CVM Alum Finalist for “America’s Top Veterinarian”
The College of Veterinary Medicine regularly turns out top-notch graduates, but soon one of its alumni could become “America’s Top Vet.”
Page Wages, a 2005 graduate, is on the staff at Raleigh’s CareFirst Animal Hospital, where she first started as a technician while still a student at NC State.
In addition to her duties at CareFirst, where she is one of five members of the practice, Wages actively volunteers with Second Chance Spay Day, a monthly event when as many as 75 pets are spayed and neutered.
Every summer for the last decade, Wages has joined NC State adjunct professor Sam Galphin in taking a group of vet students on a two-week Christian Veterinary Mission to such places as Alaska and the Navajo Nation and Cherokee Nation in the Southwest. While there, they provide preventive veterinary services for sheep, cattle, horses and small animals.
Wages is one of 20 finalists chosen from more than 700 nominations for the second-annual award, which is given by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation to identify and celebrate extraordinary professionals in all areas of veterinary medicine. Profile story on WTVD.
The winner will be chosen through online voting which ends on Sept. 1. Voters can cast one ballot per day through the duration of the contest.
The following is from the Finalist Profile page for Dr. Wages
[section_subtitle]Why I became a veterinarian: [/section_subtitle]
My journey to become a veterinarian wasn’t as straightforward as some. Growing up, I knew I was going to go into medicine of some sort. Florence Nightingale was my hero and I read all the books I could find about her. I kept an emergency kit in my room and would practice on my brothers and sisters. My parents also claim that I had an affinity for animals. I have always loved animals and could often be found in the petting zoo when I wasn’t working at our family amusement park. Once I got to my undergraduate college, I spent as much time as I could learning about the body and the biology and physics of how everything worked together. It wasn’t until I started volunteering at a local veterinarian a few times a week and working on my research with rats did I realize Veterinary Medicine was the field for me. I applied to several veterinary schools and was accepted! The greatest adventure of my life then commenced as I started my career in veterinary medicine. If anyone ever felt suited for their place in life it’s me; I have such a peace about where I am and what I am doing. I truly believe God built me to be a small animal veterinarian. 
[section_subtitle] Why I am passionate about veterinary medicine: [/section_subtitle]
Do you know the feeling that you get when you find yourself in the right place at the right time and there is a peace in your heart? That is how I feel about my job. To me, it isn’t a job, it is who I am. I love my clients as my own family. I love their pets and treat them as I would my own. I thrive on the challenges faced on a daily basis and the unpredictable schedule from midnight emergencies, to routine ultrasounds, surgeries, and puppy appointments. I absolutely love what I do, and I am so grateful to have been given the gifts of healing, both pets and humans hearts. I think the human-animal bond is so important, and being a facilitator of such loving relationships is just a privilege.
[section_subtitle] Why I was nominated to be America’s Favorite Veterinarian: [/section_subtitle]
“Dr. Page Wages has an unsurpassed dedication to pets and people. She is always available and happy to help in any situation, never complaining and constantly smiling. Her genuine love of animals and helping is evident in everything she does, from her routine “day job” as a veterinarian to her mission trip work with the Christian Veterinary Mission, traveling to Alaska, the Cherokee Nation, and the Navajo Nation. Clients describe her as one of the family and her team members thoroughly enjoy working with her. Dr. Wages also has a passion for teaching others about our amazing profession. She routinely takes her “small farm” of animals, including dogs, a pig, chickens, and rabbits to area elementary and middle schools to talk to students about veterinary medicine. She travels to her undergrad alma mater to speak with science students about career choices. Frequently North Carolina State University undergraduate students and NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine students shadow her at the hospital, getting a hands-on view of the veterinary world. She takes the time to explain what she is doing and why, which not only helps the students but the clients too! As a long-time technician and friend of Dr. Wages, I am awed by her ability, passion, and caring. She is the epitome of veterinary medicine and a great candidate for the American’s Favorite Veterinarian award. Thank you for the consideration.” –Heather
