Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine will welcome more 200 participants to the fourth annual Vet School for a Day event on Wednesday, Sept. 24. This program brings select Georgia high school students to the university’s campus to learn more about careers in veterinary medicine. C. Carter Black (DVM ’68), Georgia’s state veterinarian and assistant commissioner of Animal Industry for the Georgia Department of Agriculture, will speak to the more than 175 students along with their family members and guidance counselors.
The program, held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., will include a hospital tour, a panel discussion by faculty veterinarians in a variety of specialties and the opportunity for the high school students to meet veterinary student leaders.
“Our hope is to showcase veterinary medicine as an exciting, diverse and rewarding option to students interested in a career in medicine,” said Paige Carmichael, associate dean for academic affairs. “This event has grown substantially since its first year and we believe that this increased interest reflects an increased awareness of the scope of this field of medicine.”
The faculty panel will include pathologist Corrie Brown, a specialist in bioterrorism and international veterinary medicine; Eric Mueller, chief of surgery for large animal medicine; and Margie Lee, an expert in avian medicine.
“There is an ever-increasing demand for veterinarians in all areas in which we serve society,” said Sheila W. Allen, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, “including protecting animal agriculture and the world’s food supply, maintaining the health of companion animals and fostering the human-animal bond, combating threats of bioterrorism, preserving wildlife resources, promoting a clean and healthy environment, and ensuring public health through the study, prevention, and control of infectious diseases,” said Allen.
Other panelists include Karen Cornell, small animal medicine; Steve Hernandez-Divers, zoological medicine; Sharon Crowell-Davis, small animal behavior; Lynn Reese and Laura Adam, registered veterinary technicians; and Paige Carmichael, pathology and academic affairs. Students also will learn about the high standards for admission to the College, and what they need to study to be prepared for veterinary school.
The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, founded in 1946, is dedicated to training future veterinarians, providing services to animal owners and veterinarians, and conducting investigations to improve the health of animals as well as people. The college benefits pets and their owners, food-producing animals, and wildlife by offering the highest quality hospital and diagnostic laboratory services. Equipped with the most technologically advanced facilities located on a university campus, the college is dedicated to safeguarding public health by studying emerging infectious diseases that affect both animal and human health. The college enrolls 96 students each fall out of more than 500 who apply. It has more than 130 faculty members.