Be The Model

Be The Model®

Stories Shaping the
Future of Veterinary Medicine

Be The Model® magazine is published two times per year for friends of the college.

A message from the dean

Dear Friends of the College,

Cover of the Winter 2026 BTM Publication with the headline, On the front lines of Protecting Ohio — Front cover of the Winter 2026 issue.

Welcome to the latest issue of our Be The Model® magazine, now presented in a refreshed, full-size format that brings you even closer to the stories shaping our college’s impact.

This issue highlights Protect One Health in Ohio (Protect OHIO), our bold initiative to strengthen Ohio’s rural veterinary workforce, protect public health and advance the agricultural economy.

Its three goals—educating more Ohio veterinarians, attracting and retaining veterinarians to rural communities, and strengthening infectious disease prevention and preparedness—demonstrate the One Health approach and the collaborative spirit that define our college.

The need is urgent. Nearly one-third of Ohio counties are underserved by veterinarians, and emerging threats such as highly pathogenic avian influenza remind us that veterinarians play a critical role on the front lines of surveillance and response.

Protect OHIO addresses these challenges head-on by expanding educational opportunities, fostering mentorship and creating partnerships that safeguard both animal and human health. You will also read about programs that complement this work and advance education and student success.

Our Veterinary Public Health Program—the nation’s only American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine-certified program, equips professionals to lead in zoonotic disease prevention, food safety and emergency response, through roles with public health agencies, the military, global health organizations and many more that extend veterinary medicine’s impact far beyond the clinic.

Likewise, our Summer Research Program provides early hands-on research experience for veterinary students, building a pipeline of future scientists who contribute to discovery across the human–animal–environment interface.

These initiatives, along with the news and updates throughout this issue, reflect our commitment to preparing graduates for diverse and impactful careers, driving research that benefits society, and providing cutting-edge care to the patients we serve every day.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Together, we are building a healthier future for animals, people and the communities they share—fueling our ambition to Be The Model® comprehensive college of veterinary medicine in the world.