About Dr. Jan Ramer

Dr. Jan Ramer grew up in Indiana with dogs, cats, gerbils and three sisters.  Every summer she sailed, paddled, hiked and formed lifelong friendships in the north woods of Wisconsin where her passion for the natural world germinated and developed.  After graduating from Purdue University she was an animal keeper for 12 years - first at the Indianapolis Zoo, then in the Primate Department at the Brookfield Zoo.  In 1985, while on a trip to study lemurs in Madagascar, she came to Rwanda for the first time.  She spent several days at the Karisoke Research Station where she was lucky to meet Dian Fossey, and also encountered Beethoven's Group.  She attended veterinary school at the University of Wisconsin, then was a clinician at the Wisconsin Regional Primate Center and taught at the Wisconsin Veterinary School.  Most recently Jan was an associate veterinarian at the Indianapolis Zoo.  She's had her eye on the MGVP since its inception, and with her children in college it was the perfect time to apply for the position of Regional Veterinary Manager.  She began working in this position in August 2009.  She is passionate about conservation, animal well being and veterinary medicine.  In her spare time she enjoys hiking and camping, reading and spending time with family and friends.