by Jeff Boehm, DVM

About His Story

"Kayavak's case, with its sad and startling beginning and challenging resolution, made a lasting impression on me. As an aquarium veterinarian, I consider my clients the animals and the people who care for them. This case connected me to both those groups in a powerful way."

About the Author

Jeff Boehm is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego, where he received his bachelor’s degree, and the University of California, Davis, where he received his degree in veterinary medicine. He completed an internship in small animal medicine in Southern California and then worked as a veterinary clinician at the Los Angeles Zoo. From 1992-2008, Dr. Boehm worked at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago as the Senior Vice President for Animal Health and Conservation Science and the Louis Family Conservation Chair.  In this position, he oversaw the aquarium’s veterinary division, a variety of conservation science initiatives, and a Great Lakes conservation program.  He recently joined The Marine Mammal Center as its Executive Director.  Dr. Boehm has a keen interest in aquatic conservation, specifically the role that zoos and aquariums play in fieldwork and research, and ultimately in public awareness.