News from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges

February 2018

Noted Educator Freeman Hrabowski to Address Conference

One of the most dynamic leaders in contemporary higher education will be featured during the AAVMC's Annual Conference March 2-4, 2018 in Washington, D.C. University of Maryland - Baltimore County (UMBC) President Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski will address conference attendees on Friday, March 2 during the 1:30 p.m. session. Dr. Hrabowski has served as UMBC's president since 1992. His leadership in education administration, innovation and Science,Technology Engineering and Math (S.T.E.M) promotion for African Americans and others has garnered international recognition. Learn more.

2017-18 Annual Data Report Published

The 2017-2018 Annual Data Report has been published. For the first time, the report has been produced on a dynamic, interactive software platform that enables users to view data based upon specific parameters they wish to investigate. Previously, the report featured static infographics presented on a pdf. In addition to the new data visualization format, the report is the most extensive report the AAVMC has ever produced and includes several components. Published annually, the ADR is designed to serve as a statistical portrait of academic veterinary medicine for a variety of audiences. Learn more.

Veterinary Wellbeing Summit April 15-17, 2018 in Chicago

Health and wellness issues remain a vital concern for all members of the veterinary medical community, from students to practitioners, and leading organizations in the profession are taking action to address the problem. AVMA, AAVMC and Zoetis will join forces to present the " Veterinary Wellbeing Summit 2018" April 15-17 at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg. This year's summit will convene a variety of leaders within the veterinary medical community and other health professions to focus on strategies and resources for establishing a culture of wellbeing throughout the profession. This is the fifth major symposium focused on mental health and wellness that the AAVMC and Zoetis have presented. The AAVMC has led efforts to recognize and address health and wellness issues on campus, as the challenges and stresses rooted in student life often follow them into professional life. Learn more.

AAVMC Hosts Webinars on Preparing for Veterinary Medical School

The AAVMC recently kicked off a new round of webinars designed to inform prospective veterinary medical students about what they need to do to prepare for veterinary school. "The Road the Veterinary School" webinars are designed for freshman and sophomore undergraduate (pre-vet) students. They help prepare them for the Veterinary Medical School Application Service (VMCAS) application and learn more about what they should be doing during their early undergraduate careers leading up to professional school. The series began in January and will continue through April before switching to webinars that focus more on the logistics of filling out a VMCAS application. Learn more.

Grant Cycle Open for NIH-Funded "This is How We Role" Diversity and Inclusion Program

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has announced the 2018 funding opportunity for U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine to participate in their innovative "This Is How We "Role" nationwide pipeline program. The after-school role modeling program is supported by the National Institutes of Health's Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program. The program focuses on students in grades K-4 who are educationally disadvantaged because of socioeconomic status, race, or ethnicity and is designed to address the challenge of diversifying the veterinarian-scientist workforce. Six grants of $5,000 each will be awarded during the cycle, and applications are due April 16, 2018. Learn more.

Ohio Economic Impact Study Demonstrates Value of Profession, Academic Veterinary Medicine

A new economic impact study demonstrates that the veterinary medical profession and the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine combine to account for more than 23,000 Ohio jobs, which generate more than $800 million in wages. It also shows that the total contribution of veterinary medicine in Ohio exceeds $2.4 billion. When the models are extended to include agriculture and broader animal related industries, those figures soar to 93,000 jobs, $3.7 billion in total wages and $13 billion in economic impact. AAVMC member institutions with materials that demonstrate the economic contributions made by their schools and colleges are invited to share them with Kevin Cain ( [email protected]) or Jeff Douglas ( [email protected]). Learn more.

USDA NIFA Teaching Excellence Awards Deadline March 15, 2018

Nominations for the National Awards for Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences Program are being accepted by the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The nomination period closes March 15, 2018. Launched in 1992, this program recognizes outstanding college professors of agriculture, natural resources, veterinary and human sciences. This year, a new category of awards will be presented. The "Teaching and Student Engagement" awards will honor faculty with very high teaching and advising responsibilities and minimal research requirements. Learn more.

Dog Lover Bestows $50 Million Transformational Gift Upon Oregon State University CVM

A $50 million gift to Oregon State University will create The Gary R. Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine at the 43 year-old college of veterinary medicine in Corvallis. Carlson, a Portland native and 1974 OSU alumnus who built a distinguished career as a physician, said the gift was inspired by his love for dogs. "The college of veterinary medicine is a vital way that OSU lives out its mission of service," said OSU President Ed Ray. "Thousands of people who have no other connection to this university seek help from our veterinary hospital." Learn more.

Perkins Replaces Whittem as Region III Director on AAVMC Board of Directors

Dr. Nigel Perkins, Head of the University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science, has been appointed to serve as the At-Large Director, Region III (Australia, New Zealand, Asia) of the AAVMC Board of Directors. Perkins replaces Dr. Ted Whittem, whose term was truncated following his departure as Head of the Melbourne Veterinary School at the University of Melbourne (AAVMC board members are required to be serving as a member institution head during their tenure of service on the board). Learn more.

University of Melbourne Joins VMCAS

The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Melbourne in Australia is the newest veterinary medical school to join the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). That makes the University of Melbourne the third Australian veterinary school to join VMCAS. A total of 29 national schools and 10 international schools currently participate in the application service. Melbourne will begin participating during the VMCAS 2019 cycle. Learn more.