Kerry Rolph, BVM&S, CertVC, MSc (Epi), PhD, FANZCVS (Feline Chapter), DipECVIM-Ca FRCVS

Dr. Kerry Rolph is Professor of Small Animal Medicine and Chair of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at the University of Minnesota. She is an internationally recognized specialist in feline and small animal internal medicine, with a career spanning academia, clinical practice, and research leadership.

Dr. Kerry Rolph has held senior academic and leadership roles across institutions, including Head of Department and research center director, where she has led strategic initiatives in curriculum innovation, faculty development, and research growth.

Her research focuses on feline medicine, infectious and inflammatory diseases, and veterinary education, supported by extensive publication, grant activity, and international collaboration.

A Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and board-certified specialist, she is passionate about mentorship, advancing evidence-based veterinary practice, and fostering inclusive, collaborative academic environments.

• Research strategy, curriculum development, and faculty mentorship
• Clinical reasoning and veterinary education
• Feline medicine and internal medicine
• Infectious and inflammatory diseases in companion animals

• RUSVM Distinguished Teacher of the Year (Zoetis), 2024
• EDGE International Women’s Day “Shero” Recognition Award, 2021
• Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 2021
• ANZCVS Certificate of Appreciation (Feline Medicine Examiner), 2022, 2023,
• Specialist in Feline Medicine (RCVS), 2021-2026

Dr. Kerry Rolph’s research focuses on feline medicine, with particular emphasis on infectious, inflammatory, and cardiac diseases, as well as advancing veterinary education and clinical reasoning training. Her work integrates clinical research with educational innovation, aiming to improve patient outcomes and enhance learning experiences for veterinary students.

• Safari, S., Rolph K.E., Bouillon J., Robinson, C., Cavanaugh, R.P., Enhanced student-perceived confidence and experience with an advanced oncology elective using oncology-based sub-competencies; Journal of Veterinary Medical Education (2026) DOI: 10.3138/jvme-2025-0040 
• Rolph MJ, Bolfa P, Hilchie D, Cavanaugh S, Rolph K.E., Development of a fluorescence in situ hybridization protocol for use with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of feline heart, liver and kidney, Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation (2026):10406387261432648, doi: 10.1177/10406387261432648
• Rolph M.J., Bolfa, P., Cavanaugh, S., Hilchie, D., Rolph, K.E., Detection of Intracellular Bacteria in Feline Inflammatory Cardiac, Hepatic and Renal Diseases: A Retrospective Study Using Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH), Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2026) 28(3):1098612X251396969, doi: 10.1177/1098612X251396969
• Rolph K.E., McBride M., Rawlins-Vaughan G., Cavanaugh, S., Kemper, R.T., Bolfa, P., Suspected calcitriol-mediated hypercalcaemia and postmortem diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma in a dog; Journal of Small Animal Practice: May 2025: DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.70104
• Alonso, F.H., Fenton, H., Muller, A., Freeman, M.A., Becker, A.A.M.J., Rolph, K.E., Abramo, N., Rawlins, G., Kitson, L., Kessel, E., Thrall, M.A., Disseminated Cladophialophora bantiana phaeohyphomycosis in a dog with hepatic dysfunction, and concurrent ehrlichiosis; Frontiers Veterinary Science: Aug 2024: DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1451299
• Bucknoff, M.C. & Rolph K.E., Splenic Torsion in a Cat with Chronic Anemia; Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery: Open Reports: Jan 2024: doi: 10.1177/20551169231216406 
• Rolph M.J., Bolfa P., Cavanaugh S.M. & Rolph K.E., Fluorescent in situ hybridization for the detection of intracellular bacteria in companion animals: Veterinary Sciences: Jan 2024: doi: 10.3390/vetsci11010052
• Biancaniello, C.M., Rolph, K.E., Cavanaugh, S.M., Karnik, P., Peda, A., Cavanaugh, R.P., Readability of postoperative discharge instructions is associated with complication rate in companion animals undergoing sterilization: Jan 2024: Veterinary Record: doi: 10.1002/vetr.3796
• Rolph, K.E., Ryan, J., Yool, D., Liuiti T., Resolution of megaoesophagus after correction of a paraoesophageal hernia; Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, Open Reports, Sept 2023: 10.1177/20551169231199451
• King A., Rolph K.E., Dzikiti L., Cavanaugh S.M., Overall good agreement of smartphone-based and standard base-apex electrocardiography in healthy sheep; Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, May 2023: doi: 10.2460/javma.23.02.0126
• Rolph K.E., King, A., Larde, H., Kim, S., Ragland, N., Herve Claude, L.P., French, H., Gilbert, R.O., Critique of approaches for evaluating teaching and proposal for a new Institutional Policy; Journal of Veterinary Medical Education: March 2023: doi: 10.3138/jvme-2022-0072
• Rolph K.E. & Cavanaugh S.M., Review of Pulmonary Hypertension in the Cat; Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, (2023): doi: 10.1177/1098612X221127233
• Rolph K.E. & Cavanaugh R.P., Infectious Causes of Neoplasia in the Domestic Cat. Veterinary Sciences. (2022); 9(9):467. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9090467
• Rolph K.E., Vidana, B., Field, E., Giant Splenic Myelolipoma in a Cat with Hyperthyroidism; Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery: Open Reports 2022; DOI: 10.1177/2055116922112788925
• Rolph K.E, Cavanaugh S.M., Wilson, H.E., First report of canine hepatic carcinoma occurring in a
  clinical case of Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1a., Journal of Small Animal Practice (2022): DOI:
  10.1111/jsap.13494

Dr. Kerry Rolph’s clinical interests include feline and small animal internal medicine, with a focus on infectious, inflammatory, and cardiopulmonary disease, and the application of clinical reasoning to complex case management.