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We are heartbroken by the loss of Animal Medical Clinic’s owner and long-term leader, Dr. Jan Whitman. She passed away in her home Saturday, September 14th in the presence of her family and beloved Irish Setter after multiple battles with cancer.
Education and the care for animals was a life-long passion for Dr. Whitman. At just five years old, she decided that she would become a veterinarian. In 1977 she graduated from the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine just two years after the first female graduate and as one of only twenty women in her class.
Dr. Whitman was known for her generosity, kindness, compassion, and thoughtfulness. In 1983, Dr. Whitman joined the Animal Medical Clinic family and truly embodied the clinic’s motto: “Let us treat your pet like family.” She never stopped striving to be the very best veterinarian she could be - committed to her own life-long learning and education; while always taking the extra time to ensure patients and their owners were treated with dignity, love, and respect. Dr. Whitman relished any opportunity to answer questions, especially enjoying opportunities to engage children in the veterinary process by having them listen through a stethoscope or bringing them back to the lab to look through the microscope.
When asked about her favorite things to do as a veterinarian, Dr. Whitman would often speak of three things:
- Puppy Visits: Because she loved “puppy breath”
- Surgeries: As she loved “solving the puzzle” with precision and expertise
- Education: She always took the time to ensure owners had all the information to understand the choices for their animal’s care, share her knowledge with fellow veterinarians and staff, and she remained fascinated by current research and growth in the field
Dr. Whitman was also a dedicated mother to her only daughter, Bryna, who grew up spending many afternoons at the clinic, beloved grandmother (“Amma”) to her two grandchildren, and oldest sister of four very close siblings. She was her daughter’s “rock” and best friend, the “squad leader” for her siblings, and ever-present playmate and snuggler for her grandkids. She was the proud owner of seven Irish Setters throughout her lifetime and active member of the Irish Setter Club of Minnesota. She loved the breed and devoted time to training and showing her beloved dogs. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Whitman was often found on long walks with her dogs, enjoying the water or a good mystery up at her family’s lake cabin, trying out a new recipe or restaurant with her friends, and spending lots of quality time with her family. She loved starting each day with a crossword or a sudoku just to ensure “her brain had woken up and was ready for the day”.
It was very important to Dr. Whitman that Animal Medical Clinic is independently and locally owned, as it has been for over 50 years. The clinic will continue to be open for regular business hours as we proceed with transitioning ownership to our associate veterinarians and serve our local community upholding the values cemented by both Dr. Milton Crenshaw and Dr. Whitman.
A Celebration of Dr. Whitman’s life will be held Saturday, September 28th from 12-3pm at Willweschied Funeral Home (1167 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105).
In the meantime, if you have any favorite memories of or stories about Dr. Whitman please share them in the comments.
Dr. Whitman Stories
Contact Us
Our Location
234 S. Snelling Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
Phone/Text/Fax
P: (651) 690-1564 | T: (651) 690-1564 | F: (651) 698-9595
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