College Appoints Leah Dorman, DVM ’95, Director of Outreach and Engagement for the Protect One Health in Ohio Program

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine has appointed Leah Dorman, DVM, a 1995 graduate, as director of outreach and engagement for its new Protect One Health in Ohio (Protect OHIO) program, effective November 17.

Protect OHIO is a new initiative made possible through additional funding in the state’s biennial budget. The program is designed to create meaningful, measurable impact across Ohio by educating more veterinarians, with an emphasis on enrolling more students from rural communities, mentoring large animal and rural veterinarians, and expanding risk assessment and surveillance programs to protect the state’s agricultural economy.

In her new role, Dorman will serve as the primary liaison between Protect OHIO and agricultural stakeholders, rural communities and industry partners. She will lead the development and coordination of outreach and educational efforts to support increased enrollment of veterinary students from rural Ohio, promote careers in large animal veterinary medicine, and help graduates return to and remain in rural veterinary practices.

Dorman brings extensive experience in animal health, public service and strategic communications to the role. She most recently served as senior director of communications and consumer engagement at Phibro Animal Health Corp., a global company specializing in animal health and mineral nutrition. Before that, she worked as the senior director of policy outreach for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. Dorman has also served in key state leadership roles in Ohio, including assistant state veterinarian, where she advanced animal health policy and public engagement.

Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, Rita Jean Wolfe Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, said Dorman’s expertise will help build strong connections between the college and rural communities.

“Dr. Dorman will play a vital role in strengthening the pipeline of Ohio students pursuing careers in large animal and rural veterinary medicine. She will also help ensure those students have the support and resources they need to thrive well beyond graduation,” Moore said. “Her proven ability to foster meaningful relationships with Ohio’s rural communities, agricultural commodity groups, and the veterinary industry will be instrumental in addressing the critical shortage of veterinarians—a challenge that directly affects animal health and the economic vitality of rural areas across the state.”       

Dorman expressed her enthusiasm for the role.

"Feeding people is a shared responsibility and it starts with healthy animals, resilient communities, and a strong veterinary workforce,” Dorman said. “This work is deeply personal to me. I’ve spent my career listening to rural voices, mentoring passionate students, and building trust with Ohio’s agricultural and veterinary communities. 

Joining Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine to support the Protect OHIO program is an opportunity to continue that mission—championing programs that uplift future veterinarians, strengthen public health defenses, and help rural communities thrive. I’m honored to bring my commitment to ethical leadership and mission-driven collaboration to this initiative, and remain dedicated to advancing One Health solutions that protect both people and animals.”

This investment by Governor Mike DeWine and members of the Ohio General Assembly underscores the vital role veterinary professionals play in safeguarding public health, supporting Ohio agriculture and strengthening communities. The College of Veterinary Medicine is deeply grateful for this support and remains fully committed to expanding access to veterinary education, addressing the shortage of rural veterinarians, and ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of Ohio’s rural communities.

About The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Founded in 1885, Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine is one of the nation’s oldest and largest veterinary colleges. Consistently ranked among the top five veterinary programs for nearly two decades, the college is recognized for its excellence in education, research, outreach and patient care. Its Veterinary Health System is the only academic comprehensive tertiary referral center in Ohio and the region, providing advanced care to more than 80,000 animal patients annually across six hospitals and farms. Located on a campus that houses seven health sciences colleges, the college fosters interdisciplinary collaboration in areas such as public health, biomedical research and clinical care. Learn more at vet.osu.edu.