WEVA Treasurer
(United States)
Dr. Julia Wilson graduated from Cornell University in 1978. She pursued an internship in large animal
medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College followed by a residency at the University of Florida. She is a
Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She served the majority of her
career as a faculty member, first at the University of Florida and then the University of Minnesota. She
now works as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine. As an academic,
beyond the joy of teaching and clinical work, her research focused on topics of neonatology,
gastroenterology and infectious diseases. Dr. Wilson has served on the Board of Directors of the
American Association of Equine Practitioners as well as on many AAEP Committees.
Dr. Wilson’s international childhood, opportunities to lecture in other countries and experience on the
Board of Directors of Heifer International led her to partner with Dr. Jay Merriam to create Equitarian
Initiative, a U.S. non-profit organization that works to improve the health and welfare of working horses,
donkeys and mules and the families that depend on them. This organization currently has programs in
nine countries. Many include collaboration with local veterinary colleges to enhance the equine
curriculum through teaching and provision of veterinary care in communities in need. She is currently on
the Board of Directors of Brooke USA Foundation, another nonprofit organization that supports working
equids. She is married to Tracy Turner, DVM, MS, DACVS, DACVSMR who shares her passion for
international service.
