[April 15, 2019; Kennett Square, Pennsylvania] – The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) announced the appointment of Gary Althouse, PhD, DVM, to associate dean of Sustainable Agricultural and Veterinary Practices. The appointment was effective April 1, 2019.
In this newly created role, Althouse will leverage Penn Vet’s and the University’s distinctive resources to address the complex interplay between agriculture and the environment. He will seek interdisciplinary approaches to improve agricultural productivity, reduce environmental impact of livestock and poultry production, and enhance the broader practice of veterinary medicine. Althouse will also serve as a leading advocate for agriculture within Pennsylvania.
“The vision of this new leadership at Penn Vet is to address the major challenge of true agricultural sustainability in the 21st Century. It is our responsibility as an institution to address the increasing demand for protein among a burgeoning human population, and in parallel, to foster farms of the future that are not only highly productive and profitable, but that embrace best practices in animal health and welfare,” said Andrew Hoffman, Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “At the same time, we must evaluate viable solutions and approaches to agricultural production that generate little or no ecological impact. I’m delighted that Dr. Althouse will play a key part in elevating veterinary medicine’s role in developing a sustainable future for both small and large scale farming.”
Althouse served as chairman of the Department of Clinical Studies at Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center from 2007 to 2017. In 2011, he was named to the Marion Dilley and David George Jones Endowed Chair in Animal Reproduction. A professor of Reproduction and Swine Herd Health, his primary areas of research include comparative theriogenology; swine production medicine; andrology; and spermatology. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders which have an effect on individual and herd reproductive performance. Althouse is also the founder and director of the Reference Andrology Laboratory, which provides critical and quality control semen analysis services for swine, cattle and equine. A diplomate in the American College of Theriogenologists, Althouse earned his PhD and veterinary degree from Iowa State University.
“As Pennsylvania’s only veterinary school, Penn Vet does much more than produce future veterinarians,” said Althouse. “We serve as a key partner in supporting the agriculture sector through our many clinical, diagnostic, and educational outreach services, and with timely research that addresses critical challenges facing the industry. It is a tremendous honor to serve both Penn Vet and our external partners in this new role of associate dean.”