The interest from the Gentle Doctor Benefit endowment provides significant scholarships to two incoming students. Additionally, the college provides $100 scholarships to each member of the incoming class.

Published 4/7/25
Story contact: Nicholas Childress, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu
Photo and video by Karen Clifford

First-year students Olivia Jacobson and Jada Sievers have been named this year’s recipients of the Gentle Doctor Benefit (GDB) scholarships. As one of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine’s most enduring traditions, the GDB celebrates the future of veterinary medicine by raising funds to support student success. Through its endowed scholarships, the GDB helps attract outstanding students and eases the financial demands of veterinary school — investing in the next generation of compassionate, skilled veterinarians.

Photo gallery: 2025 Gentle Doctor Benefit

Learn more about the Class of 2028 recipients

Olivia Jacobson

For Olivia Jacobson, attending veterinary school at Mizzou felt like a natural next step. Originally from St. Louis, she first came to Mizzou for her undergraduate degree and found a job within the Veterinary Health Center, where she gained valuable hands-on experience. Now a first-year veterinary student, Jacobson is continuing her journey at the place that first inspired her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

One of the biggest draws for her was Mizzou’s distinctive two-and-two curriculum model. “Mizzou’s vet school stands out because of its distinctive two-and two program, which allows students to spend their first two years building a strong foundation in the classroom before transitioning into hands-on clinical training,” Jacobson said. “This structure provides invaluable real-world experience in the hospital setting, ensuring we’re well-prepared for our future careers.”

Jacobson is passionate about small animal medicine and plans to pursue an internship and residency after earning her DVM. Outside the classroom, she’s an active member of both the Anesthesia Club and the Small Animal Critical Care Club, seeking opportunities to expand her skills beyond the standard curriculum.

When she’s not studying or volunteering, Jacobson enjoys outdoor walks, spending time in nature and experimenting with new recipes — often bringing homemade dishes to school or work to share.

Jacobson said receiving this scholarship so early in her veterinary education has been a relief and a meaningful affirmation of her path. “Receiving this scholarship has allowed me to focus on my studies without the added financial stress,” she said. “It’s reinforced the fact that Mizzou is where I’m meant to be — surrounded by a supportive community that truly make it feel like home.”

Jada Sievers

From volunteering during a leptospirosis outbreak at an animal shelter to earning a master’s in veterinary public health, Jada Sievers’ has taken a nontraditional — and deeply purposeful — path to veterinary school. Now a first-year student at the CVM, she’s eager to explore a wide range of career possibilities that blend her passions for clinical medicine and public health.

Originally from Northern California, Sievers earned her undergraduate degree from South Dakota State University, where she also played collegiate volleyball. She went on to earn her master’s degree in veterinary public health at Mizzou — a program that solidified her desire to stay for veterinary school. “I was very happy with my master’s program and felt well-supported through it,” she said. “That experience and the sense of community at the CVM made Mizzou stand out among my options for veterinary school.”

Since starting vet school, Sievers has wasted no time getting involved. She’s a member of the Emergency and Critical Care Club and is participating in the Veterinary Research Scholars Program, where she plans to focus on ophthalmology.

Outside the classroom, Sievers enjoys playing beach volleyball and spending time with her four pets — cats Cowboy Cat and Pebbles, and dogs Sandy Beaches and Kane. In fact, it was the care her own animals received that first sparked her interest in vet med.

“Veterinarians made a huge impact on my dogs’ lives — especially Sandy, who wasn’t doing well when I first adopted her,” Sievers said. “The compassion and dedication those veterinarians showed were incredibly inspiring. They were heroes to me.”

Sievers said receiving the GDB scholarship has been a meaningful step on her journey. “Vet school is expensive, and growing up in a family that struggled financially made the idea of grad school feel daunting,” she said. “This scholarship allows me to follow my dreams with less stress. I hope everyone who supports the Gentle Doctor Benefit knows what an incredible impact they’re making.”

Though she’s still exploring her future, Sievers is excited by the many directions veterinary medicine can take her — from small animal practice to research to public health and beyond.