VPM Voice: Winter 2025
Originally Published
Lions, and tigers, and bears….and more!
Partnership between college, Columbus Zoo, and The Wilds advances careers in zoo and wildlife medicine with a One Health focus
Source: Pam Dennis, DVM, MSL, PhD ‘04, DACZM
Since 2014, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and The Wilds have worked together to prepare veterinary residents for a career in zoo and wildlife medicine and ecosystem health. The three-year, three-phase program equips residents with the skills and experience necessary to sit for the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) specialty board exam.
One of only 25 ACZM-compliant training programs in the United States, Ohio State’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Health Residency stands out for its proximity to two world-renowned zoological institutions—The Columbus Zoo and The Wilds—creating a uniquely immersive and highly respected experience.
The program provides trainees with experience in epidemiology, zoological medicine, semi-free ranging herd medicine, and ecosystem-based field research, all through a One Health lens. This depth of training is possible thanks to generous donor support. Their contributions fund the opportunity to obtain a master’s degree and provide stipends for travel and essential program expenses, ensuring trainees can fully engage in research and clinical work that advances global wildlife conservation.
The program follows a health and wellbeing-centered approach to conservation medicine, preparing clinicians to make meaningful contributions on both national and international levels through clinical service, research, and education. Trainees spend their first year planning and performing research in their chosen area at Ohio State while completing coursework and clinical orientation activities at the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds. The second year is spent focusing on zoological medicine at the Columbus Zoo. The third year of the residency is spent primarily in residence at The Wilds, managing clinical medicine for the semi-free ranging collection utilizing a nearly 10,000-acre local field site.
Laura Kellow, DVM, a third-year veterinary resident in the Wildlife and Ecosystem Health Residency program, shared her perspective on the unique opportunities offered through this collaborative residency.
“As the current third-year veterinary resident in the Wildlife and Ecosystem Health Residency program, I feel honored to represent the partnership between The Ohio State University, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and The Wilds,” she said. “This residency is unique in not only the diversity of experience that we gain throughout our three years at each institution, but also in the focus on wildlife conservation and ecosystem health. As I look toward finding a full-time position after my residency, this unique experience will be vital in pursuing a career in not only zoological medicine but also in One Health.”
Since its launch, six veterinarians have completed their residency, earned a master’s degree, and successfully attained diplomate status in ACZM. In addition, all have published at least one manuscript describing the research they conducted as a resident. Currently, three veterinarians are participating in the program.
“To sustainably preserve and protect wildlife, we must invest in developing the next generation of veterinary experts in zoo and wildlife medicine. This program ensures that our trainees are not only clinically skilled but also deeply grounded in conservation science. Incorporating training in One Health goes beyond clinical medicine, it prepares them to address health challenges at the intersection of animals, humans and the environment, and to collaborate across disciplines for holistic solutions,” shared Pam Dennis, DVM, MSL, PhD, DACZM, associate professor – clinical, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
This residency is building a global network of veterinarians ready to protect wildlife and ecosystems. By combining clinical training with a One Health perspective, graduates are positioned to lead conservation efforts, advance research, and make a lasting impact on animal health worldwide.
Ohio State’s MPH-VPH Program: Where Passion Meets Public Health
Source: Armando Hoet, DVM, PhD ‘02, DACVPM
The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Master of Public Health–Veterinary Public Health (MPH-VPH) program has earned recertification from the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (ACVPM), reaffirming its role in preparing leaders at the forefront of One Health.
Emerging threats such as avian flu, tick-borne pathogens and foodborne diseases highlight the need for professionals who can address health risks at the human-animal-environment interface. ACVPM certification confirms that Ohio State’s program meets the highest standards for training experts in zoonotic disease prevention, food safety and emergency response.
“We are one of the few programs in the U.S. to achieve this level of rigor,” says program director Armando Hoet, DVM, PhD, DACVPM, director, Veterinary Public Health Program and professor. “Our graduates are shaping public health locally and globally.”
Established in 2010 through collaboration between the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Public Health, the MPH-VPH program remains the only ACVPM-certified program in the country open to both veterinary and non-veterinary professionals. Students complete coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics and environmental health, along with a culminating project that includes a practicum in a public health setting.
The results speak for themselves: 95 percent of veterinarian graduates pass the ACVPM board exam, and alumni hold leadership roles in zoonosis prevention and control programs worldwide.
The program also supports the college’s Protect One Health in Ohio (Protect OHIO) initiative by strengthening the pipeline of rural veterinarians and public health professionals. About half of MPH-VPH students pursue careers in human health, returning to their communities as health commissioners, epidemiologists and food safety specialists. Others leverage the degree to gain admission to veterinary school, often coming from underserved rural areas.
This dual impact ensures graduates are equipped to tackle challenges from food security to disease transmission across species, making them vital advocates for public health and sustainability.
As global health threats evolve, Ohio State’s MPH-VPH program continues to lead in preparing professionals who protect both human and animal populations. Its recertification is more than a milestone — it’s a reaffirmation of the college’s commitment to advancing One Health through education, research and service.
Research in Action: Understanding the surplus calf industry
Source: Greg G. Habing, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVPM // Samantha Locke, B.Sc, PhD
Millions of calves are born on dairy farms every year. While some female calves are kept as replacements for the milking herd, male calves and extra females are typically sold to be raised as dairy beef. Historically, these “surplus” calves were viewed as low-value byproducts of the dairy industry. More recently, they have become far more valuable and represent a significant and often overlooked portion of the U.S. beef supply.
As the national beef herd has declined, dairy-origin calves have helped fill the gap, creating an important revenue stream for dairy farmers. Currently, day-old calf prices are roughly 8 times higher than in 2021.
However, the dairy beef supply chain has come under increasing scrutiny due to concerns including calf health and long-distance transport. The system is complex and highly fragmented: calves are usually sold within the first week of life and may change hands multiple times, moving between livestock auctions and calf dealers before reaching a calf raiser. While previous research has focused on improving care on the dairy farm, far less attention has been given to the people who market and raise these calves. Understanding these stakeholders’ perspectives is essential for guiding targeted research and developing practical solutions that address producers’ real-world needs.
To address this gap, our group interviewed 42 stakeholders across the dairy beef calf value chain, including five livestock auction representatives, four calf dealers, and 13 calf raisers from the Midwest and East Coast. We analyzed the interviews to identify common themes related to strengths and challenges in the industry.
What we learned
- Many participants were satisfied with their nutrition and health programs for calves.
- Key challenges included limited access to calf-specific expertise, inconsistent communication between stakeholders, and transport-related stress on calves.
- Many calf raisers were concerned about profitability in the face of record-high calf prices.
- Improving coordination and communication across the industry was identified as a priority.
Next steps
Future work should assess ways to streamline calf marketing and improve calf care during transportation. In response to identified needs, our group is developing dairy beef calf specific resources for calf raisers and farm advisors.
This article highlights recent research from the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine:
Locke, SR, Wilson, DJ, Arevalo-Mayorga, SA, Sequeira, SC, Pempek, JA, Arruda, AG, Habing, GG. Understanding challenges and strengths in the post–dairy farm surplus calf value chain: An interview study. Journal of Dairy Science, 108(11), 12577–12591. doi.org/10.3168/jds.2025-26642
Creating Connections: A New Social Group for VPM Non-DVM Graduate and Postdoctoral Students
Graduate school and postdoctoral research can be rewarding—but also isolating. At Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, two Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine students decided to change that.
After attending a leadership seminar last spring, Sara Sequeira, DVM, who is pursuing her PhD in the Comparative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program and post-doc Troy Koser, PhD, noticed something missing: there wasn’t a consistent space for non-DVM graduate and postdoctoral students to connect socially across labs and programs within the department. So, they took action.
A short survey confirmed what they suspected—students wanted a welcoming, informal community beyond their immediate research labs. Since then, the group has hosted monthly events, including an introductions and resource-sharing social, a potluck and campus walk, and even a pumpkin carving night. These gatherings, supported by faculty sponsorships, have helped students meet new colleagues, share experiences, and build friendships.
The organizers plan to continue with a mix of casual social activities and light academic networking events, and they hope to add family-friendly options. Long-term, they envision formalizing the group within the college and collaborating with other student organizations to create broader community events.
Feedback has been positive, though attendance has dipped as schedules get busier. “We’re hoping the holiday season will bring people back together,” Koser shared. And while both founders are nearing the end of their time at the college, they hope an early-term graduate student will take the reins and turn this initiative into a lasting organization.
For now, the mission remains clear: create spaces where students can connect, recharge, and strengthen the sense of community within the College of Veterinary Medicine.