Dr. Samantha Beaty, State Veterinarian and Assistant Commissioner for Animal Health

Dr. Samantha Beaty is responsible for protecting and monitoring animal health throughout the state in her role as State Veterinarian and Assistant Commissioner for Animal Health. She brings nearly 20 years of expertise and commitment to animal agriculture. Dr. Beaty works with veterinarians, animal pathologists, and animal disease diagnostic laboratories to identify diseases and make a definitive diagnosis in cases of animal deaths. She’s also responsible for certification and enforcement of animal health standards required for interstate commerce of livestock and livestock products.

Dr. Beaty began her career at the department in 2016 as a staff veterinarian overseeing the livestock welfare program. She was later promoted to Interim Director for the C.E. Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory. There, she served Tennessee veterinarians, animal owners, and commercial animal operations with diagnostic services.  

Before her work at the state, Dr. Beaty was an associate veterinarian in Smyrna and worked in large and mixed animal practice. Additionally, she volunteered in Botswana with the Maun Animal Welfare Society, bringing vital preventative care and disease treatment to animals in rural villages.

Dr. Beaty graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from Tennessee Tech University in 1998, then completed her degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville.

Dr. Beaty and her husband, Michael, live on a beef cattle farm in Robertson County with their daughter. She enjoys reading, gardening, and attending minor league baseball games with her family.