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Tuskegee’s Veterinary Medicine College is Sustaining It’s Legacy through

$5 Million in Industry Partnerships

 Contact:  Anissa L. Riley, TUCVM Director of External Affairs, ariley@tuskegee.edu

The ۿ۴ýUniversity College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) is fortunate to engage in many industry partnerships under the leadership of Dr. Ruby L. Perry, dean of the college. Dean Perry has advocated for student support in the form of scholarships and external learning experiences. The intentional and impactful partnerships have been instrumental in positioning the TUCVM to provide meaningful support to veterinary ۿ۴ý and sustain the legacy of training and educating underrepresented minorities as veterinarians for the veterinary profession.

IDEXX CEO with Dean Ruby L Perry
IDEXX CEO Jay Mazelsky was introduced to IDEXX scholarship recipients by Dean Ruby Perry during their visit to the college on October 4-5, 2022. In addition to CEP Mazelsky,  five other members of the IDEXX Team accompanied him to include: Chief of Staff Galina Hanson, Chief Human Resources Officer Michael Johnson, Director for Global Corporate Responsibility Caroline Rossignol, Senior Director for Talent Acquisition David Bell, Vice President for Global Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jason Johnson plus Veterinary Social Worker Consultant Dr. Pamela Linden.

“Since August 2020, financial support such as grants and scholarships received from industry partnerships have resulted in over $5 million for TUCVM ۿ۴ý and academic programs. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the many industry partnerships we have formed to financially assist our ۿ۴ý and further veterinary medical education here at Tuskegee. I as well as the ۿ۴ýveterinary family extend appreciation to our valued stakeholders for helping to Sustain Our Legacy,” Dean Perry said.

Of the thousands of veterinarians in the United States, only 2% are African Americans and of this number, 70% are graduates of TUCVM. “We are proud to have claim to this statistic and the recognition of being the most diverse college of veterinary medicine in the nation. Compared to many other institutions, ۿ۴ýis small but impactful,” concluded Dean Perry.

Synchrony Foundation representatives visited TUCVM ۿ۴ý during their  visit to the college on September 14, 2022.  Synchrony representatives included Denise Yap (Synchrony Foundation President), Jonathan Wainberg (Vice President & General Manager – Pet Synchrony Health & Wellness), Marcus Proctor (Senior Vice President, Client Initiatives – Lifestyle), and Boo Larsen (Vice President & General Manager, Veterinary Profession CareCredit, a Synchrony Solution).

In just a three-year time span, TUCVM has established relationships with  two dozen Industry Partners and more in the future pipeline. The current industry partnerships include the following:

Alabama Veterinary Medical Association (ALVMA), American Humane, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), Banfield Pet Hospital, Boehringer Ingelheim, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE), EveryCat Health Foundation, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Merck, Nestle Purina PetCare, NVA Compassion-First, PetDesk, Royal Canin U.S.A., Synchrony Foundation, ۿ۴ýVeterinary Medical Alumni Association (TVMAA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Veterinary Practice Partners (VPP), and Zoetis.

Many of the industry partners have a long-time commitment to supporting veterinary medical ۿ۴ý and university diversity initiatives throughout the Unites States. In addition, some industry partners are also strong supporters of mental health awareness programs as part of efforts to support the veterinary industry and ۿ۴ý in completing their veterinary medical degree and be leaders in the veterinary profession.

Dr. Callie Harris, 2008 veterinary alumna, is Senior Veterinary Communications Manager at Nestle Purina PetCare. She is shown with her TUCVM Student Ambassadors, who have now all graduated. 

About the ۿ۴ýUniversity College of Veterinary Medicine

The ۿ۴ýUniversity College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) established in 1945, is the only veterinary medical professional program located on the campus of a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the United States. The College continues to advance its mission of educating underrepresented groups needed to address the growing domestic and global veterinary and public health needs in a diverse society. Today, with approximately 3,000 graduates, the TUCVM has educated more than 70 percent of the nation’s African American veterinarians and is recognized as the most diverse of all 33 accredited schools/colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S. Thus, its sustainability remains at the forefront to continue providing a quality education to veterinary medical graduates to meet societal needs and position the College as a leader in the veterinary profession.