10/11/2026
Human, animal, and environmental health are inextricably linked. That's why we welcome Harvard Medical School students to rotate through our zoos for a One Health elective at Zoo New England. Med students are introduced to the concept that collaboration across multiple disciplines can benefit the health of humans, animals, and our shared ecosystems.
With interests in internal medicine and infectious disease, future physician Maddy Kline recently completed the One Health elective. She spent a month with our veterinary teams conducting routine exams, tracking turtles through wetlands, learning about biodiversity and ecosystem health, and discovering how treating animals differs from—and is similar to—caring for humans. "I was interested to learn about the types of infections that different species of animals are susceptible to, and how alterations to habitats increase spillover of infections between animals and people. It was also exciting to learn that there are routinely administered vaccines for infections like West Nile virus and Lyme disease for animals that we don’t have yet for humans."
Zoo New England was the first in the country to create this type of formal One Health medical elective in. By continuing to promote the One Health concept through programs like this, Zoo New England facilitates collaboration across all disciplines to deepen understanding, gaining valuable insights and to ensure the best health for all – humans, animals, and the environment.
Maddy walked away with a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of the planet’s incredible diversity and healthy ecosystems. "Promoting a healthier environment that makes animals and humans healthier is a noble end to work towards.”
