The Department of Agriculture (DoA) has announced the appointment of Dr. Samantha Dorman as Acting Senior Veterinary Officer, effective July 1, 2022.

In her new role, she will responsible for the leadership and management of the Veterinary Services Section of the DoA, and for determining the Section’s key strategic priorities. She is also tasked with implementing and overseeing innovative surveillance, monitoring, and diagnostic programmes designed to protect the health and safety of humans, animals, and their shared environment.

Dr. Dorman has been employed as a Veterinary Officer with the Department for nine years. She was the DoA’s first Veterinary Officer Designate, who assumed the role of Veterinary Officer upon completion of her internship programme in 2015. After three years in farm animal clinical practice, she transitioned into a role more focused on public health and regulatory functions.

In commenting on her appointment, Director of the Department of Agriculture, Adrian Estwick stated, “Dr. Dorman is most deserving of all that she has achieved. Expectations are high as she has a lot to offer the Department and by extension the agriculture sector in the Cayman Islands”.

“Her new journey has just begun and we in the senior management team at DoA welcome her presence and enthusiasm and pledge to support and guide her as best we can, he further said.

Dr. Dorman earned her Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree from Massey University, New Zealand. She is currently completing a Master of Science in One Health at the University of Edinburgh, and is passionate about promoting awareness surrounding the interconnectedness of human health, animal health and the environment.

She is a member of the national working group for antimicrobial resistance, the Communicable Disease Surveillance Committee, and serves as the focal point for animal disease and veterinary product reporting to the World Organisation of Animal Health on behalf of the Cayman Islands.

A lifelong learner, Dr. Dorman recently completed the ILM Level 5 Certification in Leadership and Management through the Civil Service College. She serves as the Department’s LinkedIn learning champion and is passionate about the development of her staff.

Dr. Dorman expressed, “I am incredibly thankful and humbled to serve the Cayman Islands Government and the agriculture sector in this capacity. Along with my skilled and dedicated team, I am ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities to come”.