Veterinarian Elizabeth Million promotes the licensing assessments needed for ensuring newcomers to her field are successful and that they, in turn, can do their best to protect animal health and well-being.
She’s one in a million! Elizabeth Johnson Million, a 2012 graduate of the Herbert College of Agriculture with a degree in animal science and 2016 graduate of the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, has been busy over the past seven years.
Million launched into a demanding animal practice outside Houston, Texas, working as an associate veterinarian, following her graduation from the college. However, the world of academia called to her, and Million began serving in a unique role as the first assistant dean of student success at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee. Within this role, Million served as the primary student administrative contact, a liaison between exam services and student services, and the director of academic support. Million also oversaw North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) preparation initiatives; led weekly meditation sessions and direct wellness initiatives; and served on the admissions committee, outcomes committee, and campus threat assessment committee. She was also an instructor for clinical and professional skills courses and served as the NAVLE prep rotation course director.
In 2019, Million moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and, together with the International Council for Veterinary Assessment’s chief executive officer, created a role centered around improving the NAVLE and assessment-related outreach for all veterinary students, licensing candidates, and council stakeholders. Successful completion of the exam is required to practice veterinary medicine in all jurisdictions in the United States and Canada. Within this role, Million and her team launched the council’s YouTube channel and created new video content for all stakeholders, including state licensing boards. She also presented on the examinations virtually and in-person to more than thirty veterinary colleges in the US, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Million continues to make the University of Tennessee proud. In 2021, she was honored as a member of the Volunteer 40 Under 40 class, which recognizes forty alumni under the age of forty who have excelled personally and professionally since graduating from the university. In addition, Million also was awarded the UT Institute of Agriculture Horizon Award in 2021, which recognizes young alumni who have already had an incredible impact on the field of agriculture.
Million was promoted recently to a new role within the international council. She now serves as director of veterinary outreach, which allows her to focus on strategic outreach, planning, and organizational advocacy as it relates to the council’s assessments but especially the licensing examination. In addition, Million works closely with the veterinarians who serve as subject matter experts and volunteer on council committees. Million also serves as an associate veterinarian with the Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and works alongside four other veterinarians in the greater Knoxville area to provide end-of-life care to companion animals.
Million’s personal life has also been busy. In 2021, she and her husband welcomed a daughter and decided they wanted to be closer to their extended family in Knoxville, Newport, and Johnson City. The trio relocated from Atlanta to Knoxville in 2022 and say they have enjoyed being back in East Tennessee. Since returning to Knoxville, Million has been invited to speak to first- and second-year UT veterinary students in the professional skills, well-being and ethics course. Million says she is proud to see how that course has evolved and how the administration and faculty have integrated well-being into the curriculum since her time as a student.
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