The Western University College of Veterinary Medicine (WesternU CVM) is a
non-profit
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
,
private
Private or privates may refer to:
Music
* " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation''
* Private (band), a Denmark-based band
* "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...
,
veterinary medical school at
Western University of Health Sciences
Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) is a private medical school and health sciences university with its main campus in Pomona, California, with an additional osteopathic medical school in Lebanon, Oregon. With an enrollment of 3,81 ...
located in
Pomona, in the US state of
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
. The college consists of about 400 veterinary medical students, and confers the degree
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
A veterinarian (vet), also known as a veterinary surgeon or veterinary physician, is a medical professional who practices veterinary medicine. They manage a wide range of health conditions and injuries in non-human animals. Along with this, vet ...
. The college was established in 1998 as the first veterinary school to open in the country in 20 years. The college is fully accredited by the
American Veterinary Medical Association
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), founded in 1863, is a not-for-profit association representing more than 99,500 veterinarians in the US.
The AVMA provides information resources, continuing education opportunities, publicatio ...
.
History
The College of Veterinary Medicine opened in 1998, after some difficulties with accreditation through the
American Veterinary Medical Association
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), founded in 1863, is a not-for-profit association representing more than 99,500 veterinarians in the US.
The AVMA provides information resources, continuing education opportunities, publicatio ...
's Council on Education.
It was the first veterinary medical school to open in the United States since 1983,
and at the time, no member on the AVMA's Council on Education had ever been involved in accrediting a new veterinary medical school. The inaugural class began courses in 2003, and the college earned full accreditation in 2010.
WesternU CVM was the first
veterinary medical school in the United States to appoint a female to the position of dean.
In 2008, the
Banfield Pet Hospital
Banfield Pet Hospital is a privately owned company based in Vancouver, Washington, United States, that operates veterinary clinics. Part of the Mars, Incorporated family of companies, Banfield owns clinics in the United States, Mexico, and the ...
on campus was opened to the community, providing primary care services such as vaccinations, spaying and neutering, microchiping, surgery, dental exams and cleanings, as well as flea, tick and heartworm control. The hospital includes a surgical suite, an x-ray room, a half dozen exam rooms and isolation facilities. The hospital is housed in a 6,000 square-foot facility on campus, and provides first and second year students with early exposure to clinical care.
Academics
The College of Veterinary Medicine has an entirely
problem-based curriculum,
rather than lecture-based. This style of curriculum, with its emphasis on small group work and research, is purported to improve skills that may be less-developed in a lecture format and provide students with more flexibility in determining their study schedule and style. Critics of problem based learning argue that a more structured curriculum is more effective, especially in the beginning portions of program while students are developing
active learning
Active learning is "a method of learning in which students are actively or experientially involved in the learning process and where there are different levels of active learning, depending on student involvement." states that "students partici ...
skills. Public health is also emphasized throughout the veterinary medicine curriculum.
Veterinary students at WesternU complete clinical rotations at any of more than 300 teaching sites, which contrasts with the traditional model of veterinary education in the US, where students rotate primarily at a large, single, teaching hospital.
Along with students from the
other colleges at Western University, students at WesternU CVM participate in
interprofessional education
Interprofessional education (also known as inter-professional education or “IPE”) refers to occasions when students from two or more professions in health and social care learn together during all or part of their professional training with the ...
. The program is intended to improve understanding of other health professions and to provide and promote a team approach to patient-centered care and health care management, leading to improved patient care. Some evidence supports the effectiveness of interprofessional education in encouraging collaborative practice, although it is not firmly established.
The College of Veterinary Medicine has nearly 400 students; in the fall of 2011, the college received nearly 740 applications for 105 positions.
See also
*
Veterinary medicine in the United States
Veterinary medicine in the United States is the performance of veterinary medicine in the United States, normally performed by licensed professionals, and subject to provisions of statute law which vary by state. Veterinary medicine is normally ...
*
Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California campus
*
Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Oregon campus
*
Western University College of Podiatric Medicine
Western University College of Podiatric Medicine (WesternU-CPM) is a podiatric medical school at Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) based in Pomona, California. WesternU-CPM is one of nine podiatric medical schools in the United Stat ...
References
Further reading
*
External links
Western University of Health SciencesBanfield Pet Hospital at Western University of Health Sciences
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Education in Pomona, California
Educational institutions established in 1998
Schools accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Universities and colleges in Los Angeles County, California
Veterinary schools in the United States
1998 establishments in California
Universities using Problem-based learning
Western University of Health Sciences