Lydia Carpenter

Lydia Carpenter is a Veterinary Medical Officer (VMO) working for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS).1 Here are some key details about her:

Professional Background

Lydia holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. She is also a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (DACVPM).23

Current Role and Responsibilities

As a VMO at USDA APHIS, Lydia's primary responsibilities include:

• Assisting with the regulation of certain animal species entering and leaving the US through O'Hare International Airport in Chicago1
• Co-managing USDA activities at the international equine import quarantine and two livestock export facilities near O'Hare1
• Reviewing and endorsing international health certificates for animals departing from the US1
• Conducting exams and inspections for animal imports and exports1

Notable Experiences

1. COVID-19 Vaccination Effort: Lydia deployed for 3 weeks to assist with human vaccinations in Oklahoma.1

2. Emergency Coordinator in Puerto Rico: She completed a 60-day detail working on cattle fever tick eradication, natural disaster preparedness, and African Swine Fever prevention.1

3. Virulent Newcastle Disease Outbreak: During her 4th year of veterinary school, Lydia assisted with the vND outbreak response in southern California.1

Educational Background

Lydia received her veterinary education from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.24

Professional Interests

Lydia's work focuses on the intersection of veterinary medicine and public health, emphasizing the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to population health for both humans and animals.1