Dr. Kathy Hickey is a Kitsap County native who returned to school to follow her dream of becoming a veterinarian when her children were in grade school. She received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Washington State University, graduating summa cum laude in 2006. She worked at VCA Central Kitsap Animal Hospital from 2006 to 2017 before taking on the medical director role at Poulsbo Marina Veterinary Clinic in 2017.
Having grown up working in veterinary clinics in western Washington, it was important to her to stay connected with prior colleagues and maintain positive relationships with neighboring clinics. As a result, she founded the Peninsula Veterinary Medical Association in 2010, serving as President through 2023. The PVMA provides continuing education, social, and service opportunities for veterinarians in Kitsap, Jefferson, and Clallam counties.
Dr. Hickey served on the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association Board of Directors from 2010 to 2017 and served as President in 2016-2017. She was honored to join amazing colleagues in advocating for Washington veterinarians and considers her time on the Board to be some of the most meaningful moments of her career. She specifically enjoyed being a part of the decision and process to downsize the Board to better serve its members and be more proactive, rather than reactive. After stepping off the Board, she created and chaired the Leadership Development Committee from 2017 to 2022, which vets and appoints new leaders, ensuring the goals and priorities of the Board come to fruition.
In 2024, Dr. Hickey took on the role of AVMA Alternate Delegate and has enjoyed stepping back into volunteerism within organized veterinary medicine. She hopes to continue supporting our profession and encouraging young veterinarians to get involved.
In her free time Dr. Hickey enjoys backpacking, long-distance walks, traveling, reading, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband are thrilled to be an active part of their grandchildren’s lives
