News Summary
Roseman University of Health Sciences has submitted a letter of intent to establish Nevada’s first veterinary school, aiming to introduce a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Located on the Henderson campus, the program will fill a significant educational gap in the state, providing training for aspiring veterinarians. The initiative comes in response to a critical shortage of veterinarians, particularly in rural areas of Nevada. Dr. Katherine Fogelberg has been appointed as the founding dean, focusing on meeting the needs of both urban and rural communities.
Las Vegas
Roseman University of Health Sciences has submitted a letter of intent to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education, marking the first step toward establishing Nevada’s first veterinary school. The proposed school will be located on Roseman’s Henderson campus and aims to introduce a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in the state.
Currently, Nevada does not offer a DVM degree; however, the University of Nevada, Reno provides a bachelor’s degree in veterinary science, while the College of Southern Nevada and UNLV offer programs in veterinary nursing and veterinary advising, respectively. Roseman’s new veterinary program will fill this gap in educational offerings for aspiring veterinarians, significantly impacting the region.
At this stage, there is no defined timeline or budget for the establishment of the school. The submission of the letter of intent allows Roseman University to begin the planning and development process, including consulting with veterinary professionals to form clinical partnerships. Existing facilities at the university will be improved for the program rather than constructing new buildings.
Before the program can be officially developed, it must undergo accreditation processes. The AVMA Council on Education will conduct a series of reviews of the submitted proposal and provide findings that will influence the final decision. In addition, Roseman University must secure approval from both the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education.
The proposed veterinary program will be a four-year curriculum following a “hybrid, distributive model.” Students will receive clinical training in areas such as equine, large animal, and companion animal medicine. The program intends to incorporate off-campus training, providing experiences across Nevada and nearby states, while placing a particular emphasis on serving underserved communities that lack accessible veterinary care.
In preparation for this initiative, Dr. Katherine Fogelberg has been appointed as the founding dean of the new veterinary program. Dr. Fogelberg brings extensive experience in veterinary care and holds a background as an Army veteran. She aims to create an academically rigorous and mission-driven veterinary program that focuses on the needs of both urban and rural communities in Nevada.
The decision to establish a veterinary school comes at a time when the Nevada Department of Agriculture has indicated a critical shortage of veterinarians in the state. Many rural areas are experiencing significant service shortages, leading to an increased demand for veterinary professionals. Certain regions in Nevada have even been designated as high-priority shortage zones by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 2024, reinforcing the urgent need for enhanced veterinary services in these communities.
In recent developments, Roseman University has also achieved accreditation for a medical degree program that is set to begin accepting students in July at its Summerlin campus. This achievement highlights the university’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities in health sciences and addressing the needs of the community.
The establishment of the College of Veterinary Medicine represents a crucial advancement in educational offerings in Nevada, promising to provide vital veterinary services and training for future veterinarians in the state.
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Additional Resources
- Review Journal: Nevada’s 1st Veterinary School
- Wikipedia: Veterinary Medicine
- News 3 LV: Roseman University Applies
- Google Search: Veterinary Education
- AG Daily: Herd Turns Mob Mentality
- Google Scholar: Veterinary Schools
- Veterinary Practice News: Empowering Vets
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Veterinary Medicine
- Cowboy Lifestyle Network: Jackpot Veterinary Center
- Google News: Veterinary Shortage Nevada
