Veterinary program allotted $1 million in recent federal funding bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legislation signed into law in late March by President Joe Biden that included some $2.5 million for Crisfield’s City Dock and stabilization of the former Gunter …
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Veterinary program allotted $1 million in recent federal funding bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legislation signed into law in late March by President Joe Biden that included some $2.5 million for Crisfield’s City Dock and stabilization of the former Gunter Brothers Hardware building also had $1.071 million for the fledgling veterinary medicine program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
The funds for this fiscal year were among the university’s requests to U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen to help establish the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program which would make UMES the second Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the country and the first in Maryland to offer such a program.
Graduates will be prepared for careers in both pet and agricultural veterinary services.
“This funding continues the strong momentum we are experiencing as we continue to take the steps necessary to achieve accreditation for this historic program,” said UMES President Heidi M. Anderson. “It’s an investment by the federal government in our endeavor, and we are deeply grateful to Senators Cardin and Van Hollen for their crucial support in making this happen. Their efforts will benefit UMES and the communities we serve with a School of Veterinary Medicine.”
On average 20 students now follow a pre-veterinary track, “then they have to go out-of-state” to get their doctorate. “This program would keep that from happening,” Dr. Anderson said.
Once a student is enrolled the degree will be obtainable in three years which is the same as what it takes at UMES to earn degrees in physical therapy, pharmacy and physician assistant.
Until the second phase of construction to expand the Pharmacy and Health Professions building is completed classroom and clinical space will be in various locations on campus.
There will not be a teaching hospital so UMES will partner with national corporations like Mars Veterinary Health and Idexx Veterinary Services so students can complete clinical rotations.
The only other HBCU offering veterinary medicine is Tuskegee University, which is a private institution.
