Spotlight: Maya Meeks, LVT RLAT
On this Fabulous Friday of National Veterinary Technician Week, we are so excited to spotlight Maya Meeks, LVT RLAT. Senior Research Specialist and Diagnostics Laboratory Supervisor at Emory University’s Division of Animal Resources, eco warrior, and inspirational human - please welcome Maya to the chat 💬
"I didn’t choose veterinary medicine. It chose me. While in college, I was working as a farm hand, knee-deep in hay and hoofbeats, when I realized something profound: I had a calling. That realization led me to transfer to the Bel Rea Institute, where I was introduced to the wild, unpredictable world of emergency vet med. For the first ten years of my career, I thrived in the fast-paced environment of veterinary emergency. Every day presented a new challenge. Calm had to be created in the middle of chaos. It was there, amid the adrenaline and urgency, that I discovered my love for teaching and mentoring. Helping a new vet tech find their footing during a critical case was gratifying. Those moments taught me resilience and adaptability. It was rewarding to watch coworkers grow into their confidence. These experiences shaped everything I’ve done since.
Today, I work as a Senior Research Specialist and Diagnostics Laboratory Supervisor at Emory University’s Division of Animal Resources. Over the past 15 years, my journey at Emory has taken me from managing biosecurity for over 150,000 animals to leading LEAN process improvement initiatives. Somewhere along the way, I realized that process improvement is my happy place. Where others see spreadsheets and protocols, I see puzzles waiting to be solved.
A few of my most proud career accomplishments reflect the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and care for both animals and people. I helped launch a bicycle fleet for our veterinary team, making it easier for them to travel across campus while reducing emissions and adding a little joy to their daily routine. I also led efforts to make our animal facilities nearly landfill-free. On the operational side, I’ve streamlined billing systems, revamped sanitation processes for over 250 labs, and helped make our workflows smoother and more intuitive. These initiatives weren’t just about efficiency, they were/are about making life easier for the people doing the difficult work every day. I’ve also had the honor of sharing our sustainability journey at regional and national conferences, connecting with others who are passionate about making science more environmentally responsible. But beyond the data, the rats and the mice, and the process maps, what really matters to me is people. I take pride in being a safe space for my colleagues. Providing a place where coworkers can process work and life without fear of judgment. Sometimes, all someone needs is a moment of respite during times of sadness, anxiety, indecision, or chaos. If I can provide that, then I’ve done something worthwhile.
My goal is to create a culture where people feel valued, respected, and supported, because I know firsthand how much that matters in our field of work. What keeps me showing up every day is the animals, the science, and the people. Working in the veterinary field still lights me up after two decades.”
Thank you for all that you do Maya, this world is a better place because you are in it ❤️
