The proposed College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore has received a $1 million investment in federal funds at the request of U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin. (Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Agricultural Communications Photographer)
For the first time in its history, Maryland may soon have a full-service veterinary school.
The Maryland Board of Regents approved a proposal to open such a school at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in December and received approval from the Maryland Higher Education Agency in January.
While some hurdles remain, including gaining accreditation from the Board of Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association, UMES is moving forward with its plans and hopes to open the school in the fall of 2026.
Although the University of Maryland already offers education in veterinary medicine through a partnership with Virginia Tech, full clinical services are available only at Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus.
“This is an important opportunity for the state of Maryland, for UMES and for students who have traditionally been underrepresented in the veterinary profession,” UMES Chancellor Dr. Heidi M. Anderson said in an email in response to questions about it. school plans. “If we receive accreditation, it will be the first veterinary school in Maryland and the first of a public HBCU (historically black college or university).
“This school will play an important role in addressing the shortage of veterinarians on the East Coast and throughout Maryland,” she added. “This will open up greater opportunities for more diverse careers.”
Moses Cairo, dean of the UMES College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said demand for veterinarians is expected to grow 19 percent over the next seven years. At the same time, he added, Black veterinarians currently make up just 3 percent of the national workforce, “demonstrating a critical need for diversity.”
Last week, the school received $1 million in federal funds to build a new veterinary school. The funds come from a federal funding package passed in March and requested by Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen.
UMES, located in Princess Anne, was first founded in 1886 under the auspices of the Delaware Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It operated under various names, including Princess Anne Academy, before changing its current name in 1948, and is one of a dozen public institutions in the University System of Maryland.
School officials said the school “plans to offer a three-year veterinary program that is shorter than the traditional four years.” Once the program is up and running, the school plans to admit and eventually graduate 100 students a year, officials said.
“The goal is to use students’ time more efficiently to graduate a year earlier,” Cairo said.
“Our new veterinary school will help UMES address unmet needs on the East Coast and throughout the state,” she explained. “This program is deeply rooted in our 1890 land-grant mission and will allow us to serve farmers, the food industry and the 50 percent of Marylanders who own pets.”
John Brooks, former president of the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association and chairman of the organization’s task force on the future of Maryland veterinary education, said animal health practitioners across the state could benefit from an increase in the number of veterinarians.
“The veterinarian shortage is impacting pet owners, farmers and manufacturing businesses in our state,” Brooks said in an email response to questions. “Most pet owners face serious problems and delays when they are unable to take care of their pets in a timely manner when needed. .”
He added that the shortage is a national problem, noting that more than a dozen universities are vying for accreditation for the proposed new veterinary schools, according to the Education Council of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Brooks said his organization “sincerely hopes” that the new program will place an emphasis on recruiting students in the state and that those students “will have the desire to enter our area and remain in Maryland to practice veterinary medicine.”
Brooks said the planned schools could promote diversity in the veterinary profession, which is an added benefit.
“We fully support any initiative to increase the diversity of our profession and provide opportunities for students to enter our field, which would not otherwise improve Maryland’s veterinary workforce shortage,” he said.
Washington College announces $15 million gift from Elizabeth “Beth” Wareheim to launch […]
Some colleges are committed to providing information about the investment of college endowments in c[...]
Baltimore County Community College held its 17th annual gala April 6 at Martin’s West in Baltimore.
The Automotive Foundation partners with Montgomery County public schools and businesses to provide students with […]
Leaders of three major public school systems, including Montgomery County, categorically deny that […]
Loyola University Maryland’s Salinger School of Business and Management has been named a Tier 1 CE school […]
Listen to this article The Baltimore Museum of Art recently opened a retrospective exhibition of Joyce J. Scott […]
Listen Like it or not, Maryland is a predominantly Democratic blue state […]
Listen to this article Gazans are dying in droves as a result of the Israeli invasion. some p[...]
Listen to this article The Bar Complaints Commission publishes annual statistics on discipline, […]
Listen to this article With the passing of Doyle Nieman on May 1, Maryland lost a specialized public service […]
Listen to this article The US Department of Labor last month raised the issue[...]
Listen to this article Another Earth Day has come and gone. April 22 marks the 54th anniversary of the organization’s founding.
The Daily Record is the world’s first digital daily news publication, specializing in law, government, business, recognition events, power lists, special products, classifieds and more.
Use of this site is subject to the Terms of Use | Privacy Policy/California Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell My Information/Cookie Policy
Post time: May-14-2024