Another Look at NAVMEC

By: Dalis Collins

University of Georgia, Class of 2013

It seems that if something has an acroymn, then it must be important. NAVMEC is no exception. It stands North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium, and this organization could drastically change not only our educational experience but the course the entire profession of veterinary medicine is taking. While you may not have heard of it, your administrators certainly have and more than likely someone from your school is participating in it. Here at UGA, Dr. Carmichael, our Dean of Academics, is our representative. Even SAVMA is represented by the two members of the SAVMA executive board. Composed of over 200 individuals from all aspects of the profession, the NAVMEC’s goal is to take a comprehensive look at veterinary curriculum try to determine how to structure education to best meet the changing needs of society. This may involve changes in everything from accredidation standards to tracking to required courses.

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Tracking in Vet School

By: Justin Graham

University of Georgia, Class of 2013

All creatures great and small – the classic James Herriot book has exemplified what has been the traditional view of a veterinarian, readily capable of treating all animals from the barnyard to the household.  Over the years as the general public has clung to this romantic idea, the veterinary profession itself has been gradually diverging and become increasingly specialized.  This divergence has raised the debate over whether vet schools should be focusing on the traditional broad-based, comparative medicine curriculum or on a more specialized, tracking curriculum.  Changing times call for changing paradigms and it is time for vet schools to begin embracing the idea of a specialized profession with a career tracking curriculum.

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