AUBURN CVM COLLABORATION WITH KY STUDENTS


A bookend approach to recruit students and retain food animal veterinary practitioners in Veterinary Shortage Situations KY 233/234


For over 70 years the Commonwealth of Kentucky has had a contractual relationship with Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (AUCVM) to train veterinarians. Kentucky, according to the National Agricultural Statistic Service (NASS) Annual Bulletin, ranks 8th in beef cattle production, 7th in poultry broiler production, and 20th in hog and pig market value all demonstrating a significant contribution to global food security. AUCVM and Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association missions align well with the USDA NIFA-Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) goal of ensuring America’s ag- riculture system is equitable resilient and prosperous, providing all-Americans safe and nutritious food, and expanding opportunities for economic development and improving quality of life in rural and tribal communities. Te goal of this grant is to select rising 11th and 12th grade students participating in Ken- tucky’s Junior Cattlemen’s Association and residing in one of two recognized shortage situations, into a mentoring program that will identify students with strong academic credentials, emotional maturity, motivation, dedication, and ability to complete the veterinary medical curriculum. Tese students will be paired with a fourth-year college of veterinary medicine student in a mentoring relationship. Tese pairs of students will then work alongside faculty from Auburn’s CVM, Kentucky Department of Ag and USDA APHIS VS, and Kentucky Beef Network on four occasions in Kentucky. Further, the Veterinary Student Mentors will work virtually throughout the academic year with their protégés to build a trust re- lationship that will provide guidance and support in their efforts to gain admission into veterinary school.


We ended up selecting ten high school students: six seniors, four juniors, nine female and one male. We were able to do that because of a donation from a private individual to KCA.


Te high school students are from all across the state: Nicholasville Hopkinsville


Sturgis Sandy Hook Sulphur Springfield


Carlisle Dixon


Bethlehem Dexter


We have two more face-to-face meetings. We will meet at the KCA in Lexington and then all of the stu- dents will be touring the CVM in March. Students will be invited to participate in a second year (and third) of the program and we will add more students in the fall. Te USDA NIFA grant is for three years.


Cristopher A. Young, DVM, MPH, Diplomate ACVPM Professor of Practicem, Auburn University Office of the Vice President for Research Office of the Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine 540 Devall Drive, 2A48, Auburn AL 36849 334-752-1975, cay0011@auburn.edu 


The collaborative effort between the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine (AUCVM), the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA)


is working to connect veterinary students to rural practices through practice management rotations, ex- ternships, and preceptorships. Tis allows veterinary students, practice owners, and leaders to engage in productive discussions, providing opportunities to address challenges, network, exchange management strategies, and learn to make rural veterinary practice appealing, profitable, and sustainable. Te recruit- ment and support of veterinarians are critical to maintaining the infrastructure necessary for agricultural endeavors to flourish and ensure a safe and wholesome food supply. Tis collaborative effort and activ- ities directly and strategically develop, implement, and sustain veterinary services and facilitate the relief of the veterinary shortage situations in Kentucky.


Mr. Glen Sellers, MS, MBA, Clinical Lecturer & Ph.D. Candidate Office of Academic Affairs & Clinical Sciences Department College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Department of Management and Entrepreneurship Harbert College of Business, Auburn University o: 334-844-2685 | f: 334-844-2723


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