Protect Ohio Initiative and Veterinary Education Overview

Protect Ohio: Stands for "Protect One Health in Ohio."
- One Health Concept: Highlights the interconnectedness of animal health, human health, and environmental health.
- Examples of One Health: Infectious diseases like COVID-19 and avian influenza affecting multiple species, including humans.
- Importance emphasized for understanding zoonotic transmission and ecosystem integrity.

Initiated due to the shortage of veterinarians in rural areas, specifically for:
- Large animal (livestock, equine) practices.
Governor Mike DeWine recognized the challenges faced by agricultural stakeholders, hearing about difficulties in finding veterinarians across Ohio.
Approximately one-third of Ohio's counties are identified as facing major to moderate veterinarian shortages.

Initiative backed in the state budget:
- Initial $5,000,000 annually allocated to support veterinary education for six years.
- Additional funding of $9,400,000 per year specifically earmarked for the Protect Ohio initiative.
Goal to increase the number of Ohio Veterinary Students from 165 to 200 per graduating class.
Strategic focus to increase in-state residency: Target of 70% Ohio residents in veterinary classes.
Financial support includes $900,000 distributed in scholarships to students from rural backgrounds interested in large animal practice; aimed at alleviating financial burdens and encouraging return to rural areas.

Drew Kingsmith
- Origin: West Salem, Wayne County, Ohio.
- Career Aspiration: Mixed animal practice in Ashland, Wayne, Holmes, or Richland County.
- Currently works at Spring Meadows Vet Clinic.
Lauren C. Andrew
- Year: First year in Veterinary Medicine.
- Origin: Medina County, Ohio; educational background includes schools in Michigan and Alabama.
Zach Meyer
- Year: Class of 2027.
- Origin: Trumbull County, previously studied at the University of Findlay.
- Goal: Stay in the Northeast Ohio area for large animal practice.

Dr. Ali Gardner
- Current Role: Equine Surgeon, Interim Associate Dean for Education and Student Success.
- Pillar of Protect Ohio: Lead for increasing class size while maintaining curriculum excellence.
- Focus on hands-on learning and competency-based curriculum for veterinary students.
Alicia Nagle
- Role: Chair of the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
- Experience: Prior career with the federal government, passionate about student pipelines from rural areas to veterinary medicine.
- Envisions interactive programs to engage rural youth and provide real-world veterinary experiences.
Greg Having
- Role: Professor of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
- Pillar of Protect Ohio: Establishment of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, focusing on biological and agricultural threats.
- Topics of interest: Importance of early disease recognition and proactive measures.

Shift from traditional lecture-based learning to a competency-based model emphasizing hands-on experience and practical skills from the start.
Students engage with:
- Practical courses involving live animals and hands-on clinical skills starting from first semester.
- Courses designed to develop foundational skills such as physical exams, instrument handling, and surgery preparation.

Students report enjoying the hands-on components, emphasizing:
- Importance of practical skills in readiness for real-world veterinary challenges.
- Access to instructional videos and faculty for additional practice and guidance.
- Increased engagement and excitement from attending external veterinary events and presentations.

Strategies to expose youth to veterinary careers through:
- Partnerships with 4-H, FFA, and community organizations.
- Development of programs like the Swine Test Program to educate rural youth in animal health and veterinary practices.
- Mentoring initiatives to encourage students from rural backgrounds to pursue veterinary medicine.

Strategies to support new graduates in rural practice:
- Encourage community engagement during practice locations through mentoring and support structures.
- Explore loan repayment opportunities administered by local organizations/research initiatives.
- Development of collaborative opportunities among veterinary clinics to share resources and reduce isolation in practice.
Exploring innovative ideas and community involvement to address the high turnover in rural veterinary positions.

Audience inquiry about the inclusion of wildlife interests in Protect Ohio.
- Affirmation that Protect Ohio encompasses all species as interconnected and crucial for One Health.

Audience asks about curriculum effectiveness for producing graduates prepared for large animal veterinary roles despite dwindling opportunities.
- Affirmation from the panel on the intentional design of the curriculum to emphasize competency development and practice-ready skills.

Audience shared concerns about financial aid impacting the decision to pursue veterinary medicine.
- Financial aid presented in terms of scholarships, teaching assistantships, and employment opportunities within the college.

Reflecting on engagement opportunities with local community members to foster mutual growth and collaboration in rural veterinary practices.
Emphasis on community involvement, flexibility, and a continued commitment to improve veterinary education and support across Ohio.