Dr. Pam Clark’s path to veterinary school wasn’t traditional or easy, but it was driven by unwavering determination. As a young girl, Pam dreamed of becoming an “animal doctor,” and growing up in Southern California, UC Davis was the only realistic option for veterinary school as out-of-state tuition was financially impossible. Pam excitedly wrote to UC Davis veterinary school during high school, only to be discouraged when a letter came back telling her, “don’t even bother applying, we don’t take women” (which, in reality, they did—just very rarely). 

Little did she know at the time, Pam would eventually graduate from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1985, which was the first-year women DVM grads outnumbered men.

Upon learning vet school was “out of the question,” Pam instead explored other careers and met her husband, Bill, while living in the San Bernardino mountains. After a while in other jobs, Pam felt a strong desire to try something different. Her loving husband encouraged her, despite listing all the reasons for why it wouldn’t be feasible—cost, time, intelligence—to “just try” for vet school. Pam says he was her biggest supporter, encouraging her every step of the way. 

Pam began taking courses at Crafton Hills College while working full-time where she aced English, Chemistry, and Algebra courses, proving to herself that she was capable. The couple later moved to Napa so Pam could continue her undergraduate education at Sonoma State University. 

When the time came and she was applying for vet school, Pam recalls her friends telling her, “if you get a small envelope, that means no, but a large one has all the papers inside and means yes!” When the long-awaited UC Davis admissions letter arrived, it was a small envelope—usually a sign of rejection. Afraid to open it, she handed it to her husband, who read the words, “We are pleased…” before she could process the excitement. She had made it!

UC Davis: Tragedy, Trials and Triumphs

Pam’s years at UC Davis were transformative. A life-altering event during her junior year, the tragic death of her husband’s middle son, caused Pam to nearly drop out and give up. She was traumatized and went to the Dean’s Office begging them to give her time off to grieve. But Pam persevered and managed to get through the remainder of the year.

One of her most memorable moments was in sophomore surgery, where, as the lead surgeon, she had to remove a lung lobe. As the procedure took a nerve-wrecking turn with excessive bleeding, she found herself in a moment of sheer panic. With steady hands and quick intervention from a faculty member, they successfully completed the surgery—a defining experience in her training.

Pam also fondly remembers “Hat Day,” an annual tradition led by Dr. Joann, despite not being a fan of hats at the time and having to borrow a hat from friends for the event. Ironically, her husband later bought her a hat she liked, and she now has a collection of over 35 displayed on a custom-built wall in her home (see photo).

While at UC Davis, Pam pursued the equine track but later realized that small animal medicine was a better fit. The unpredictability of working with backyard horse owners—late payments, unruly animals, and the physical toll—led her to shift to small animal practice after graduation.
 

Building a Thriving Career

Pam’s veterinary journey after graduation led her to Bullhead City, Arizona—picked for the river and water skiing—where she built a successful small animal practice. She initially worked for a practice owner she didn’t trust and knew she would never partner with. A year later, she was bringing in more business than he was, making $1,500 a day compared to the $350 needed to break even. She offered to buy him out and when he refused to sell, she waited—eventually receiving an offer from another veterinary practice up for sale, making it an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. 

The new location gave her the opportunity to grow and expand but when the lease came up, the lot owners once again didn’t want to sell to her. Then 60 days later she learned they had sold to someone else and she would have to leave. Again, Pam found another space close by had to make another move. With only 15 days to turn over the new space, she transformed a small two-exam-room building into a working veterinary practice and a full-fledged hospital over the next decade. Convincing her husband that a larger hospital was worth the investment took five years, but in the end, they built a 6,300 sq. ft. facility.

Pam endured over the years, with her husband by her side as her “Executive Gofer.” When he passed away in 2007, the business lost its luster for Pam as she was now managing both of their roles and felt like a fish out of water. Eventually, Dr. William Dean came along and made her an offer she couldn’t refuse; purchasing the hospital and ultimately firing her, which actually relieved Pam and allowed her to retire at 62—despite being told she never would.
 

A Life of Travel and Giving Back

Retirement opened a new chapter for Pam. She spent four years travelling full-time, spending nearly a month in each state and exploring the country in an RV. Travelling with her for the first year was her dog Dingo and cat Sass who lived to 17 ½ and 15 respectively. Her adventures have taken her to incredible places, with Iowa surprisingly standing out for its notably well-organized visitor’s center.

Throughout her career and retirement, Pam has remained deeply connected to UC Davis. She believes in giving back and loves getting to see where her money can make a difference. Recently, she established an endowed scholarship fund in her and her late husband’s name (the Pam F. Clark DVM '85 & Bill Clemens Scholarship Endowment). “It only costs you $50K to have a scholarship in your name. I’m retired, I did well, now I get to help the next generation,” Pam explains. She challenges her classmates in the Class of 1985, who are celebrating their 40^th reunion this fall, to “Step up, get with the program, and give back!”

Pam’s journey—from a young girl who was told vet school wasn’t an option, to a self-made practice owner, and now a retired adventurer—serves as an inspiration to all aspiring veterinarians. “It’s been an amazing life,” she reflects. “You get to save lives. What more could you ask for?”