At Penn Vet, we pride ourselves on offering unusual opportunities for veterinary medicine careers, opportunities rooted in our talented faculty network and distinctive geography. The School’s Philadelphia campus neighbors the University of Pennsylvania’s Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Social Policy and Practice, the Wharton School, and others. Not far from Philadelphia is New Bolton Center, located in the middle of a region densely populated with dairy farms and equines. This topography brings people together with incredible resources, spurring creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
In just a few pages, you will meet four young people from Penn Vet. Bill Ciancarelli, V’19, Emily Griswold, V’20, Corbin Harris, V’21, and Carolina Panisello-Manterola, V’21, embody the characteristics that distinguish our students in the world.
Typical of Penn Vet students, they’re curious and engaged, passionate and entrepreneurial, innovative and dynamic. They’re leveraging their life experiences into education and career paths that are redefining veterinary medicine.
Each came to Penn Vet for the School’s resources: unparalleled programs, learning opportunities across the University, and two distinct campuses. They are here to learn from faculty who are involved in solving some of the world’s most challenging global health and environmental issues and advancing clinical care for animals worldwide.
Two of the four know their career directions. Two are undecided on how they’ll use their veterinary degrees, but they are excited to have so many possibilities.
This career inventiveness is a hallmark of a Different Kind of Veterinarian. Corbin said he feels like a “kid in a candy store” being here. He’s receiving a world-class education from faculty who encourage students to view veterinary medicine through a wide lens.
That’s what we want—as the world becomes more complex, so too does the role of veterinarians in community and global health. It’s our job as educators and practitioners to prepare students for whatever career pathways they invent, whether in private practice or research, academia or public policy, business or law, nonprofits, startups, or corporations, or some unique combination of all.
Assuming this awesome responsibility to inspire and educate tomorrow’s veterinarians, our faculty teach by example. Bellwether is also full of stories about Penn Vet faculty and alumni who are themselves Different Kinds of Veterinarians: men and women who are innovators and leaders in their fields.
Today, supported in part by The Power of Penn Vet Campaign, the School is increasing opportunities for students and faculty. We are planning additional dual degree and certificate programs to further increase the individuality and value of our education. We are renovating and expanding facilities for clinical care and research, growing our reach into underserved communities, and designing new initiatives to develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills within our students.
Instrumental in this work is the School’s committed staff. We simply could not do everything we do without them, and we hate to see them go. Penn Vet bid a very fond goodbye to one of the most influential leaders when she retired in January. As Assistant Dean, and then Vice Dean for Advancement, Carol Pooser elegantly led a spirited team of communicators and development officers. She expertly shepherded the School through The Power of Penn Vet Campaign. We are grateful for her hard work and we will miss her!
I am also happy to welcome our new Vice Dean of Institutional Advancement, Meaghan Hogan. Meaghan, who was Associate Vice President of Development at Temple University, is no stranger to Penn. Prior to her time at Temple, she spent seven years in development here at the University. I’m delighted that she’s returned, and I look forward to working with her as we advance Penn Vet’s mission.
As we wind down this school year—my first at Penn Vet—and prepare to graduate the Class of ’19 and welcome the Class of ’23, I want to thank you all for your continued support of the School. Our community is lively and accomplished. The School remains at the forefront of our profession because of your involvement and input.
Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM
The Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine