Reviving Rural America: Oklahoma's Bold Move to Save Dying Veterinary Practices!
Veterinarians are the unsung heroes of rural communities and economies, playing a pivotal role in everything from supporting vital food and fiber animal industries to protecting public health by identifying zoonotic diseases. Their work is crucial in disease surveillance, safeguarding US agriculture, and ensuring the wellbeing of companion animals. However, these rural areas face a growing crisis: a sharp decline in the number of veterinarians over the past three decades, posing a severe threat to food supply veterinary medicine, as many cattlemen are painfully aware.
Oklahoma State University (OSU) is at the forefront of tackling these challenges head-on. With a commitment to revitalizing rural communities and bolstering veterinary medicine and animal agriculture, OSU is making a difference. Impressively, the percentage of OSU graduates entering food animal or mixed animal practice consistently surpasses the national average. From the Class of 2023 respondents, a notable 25% ventured into large or mixed animal practice, significantly higher than the national average of 10-15%.
In a comprehensive response to this complex issue, OSU's College of Veterinary Medicine is set to establish the Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine (CRVM). The CRVM is a collaborative, innovative initiative focused on studying rural veterinary medicine's unique challenges, and formulating strategies to address the shortages and other issues plaguing these areas. The vision for the CRVM extends beyond research; it includes a service component targeting underserved rural regions, and outreach programs designed to mentor local youth, guiding them towards STEM careers, including veterinary medicine.
A flagship initiative of the CRVM, the Integrated Beef Cattle Program for Veterinarians, is already making strides. Assembled with a team of faculty from diverse fields and funded by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, the program aims to fortify the sustainability of veterinary practices serving Oklahoma's beef cattle industry and the surrounding regions. The curriculum, shaped by feedback from beef industry stakeholders, covers a comprehensive range of topics from leadership and communication to welfare, stockmanship, and production medicine. A key focus of the program is fostering connections between veterinarians, students, and industry leaders, creating a robust network of professionals. With Class III set to commence in January 2024, the future looks promising. Read more on https://www.bovinevetonline.com/news/veterinary-education/developing-center-rural-veterinary-medicine
