Dr. Kamaria Catalan

Applied Scientist of the Year

Dr. Kamaria Catalan, more famously known as “Dr. Cat,” is the proud owner and founder of Rover the Rhine Veterinary Hospital in Cincinnati, OH. Honored as Applied Scientist of the Year, Dr. Cat has dedicated her life to advancing veterinary medicine while serving her community with compassion and innovation.

Her journey began with a childhood dream to become a veterinarian, fueled by her Detroit upbringing, which gave her Motor-City drive, and her undergraduate years at Howard University, which instilled in her the signature Howard hustle. After earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Michigan State University, Dr. Cat moved to Cincinnati, where she built her career from the ground up. She started her practice singlehandedly as a house call veterinarian—armed only with a minivan and a tackle box—and grew it into a thriving full-service hospital.

Today, Rover the Rhine offers preventative care, surgery, hospitalization, daytime urgent care, boarding, daycare, acupuncture, and yes—Dr. Cat still makes house calls.

With Black veterinarians representing less than 2% of the profession, Dr. Cat has made it her mission to open doors and create pathways for the next generation. She has mentored countless aspiring veterinarians, many of whom are now practicing doctors.

She has also served as president of the Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association and continues to give back as a board member of the Mayor’s Animal Task Force. Dr. Cat’s story is one of perseverance, entrepreneurship, and purpose. She is a shining example of what it means to turn a childhood dream into a lifelong legacy.