When Maloree Barbera arrived at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary clinic in the summer of 2025, she quickly stood out. Her focus, calm approach and strong work ethic made an immediate impression on the team.
Now, as she prepares to begin her third year in Colorado State University’s veterinary program, Maloree has been chosen as the third recipient of the Megan Salzman Medica and John Kevin Medica Veterinary Scholarship.
The scholarship was established by longtime Best Friends supporter Megan Salzman Medica in memory of her late partner, John Medica. John was a technology innovator, a devoted animal lover and someone so committed to his dog that he once told Michael Dell he would only accept a job if he could bring his dog to work.
Today, the scholarship helps future veterinarians by providing up to $50,000 per year for tuition and $20,000 for living expenses. In return, recipients commit to practicing at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary clinic in Kanab, Utah, for 66 months.
A Career Rooted in Animal Welfare
Maloree’s path toward veterinary medicine began well before veterinary school. While studying at the University of Utah, she volunteered with animal shelters and rescue organizations. Those early experiences helped shape the kind of veterinarian she is becoming.
Colleagues describe her as compassionate, detail-oriented and dependable. She combines clinical ability with patience and care, staying focused on each case and making sure every task is completed.
Maloree said she has always loved animals of every kind. She also became deeply interested in environmental justice and equal access to opportunity. Those passions came together in her decision to become a veterinarian, allowing her to help animals, support conservation and expand access to care for communities in need.
Since her first summer volunteering at the Sanctuary, Maloree has returned during every school break. Over time, she has become a familiar and trusted part of the clinic team.
Judah Battista, chief Sanctuary officer, said Maloree represents exactly the kind of future veterinarian the scholarship was designed to support. He said Best Friends is honored to help her continue her training.
Helping Communities Access Veterinary Care
Maloree’s work has extended beyond the Sanctuary clinic. She has also taken part in six spay and neuter clinics through Best Friends’ Navajo Nation Outreach Program. In that role, she brought both strong clinical skills and respect for the communities she served.
One especially meaningful memory from those trips involved a puppy from the Navajo Nation named Monkey. Maloree fostered him for a month, and he eventually won over her parents, who adopted him.
Looking Toward the Future
With support from the scholarship, Maloree will be able to continue veterinary school and build a career focused on lifesaving surgery, community outreach and improving access to care.
As Judah explained, the scholarship is about more than paying for an education. It is an investment in a future where more animals receive the care they need.
Best Friends’ broader mission is to help every animal shelter in the United States reach no-kill. No-kill means saving every shelter dog and cat who can be saved while also considering public safety and quality of life.
Shelter workers cannot achieve that goal alone. It takes communities, adopters, volunteers, foster families and veterinary professionals working together. Maloree’s story is a reminder that the future of animal welfare depends on people willing to turn compassion into action.