Dr. Kevin D. Brightbill
Dr. Kevin D. Brightbill grew up in rural central Pennsylvania on a small farmette and spent his time in FFA showing market hogs. In 1999, he graduated from PSU with his Bachelor of Science in Animal Bioscience. In 2003, he earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine with a focus in food animals.
Brightbill spent the next 13 years working for a dairy/small animal veterinary clinic, starting as an associate, then working his way up to managing partner. It was during these years that Brightbill developed his passion for dairy cattle, small ruminants and swine. His favorite parts were the monthly dairy herd health checks, building long-term relationships with producers and helping farms work through herd health challenges. He also really enjoyed working with the small animal clients and their pets. He found himself immersed in the small animal world, where he was able to refine his skillset on felines and canines.
This work paid off in 2016 when PA Governor Tom Wolf appointed Brightbill as Pennsylvania’s assistant state veterinarian for the PA Department of Agriculture, then state veterinarian in 2019. In 2017, he completed USDA APHIS training to become a foreign animal disease diagnostician. In 2020, he was elected as the president of the Northeast United States Animal Health Association representing state animal health officials throughout the northeast nationally. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Brightbill led the state response to SARS-CoV-2 in domestic animals, and fought to ensure veterinarians were recognized by the Commonwealth as being an essential part of public health. From April 2022 to March 2023, he served as the incident commander for Pennsylvania’s Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza response. Finally, before retiring in December 2024, Brightbill covered Southcentral Pennsylvania as a veterinary medical officer.
Dr. Kevin D. Brightbill says, “From an early age, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. What I did not know at that time, was that the most important and fulfilling aspect of my career would be educating others. My passion is teaching how preventative medicine and animal husbandry practices can play a role in protecting animal and public health. Sharing my knowledge and professional life experiences with the next generation of animal health professionals is where I am meant to be.”