Meet Dr. Koll

Monique Koll was born in New Orleans, and raised ostriches and emus with her family during high school in Covington, Louisiana. There she was able to volunteer with their veterinarian, the now Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Mike Strain.  She earned her Wildlife and Fisheries BS from LSU and attended Ross University for veterinary school. Her first professional job was tracking fish on the Missouri River for USGS, and she loves to hunt and fish. Dr. Koll moved to Lafayette after the birth of her son Liam to raise him in Acadiana, and they now reside in the Woodlands, TX, where she works as a staff veterinarian for VCA Spring Animal Hospital.

Koll was a successful veterinarian, triathlete, and mother when she was hit by an unlicensed driver in 2012, breaking her neck and resulting in partial paralysis. After losing her job, racing, and whole way of life, she has regained independence and success. In 2013 she achieved national recognition when her partner pushed her wheelchair to cross the finish line at the New Orleans Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon. The Today Show and the Huffington Post, along with several others around the world, covered her story, and she walked it herself the following year (story can be seen at Determinational.) Koll has continued to cross finish lines, and her triathlon relay team received 1st place in 2014. The incident has driven her to be active in transportation safety in Acadiana. She was also the first President of Bike Walk Louisiana, the first President of the TriCajuns Triathlon Club, and the first Executive Director of BikeLafayette.

Paid for by Monique Koll, LLC

Why Am I Involved

I've never been the kind of person that can sit still! During my recovery over the last few years, I have been active in transportation safety and disabled accessibility for our area. This had led me to sitting on the City-Parish President's Awareness Committee for Citizens with Disabilities and the MPO Joint Bicycle Subcommittee. Continuing my education along this trend, I now have a position with the Metropolitan Planning Organization which covers most of the Acadiana area, and I actively educate  on transportation and safety options for our community. 

The Acadiana community has supported me so fully during my recovery that I am excited to be in a position to help those that have helped me. My involvement with transportation planning in the area has led to my attendance of several city council meetings, and to play an active role in the community and government. Learning more about the issues where I live, I am here to support and improve our community.