Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine will welcome 150 students, along with their parents and advisers, to the fifth annual Vet School for a Day event on Wednesday, Sept. 23. This program brings select Georgia high school students to the university’s campus to learn more about careers in veterinary medicine. The keynote speaker for the event is Dr. Carla Case McCorvey, an alumna of the veterinary college and owner of Case Veterinary Hospital in Savannah, Ga.
The program, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will include a tour of the teaching hospital, a panel discussion by faculty veterinarians in a variety of specialties, and the opportunity for the high school students to meet veterinary student leaders. The event is sponsored by the David Forehand Foundation, a foundation created in memory of alumnus Dr. David Forehand (DVM, class of 1976).
“Vet School for a Day has grown from just a small gathering of high school students to a larger group representing all areas of Georgia,” said Paige Carmichael, associate dean for academic affairs. “Through this program, we hope to encourage students interested in science to pursue one of the variety of careers available in veterinary medicine, especially in underserved areas such as food animal medicine.”
The discussion panel will include Carmichael and professors: Sharon Crowell-Davis, anatomy and radiology; Margie Lee, avian medicine; Eric Mueller and Michelle Barton, large animal medicine; associate professor Steve Divers, exotics; and veterinary technician Lynn Reece.
“The UGA College of Veterinary Medicine actively recruits a diverse group of the very best and brightest students into the study of veterinary medicine,” said Dr. Sheila W. Allen, dean of the veterinary college. “With the growing threat of global infectious diseases and bioterrorism, there is now an even greater need for scientists trained in underserved areas such as public health, food safety and biomedical research.”
Students also will learn about the high standards for admission to the college, and what they need to study to be prepared for veterinary school.
The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, founded in 1946, is dedicated to training future veterinarians, providing services to animal owners and veterinarians, and conducting investigations to improve the health of animals as well as people. The college benefits pets and their owners, food-producing animals, and wildlife by offering the highest quality hospital and diagnostic laboratory services. Equipped with the most technologically advanced facilities located on a university campus, the college is dedicated to safeguarding public health by studying emerging infectious diseases that affect both animal and human health. The college enrolls 102 students each fall out of more than 550 who apply. It has more than 145 faculty members.
More information on the College of Veterinary Medicine is available at http://www.vet.uga.edu/.
