Interdisciplinary ‘One Health in Practice’ curriculum positions veterinarians for new career pathways
in human, environmental health.
With this school year, Penn Vet launched two distinctive dual degree programs with the Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) and School of Arts and Sciences.
The new dual degrees, the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (VMD) – Master of Social Work (MSW) and the VMD – Master of Environmental Studies (MES), will prepare multidisciplinary veterinarians to assume leadership roles within the environmental, social services, and public health sectors.
VMD-MSW
The training of veterinarians in human health care and social services, which Penn Vet deems “One Health in Practice,” is a nascent approach to achieve health care equity and access for vulnerable or underserved human populations.
The VMD-MSW can be completed in six years and prepares students for the growing field of veterinary social work, an emerging subsector of veterinary medicine.
Training in social work enables veterinary medical professionals to better navigate human wellness triggers – such as emotional stress brought on by bereavement – and provide the needed support to clients or colleagues. With training, rural and NGO veterinarians who work with underserved agricultural communities can identify and facilitate health care access for farming clients, their families, or migratory workers.
VMD-MES
Wildlife habitat and biodiversity, domestic animals, food production, humans, and the environment, are all inextricably linked through One Health. As evidenced by COVID-19, compromised environmental health is often a contributing factor to the spillover of viruses or other pathogens from animals to humans. Toxic minerals, chemicals, soil destruction, and climate change, erode the health of natural habitats for animal populations, and disproportionally impact vulnerable human populations.
Designed to be completed in five years, the VMD-MES prepares veterinarians to develop a deeper understanding of the environmental context and related human dimension that drives animal population health.
More to Come
In 2021, Penn Vet will announce additional new dual degrees with Penn’s Graduate School of Education, the School of Nursing, and the Carey Law School.