Dr Steven Fox

Already with a distinguished career as a veterinary surgeon, Dr Steven Fox came to New Zealand in 1989, with the goal of combining a faculty role at Massey University with academic study. While discharging his appointed duties at Massey, he concurrently worked within New Zealand, establishing Kirschner Medical Equipment, an Australasian branch for veterinary surgical supplies.

The opportunity to commence his doctorate project came when his proposal to study pain management was accepted for funding by the Morris Animal Foundation in Colorado (their first funding of an overseas research project).
This was a three-year project, which Steve combined simultaneously with Massey's Executive MBA programme. The MBA gave him a different perspective from orthopaedic surgery, and the opportunity to create a comprehensive plan for marketing the drug he was evaluating for his PhD.

Steve's New Zealand post-graduate education led directly to his position at Pfizer Animal Health (United States) as Managing Technical Services Veterinarian. At that time, Pfizer had just taken on two new pain relief drugs - the fit was obvious.

Pain management is presently a contemporary issue within animal health and Steve's career path at Pfizer Animal Health has grown, based on the foundation of his doctorate and MBA study. Pfizer Animal Health is now leading the frontier of pain relief management, and in addition to commercial interests, is exemplary in supporting education within the industry. For example, they have recently formed a Sedation and Pain Management team that will travel throughout the US visiting vet hospitals to teach techniques and discuss procedures.

While in Palmerston North, Steve totally embraced the New Zealand culture and way of life - and took New Zealand citizenship prior to returning to the United States. "There are so many resources here - yet New Zealanders are over-humbled, and too seldom flaunt their resources.

"My first overwhelming impression of New Zealanders was their personal warmth. My wife and I moved into a cul de sac location and within two days everyone in the street had come over to welcome us."

Based on his own experience, Steven recommends New Zealand for international students. "The overseas experience is exceedingly valuable. And if you're coming to New Zealand, the education is top-notch, so there's no compromise in the learning experience. You get the opportunity for exploring other mind-sets - cultural explorations as well as educational expansion.

The environment is just awesome. There is no other country that can offer such enlightening contrasts as does New Zealand, and New Zealand offers value for your money. It's a country that makes you feel welcome."