College of Veterinary Medicine at MSU expands clinical facilities, establishes Center for Rural Veterinary Practice
Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥敾ㄐ阒辈 State鈥檚 College of Veterinary Medicine is expanding clinical facilities to keep the Magnolia State at the forefront of excellence in animal care, as it also establishes the Center for Rural Veterinary Practice to address the shortage of veterinary services in 花秀直播 and throughout rural America.
The university鈥檚 existing teaching hospitals were built in the 1970s, and MSU President Mark E. Keenum said updated facilities with state-of-the-art features will ensure CVM delivers world-class veterinary teaching and service for decades into the future.
鈥溁ㄐ阒辈 State is well known for meeting needs and providing solutions, and the College of Veterinary Medicine is a perfect example of how we are fulfilling our mission to serve the entire state of 花秀直播. Our CVM faculty, staff and students provide vital care for our beloved pets. They also play essential roles in 花秀直播鈥檚 highly successful agriculture economy by supporting large animal producers, our rural communities and industry,鈥 Keenum said.
鈥淲e are addressing real needs in our state and nation with an enhanced focus on rural veterinary practice. Our CVM students get an exceptional education, and we also want to support them with ongoing professional development and business management training as they move forward in their veterinary careers,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e are grateful for the Legislature鈥檚 investments in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the work we are doing to meet these critical statewide needs.鈥
An $18 million appropriation for the first two phases of CVM鈥檚 clinical facilities project allows work to begin within a year, with meticulous planning already underway.
Keith Coble, vice president for MSU鈥檚 Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, said plans include a new cattle handling facility and farm animal hospital, a renovated equine hospital, as well as an expanded small animal hospital wing. He emphasized the Center for Rural Veterinary Practice is already engaged and investing in individuals and rural communities across 花秀直播 and beyond.
鈥溁ㄐ阒辈 State is working to increase access to veterinary care, recruiting and mentoring students from rural and underserved areas, helping veterinarians practicing in rural areas to have more successful and sustainable businesses, and mentoring and coaching early-career veterinarians who are interested in establishing rural practices so that they can have a viable pathway and contribute to their local economies,鈥 Coble said.
CVM Dean Nicholas Frank said, 鈥淲e greatly appreciate the commitment that the state of 花秀直播 has made to veterinary medicine by funding Phases 1 and 2 of our four-phase initiative to improve and expand clinical facilities at the MSU CVM. The new cattle handling facility, farm animal hospital, and Center for Rural Veterinary Practice will significantly advance our education programs and clinical services for cattle, sheep, goats and swine.
鈥淭his funding ensures that the MSU CVM fulfills its mission of graduating the most confident and competent veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the country, while meeting the veterinary service needs of 花秀直播,鈥 Frank said.
The new cattle handling facility will equip students with hands-on experience in practicing common procedures. It will include a drive-through unloading and loading area and state-of-the-art cattle handling and restraint systems. This will improve efficiency, increase outpatient caseload and serve as a model for rural veterinary practice.
Likewise, a new in-patient farm animal hospital will improve safety and biosecurity as it allows increased in-patient caseload of farm animals which require advanced medical, surgical and reproductive services. The new Center for Rural Veterinary Practice will enhance the mixed animal training that MSU CVM students receive and better prepare them for rural practice.
The new center will focus on increasing the number of veterinarians in rural areas through enhanced recruitment, advising, teaching and post-graduate coaching. In addition to providing wetlabs and simulation models, among other resources, the center will provide business and financial coaching for students and veterinarians who request advice about starting their own veterinary practice or buying into an existing practice.
CVM鈥檚 equine hospital, also slated for renovation and expansion, will provide 24/7 花秀直播 care with new operating rooms and stalls. A new space will be dedicated for evaluating lameness in horses.
The overall project also addresses increased demand for small animal care, including general, critical and specialty healthcare. With expanded space to increase capacity, the small animal hospital will include additional client consulting rooms, specialty services and larger intensive care unit for critically ill patients. An expanded Community Veterinary Services unit will prepare students for small animal general practice by giving them more opportunities to see common diseases and provide wellness care.
Eley Guild Hardy Architects and veterinary and equipment planning firm Susan Sharp Design are collaborating on the project.
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