U of M launches dual degree in Veterinary Medicine and Public Health

NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release

Contacts: Meta Gaertnier, College of Veterinary Medicine, 612.624.4752
Brenda Hudson, Academic Health Center, 612.624.5680

U OF MN LAUNCHES DUAL DEGREE IN VETERINARY MEDICINE
AND PUBLIC HEALTH
Innovative program enables Vet Med students nationwide to participate

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (November 21, 2002)--The University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Public Health today launched a new dual Doctor of Veterinary Medicine/Master of Public Health (DVM/MPH) degree program. The program, developed in response to the critical national need for more veterinary public health professionals, is one of the first in the United States that enables students to complete work for both degrees in just four years.

The MPH curriculum is designed so that students working toward a DVM at any qualified veterinary college nationwide can earn a dual Master of Public Health degree concurrently through the University of Minnesota program.

"The United States clearly needs more public-health-oriented veterinarians to help address new bioterrorism concerns, emerging diseases such as West Nile virus and chronic wasting disease, and the ongoing need for a safe food supply," said Jeffrey Klausner, DVM, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). "Our new DVM/MPH degree prepares future veterinarians to play a key role in addressing these critical issues."

The combined program is offered through the University's School of Public Health (SPH). The program prepares graduating veterinary students for careers with local, state, and federal government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The program is expected to graduate its first students in May 2005.

"Diseases such as anthrax and West Nile virus demonstrate the interrelation between animal and human health," said Mark Becker, Ph.D., dean of the SPH. "Our goal is to help prepare professionals who can safeguard and enhance public health through their intimate understanding of disease distribution and control in animal populations."

Participating students take public health coursework through online learning programs and during the summers of their veterinary training, including a three-week Summer Public Health Institute. Students also must complete a field experience and a master's project. The MPH portion of the combined program requires 40 to 42 hours of coursework, with the potential for some veterinary electives to satisfy MPH requirements as well.

"Some of our veterinary students already have begun taking public health courses in anticipation of the dual degree program, and others have expressed a strong interest," said Will Hueston, Ph.D., CVM professor and director of the University's Center for Animal and Food Health Safety. "In fact, our students have been urging us to offer this program as soon as possible."

The DVM/MPH degree program joins the University's new Executive Program in Public Health Practice (MPH) degree program, which is designed for mid-career veterinary and health service professionals, including practicing veterinarians.

"These degree programs reflect the College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Public Health's commitment to collaborate not only with other colleges across the University," said Debra Olson, SPHassociate dean for public health practice education, "but also with public and private organizations to address emerging issues and solve societal problems."

The Academic Health Center is home to the University of Minnesota's seven health professional schools and colleges as well as several health-related centers and institute, including the Medical School. Founded in 1851, the University is one of the oldest and largest land grant institutions in the country. The AHC mission is to prepare the new health professionals who improve the health of communities, discover and deliver new treatments and cures and strengthen the economy.

For more information, see www.cvm.umn.edu; www.php.umn.edu; www.ahc.umn.edu