Many Species. One Medicine.™ — The concept of one single medicine for all species.
In 1884, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine was established at the urging of the University's School of Medicine. It was recognized that prevention and control of animal diseases had important implications for human health. Human and veterinary medicine were viewed as "one medicine."
This principle encouraged close ties between the two schools, and today those ties continue with ground-breaking comparative medical research projects on diseases that occur in animals and humans. Penn Vet has two campuses—one in Philadelphia, housing classrooms, research facilities and administrative offices and the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for companion animals. The large-animal facility is at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., about 35 miles from the West Philadelphia campus. The George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals, classrooms, diagnostic laboratories and research facilities are located here on 687 rural acres.
Teaching
Since 1887, nearly 6,000 veterinarians have graduated from Penn Vet. The Class of 2008 numbered 105—85 women and 20 men. A Penn veterinary graduate is easily identified by the VMD behind the name. Currently the School has about 440 students enrolled in the four-year graduate program. The School offers a VMD-PhD program and a VMD/MBA program.
Healing
The Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital treats companion animals and has one of the largest caseloads of a university-associated veterinary teaching hospital. Ryan offers all veterinary specialties as well as a genetics and pediatrics clinic and grief counseling.
The only veterinary school in Pennsylvania, Penn Vet is vitally important to the commonwealth's vast agricultural industry. The George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at New Bolton Center sees horses and food animals with more than 6,000 patient visits annually. The Field Service sees more than 19,000 animals. The hospital offers 24-hour emergency service.
Research
As part of a major research university, Penn Vet has strong basic science and clinical research programs. Currently more than 260 research projects are underway. To further strengthen research, Penn Vet has established interdisciplinary Research Centers, where basic science and clinical faculty work together.