Proposed Distributive Model Veterinary School at Murray State University E-mail-
info@kvma.org * Website-
www.kvma.org
108 Consumer Lane* Frankfort, KY 40601 502-226-5862 (KVMA)
The Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) opposes the proposed distributive model
veterinary school at Murray State University due to concerns about educational quality, faculty availability, financial sustainability, clinical training, and impact on Kentucky’s veterinary profession.
Key Concerns:
1. Quality of Education a. Murray State is proposing a distributive model school without a teaching hospital. Currently only 2 of 30 U.S. fully accredited Colleges of Veterinary Medicine use this model.
b. Of surveyed Ky Veterinarians, “only 7%... believe that the distributive model of clinical education provides the same (or better) quality of clinical education as a traditional model.” Deloitte Page 56
c. Murray State’s Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) pass rate is 57%, significantly lower than other Kentucky programs (Morehead 82%, Owensboro 75%).3-year pass rate per websites.
d. AVMA Council of Education (COE) accreditation requires an 80%+ NAVLE pass rate for veterinarians— raising doubts about Murray State’s ability to meet this standard.
e. What Murray State is currently proposing would be the lowest staffed and lowest funded veterinary school in the country per their reports.
2. Addressing Rural Veterinary Shortage
a. KVMA championed HB553 the Kentucky Veterinary Loan Repayment Program (KVLRP) in 2024 and it successfully passed into law. Currently there are 5 DVM’s working under their first year with five more expected each year for five years to come working in rural areas. Based onVSWG findings.
b. It has been proven that building a veterinary school in an agricultural state will not reduce the rural veterinary shortage. If so, there would not be over 25 student loan programs in predominantly agricultural states that currently have a traditional veterinary school. It is proven that it is a student debt to potential income earned in rural areas is what keeps veterinarians from being employed in rural areas. The KVLRP will help ease this ongoing issue.
3. Faculty Shortage a. A severe national shortage exists for board-certified veterinary faculty-774 open positions per AVMA. b. Veterinary students require strong faculty support throughout the education process. Successful programs provide training from clinical instructors and board-certified specialists.
4. Financial Sustainability a. Veterinary schools rely on clinical hospital income, university/state funding, and tuition—Murray State proposes funding solely through tuition, an unproven model at proposed tuition rates.
b. No other distributive model school operates without external funding or exorbitant tuition rates. c. In the Deloitte study, ~$1,300,000 of 10 existing faculty members' salaries were not included in the moderate Pro-forma projections raising doubt about the proposal’s financial stability.
5. Strain on Existing Veterinarians a. In the distributive model, local clinics bear the burden of teaching students in the critical clinical year. The distributive model provides an inconsistent educational experience, stretches the resources, and reduces the service quality of private practices.
b. Dr. Tammy Smith (Knox County Veterinary Services) states: “Distributive students face extreme stress from relocating every four weeks. It’s not free help—it’s an added strain on already overburdened practitioners.”
Conclusion “While the cost of administering a distributive model of clinical education is lower than a traditional model with a teaching hospital, the complexity and risk are higher.” Deloitte Study Page 54 Veterinarians are essential to Kentucky’s equine industry, agriculture, and public health. The current contract seat model ensures Kentucky students receive a world-class education at established veterinary schools. KVMA urges policymakers to question Murray State’s current unproven and fiscally suspect proposal to safeguard the future of veterinary medicine in Kentucky. For more information – please click The KVMA Letter of Concern.
KVMA News | Spring 2025 9
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
