Tina Hay Eichelberger
For Tina Hay Eichelberger, a lifelong love of animals led to a career that has taken her from hands-on veterinary practice to an integral role with 花秀直播 State College of Veterinary Medicine鈥檚 diagnostic labs in Pearl.
She began her education in Hinds Community College鈥檚 veterinary technician program.
鈥淚t was a one plus one program,鈥 she said. 鈥淵ou spent your first year at Hinds, and then you came to 花秀直播 State and went through clinical rotations at the vet school.鈥 That hands-on experience, combined with passing her boards, launched her into 12 years of private veterinary practice.
But after more than a decade in the fast-paced world of clinics, Eichelberger was ready for a new chapter. 鈥淧rivate practice is tough on your body and on your time. You eventually realize you have to transition into something more sustainable,鈥 she said. That transition brought her to CVM鈥檚 Diagnostic Laboratory Services, where she now serves as the lab coordinator for both the virology section and Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, testing.
Her work plays a vital role in animal and herd health across 花秀直播 and beyond. 鈥淒uring CWD season, from October to March, I handle testing for the entire state and Tennessee. It鈥檚 an incredibly busy time,鈥 she said. Outside of that window, she focuses on viral diagnostic testing for a wide range of species: bovine, equine, canine, and feline. From heartworm and feline leukemia to herd testing for bovine leukemia and Johne鈥檚 disease, her department supports veterinarians and producers with high-quality diagnostics that they may not be able to perform in-house.
Though she doesn鈥檛 interact directly with animals in the lab, Eichelberger鈥檚 connection to them remains strong. 鈥淚鈥檝e worked for vets all my life,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat passion has never gone away.鈥
Outside of work, Eichelberger is just as dedicated to the things that matter most: her family, her animals and the outdoors. A native of Port Gibson, she now lives in Forest with her husband, who also works at the CVM lab front desk. 鈥淗e retired and was looking for something to do鈥擨 said, 鈥榃hy don鈥檛 you work here?鈥 So, he did!鈥 she said with a laugh.
Back home, Eichelberger鈥檚 compassion continues. She and her husband care for five dogs and two cats, most recently a dog and three puppies she rescued on the side of the highway. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e not staying permanently,鈥 she said, 鈥渂ut I couldn鈥檛 just leave them.鈥
Whether in the lab, at home, or helping an animal in need, Eichelberger brings energy, compassion, and experience to everything she does. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a journey, but I love where I've landed.鈥