Kristina Umbright has been helping to ensure our clients and patients receive the best care since she joined our team a decade ago. Kristina is currently a health records technician in our Business Office, but she has also served as a patient service coordinator for Community Practice and in roles with our Neurology and Behavior services.
Kristina was born in Pullman and both of her parents are alumni of WSU. She grew up in Clarkston and earned a degree in law enforcement from Lewis-Clark State College in 1986.
She and her husband have been together for 40 years and they have three adult children and seven grandchildren. They also have a great Pyrenees, Sasha, and four cats, Tyme, Rosemary, Basil, and Honey.
What is your typical day like at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital?
I work in the Medical Records part of the Business Office. The majority of my time is sending out medical record for patients that have recently been at the hospital. We have paper records that go back to 2010. When we get a records request we have to scan the file in and email it to the requestor. Last October we transitioned to an electronic medical records system, so for newer records it is easier to send them, but we still do a lot of scanning paper records.
What made you want to work in veterinary medicine and at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital?
I have always loved animals and enjoy working in an environment where teaching and promoting good health is a priority. I love learning new things and there is so much to learn in animal medicine!
What is your favorite thing about your job?
I love working with people, and oftentimes I may be a client’s final contact with the VTH when they request their pet’s records. I enjoy hearing what a great place the VTH is and how we were able to provide additional time with a beloved pet because of the great care that was given here. I love hearing that the care and compassion offered here made a difference and gave our clients hope! It is wonderful to be part of a team that is making a positive difference in the lives of clients from all over the country.
Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
I have an eye on retirement and spending more time gardening, reading, traveling and sailing on our sailboat around the San Juan and Gulf Islands with family and friends.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love to travel and learn about new places. My travels have taken me all over the U.S., many parts of the Caribbean, Mexico, Ecuador, Japan and Fiji. The Mediterranean is on my bucket list.
What advice would you give to pet owners?
Get Insurance on your pets! A catastrophic event can happen at any time, and it is so sad to see clients caught unprepared without funds to pay for the care their precious pet needs in an emergency. If you can’t afford Insurance, put money away every moth to pay for their care when the need arises. Free pets are the usually the most expensive, but just because you “buy” from a breeder, it doesn’t mean the pet won’t have medical problems down the road.