By GREGORY ZELLER //
Greater New York’s only veterinary-medicine college program is in beast mode.
Virtually, at least: On Friday, Long Island University formally introduced its hands-on Veterinary Medicine Learning Center, a $26 million gem boasting a cutting-edge Animal Simulation Suite – a customizable environment allowing students to perform examinations, surgeries and medical imagining on virtual animal patients.
The suite is just one part of the 33,100-square-foot learning center, which also includes a more traditional slate of lecture halls and laboratories and stands as a shiny new centerpiece for LIU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, home of the only veterinary-medicine doctoral program across New York City and Long Island.
The college – the only New York metropolitan area program recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education – has grown exponentially since opening in 2020, with projected enrollment eclipsing 450 students by the Fall 2023 semester.
Kimberly Cline: Catalyst converter.
Long Island University President Kimberly Cline called the still-developing veterinary college a “catalyst” for LIU’s growth and said it qualifies the Brookville-based university as a card-carrying member of “Long Island’s world-class life-science corridor.”
“We are very proud of our new College of Veterinary Medicine facilities and connected clinical and research experiences, which provide students with significant opportunities to become leaders in veterinary medicine,” Cline added. “And it would not be possible without strong support from Gov. (Kathy) Hochul and Empire State Development.”
Investing in the veterinary college and its next-generation virtual facilities was a sure bet, according to Hochul, who trumpeted $12.75 million in state support for the College of Veterinary Medicine and its new learning center.
“New York State’s investment in Long Island University’s College of Veterinary Medicine underscores our commitment to meeting the growing demand for state-of-the-art veterinary services and ensur[es] New Yorkers have access to education and training for the career path of their choice,” Hochul said Friday. “These new facilities … will provide students with the hands-on experience they need to become competent and compassionate veterinary professionals.”
Carmen Fuentealba: Ready to serve.
In addition to its impressive technological offerings, the Veterinary Medicine Learning Center will offer experiential learning through clinical rotations and internships leveraging more than 75 external partnerships with primary- and specialty-care veterinary practices, zoos, animal shelters, research laboratories and other universities.
The idea is to develop practical knowledge and skills by giving doctoral students hands-on learning experiences – an important professional-development step that’s vital to numerous sectors, particularly agricultural interests.
“Our program is designed to prepare practice-ready, entrepreneurial veterinarians that will serve the needs of the local and global communities,” College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Carmen Fuentealba said in a statement. “[The college’s] world-class faculty offers a comprehensive approach to veterinary education and prepares our students to succeed through a variety of measures, including experiential learning, interdisciplinary research and mutually beneficial partnerships.”
