Charles Louis Davis and Samuel Wesley Thompson DVM Foundation
For the Advancement of Veterinary and Comparative Pathology
cldavisdvm@comcast.net | Phone: 847-367-4359 | Fax: 847-247-1869
C.L. Davis, D.V.M. Foundation Veterinary Student Externship Program
For the International Advancement of Education in Veterinary
and Comparative Pathology
Program Contact: Dr. James Britt, 501-225-7674, 501-912-1449 (cell) (Central Time); jobritt@sbcglobal.net
Externships are provided for 1-2 months during the summer or other free time in the veterinary student’s schedule. The externship site will evaluate the student, if required by his/her university. The students have an opportunity to work with the veterinary pathologists at the sites and also participate in bacteriology, serology, toxicology, and virology tests and result interpretation. The student will function as a pathologist-in-training. In other words, there is time for self-study of microscope slide collections, and do post-mortem exams under the guidance of the veterinarians. The active sites and contacts are below. The sites generally do not have housing available, but will try to assist with local housing needs. Limited travel stipends may be available. Students may also wish to check the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (Training and Education Programs) for additional sites and for their scholarships at www.acvp.org.
Current externship sites are below (please make your initial inquiry and application request to Dr. Britt if you need help selecting a site OR contact the site of your choice first to arrange some preliminary dates to give to Dr. Britt).
Breathitt Veterinary Center
Murray State University
P.O. Box 2000
715 North Drive
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
270-886-3959
Contacts: Dr. Debbie Reed, Director
270-886-3959
Dr. Johna Veatch, Head of Pathology (main contact)
270-886-3959
The Breathitt Veterinary Center is a fully-accredited, all species AAVLD laboratory nestled in the heart of KY's agriculture industry in Western Kentucky. The BVC is a well-maintained, 40,000 sq. ft. facility, with 50+ employees spanning all disciplines of veterinary diagnostics: pathology, virology, bacteriology, molecular diagnostics, serology, clinical chemistry, and toxicology. The BVC processes 16,000 diagnostic cases/year primarily involving cattle and small ruminants, equine, and swine submissions with a steady companion animal caseload. Housing for students at a local veterinary hospital is a possibility, based on availability of an apartment in their facility.
Comparative Pathology Laboratory
University of California
1000 Old Davis Rd., Building R1
Davis, CA 95616
Contact: Denise Imai-Leonard, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVP
office (530) 754-4937
The CPL is a fee-for-service, self-supporting laboratory animal Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory that provides high-throughput rodent health surveillance and disease diagnostics for the University of California system and other laboratory animal programs. The diagnostic lab staff includes 2 anatomic pathologists and 5 clinical laboratory technicians. Laboratory services include diagnostic anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, microbiology, serology, parasitology, molecular diagnostics and investigative and pre-clinical research pathology. In addition, the CPL supports a laboratory animal pathology residency and fellowship and trains laboratory animal medicine residents and veterinary students from UCDavis and Western University of Health Sciences.
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Veterinary Laboratory
99-941 Halawa Valley Street
Aiea, HI 96701
808-483-7108
Contact: Dr. Travis Heskett
Travis.W.Heskett@hawaii.gov
The lab offers experience in small animal, avian/poultry, porcine and aquatic animal pathology. Occasional zoo, laboratory and exotic animal pathology cases are also received. The case load is light with just a few cases per week. However, the student will have access to study material and ample time with the pathologist to review material. Housing is not available through the laboratory, but assistance can be provided to locate suitable housing.
Johns Hopkins University #1
Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology
733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205-2196; (443) 287-2953
Attn: Zipporah Gilchrist, Academic Program Coordinator zgil@jhu.edu
More information about our training opportunities: see links below
Program #1: The Johns Hopkins Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology offers externship programs in pathology to veterinary students who have completed at least three (3) years of their veterinary training. The pathology externship consists of participation in the animal necropsy service for laboratory animals housed at the University and from the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, the National Aquarium in Baltimore and local practitioners. Externs work with ACVP board certified veterinarians, postdoctoral fellows and residents in our program. Externs are expected to attend research/training lectures and participate in research and training activities.
Externships can be two (2) weeks to eight (8) weeks duration. Availability varies with demand and faculty commitments. These are non-paid externships. To apply, please submit an application in the form of a letter stating your goals for pursuing an externship, area of interest, a current resume, letter of good standing in an academic program, and two letters of professional recommendation to support your application.
Johns Hopkins University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to racial, cultural, and ethnic diversity. Nominations and applications from women and individuals from a broad spectrum of backgrounds are encouraged.
Johns Hopkins University #2
Same contact info
Summer Fellowship Program (must have completed 2 yrs (Vet. School)
JH Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology also offers two (2) summer fellowships to veterinary students. The program focuses on acquiring competence in diagnostic pathology in a wide range of laboratory, domestic and exotic animals. Fellows participate in the animal necropsy service for laboratory animals housed within the University as well as cases from the Maryland Zoo, National Aquarium in Baltimore, and local practitioners. Fellows perform gross necropsies, trim tissues and make histopathologic diagnoses. Cases are signed out with one of six ACVP Diplomates on faculty. Fellows are encouraged to observe, assist, and/or participate in on-going research within our department or in other research groups.
Trainees will work side by side with DVM’s participating in the postdoctoral fellowship program in Comparative Medicine. Necropsy rotation will be two to three days a week. You will not be required to be on evening or weekend call.
The program starts early May to early June and continues for a minimum period of 8 weeks, up to a maximum of 12 weeks and provides a monthly stipend of approximately $1765. Starting date is flexible as we work with your summer schedule. To be eligible for a fellowship, a student must have completed 2 years of the professional veterinary curriculum.
To apply for the program, follow links below.
For information on the Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, please visit our web links below.
http://mcp.bs.jhmi.edu/veterinary-externships
http://mcp.bs.jhmi.edu/veterinary-students
Research short courses: http://mcp.bs.jhmi.edu/me680712-phenotyping-functional-genetics
New Mexico Veterinary Diagnostic Services (VDS)
NM Department of Agriculture
1101 Camino de Salud NE
Albuquerque, NM 87102-4519
505-383-9299
505-383-9294 fax
Contact: Dr. Tim Hanosh
This modern full-service laboratory is on the grounds of the University of New Mexico within the city of Albuquerque. VDS does necropsies and ancillary testing on all animal species, with the necropsy workload being about 65% small animals, 15% bovine, 10% equine and 10% exotic and wildlife. There is also limited poultry work (mostly backyard operations). Annual case load, (all species, all tests) is approximately 30,000. VDS is a division under the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. It works with the NMSU College of Agriculture Extension service and the NM State Veterinarians to coordinate in field examinations to investigate disease outbreaks on site, where indicated. There is a strong emphasis to address management breakdowns as well as traditional pathology and other diagnostics with all food animal and equine cases, where applicable. The laboratory also employs pre-veterinary students and assists in the training of veterinary technicians from the local college.
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
(previously, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research)
P.O. Box 760549
San Antonio, TX 78245-0549
210-258-9894
Contact: Dr. Edward Dick
The pathology laboratory is part of the Department of Comparative Medicine and consists of clinical and anatomic pathology sections and is a resource for laboratory animal health surveillance, diagnostic and research pathology. Pathology supports an animal colony of approximately 6000 nonhuman primates and 3000 other laboratory animals. There is abundant opportunity to study all phases of laboratory animal medicine and pathology throughout the year. Dr. Dick is the head of Comparative Pathology and is board certified in the ACVP. Research opportunities may be available with a variety of investigators. There are several other laboratory animal facilities in the area that students would be able to utilize. Student housing is not presently available but special arrangements may be made. More information available at the following websites:
http://www.snprc.org/internprogram.html
Research Animal Resources and Compliance
University of Wisconsin-Madison
1710 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53726
608-2636464
Contact – Amber Wersal
The RARC offers extended experience in laboratory animal pathology to veterinary students who have completed at least three (3) years of veterinary school. Practice in laboratory animal necropsy with special attention to distinct anatomical structures of laboratory rodents and diseases of research animals is provided. Species seen at the RARC include mice, rats, nonhuman primates, zebrafish, frogs, captive wildlife used in research, dogs, cats, and agricultural species. There is emphasis on comparative pathology and transgenic mouse models of human disease. There are opportunities for short rotations at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC), the School of Veterinary Medicine, the National Wildlife Health Laboratory, and Covance, all of
whom employ veterinary pathologists in the Madison area. The student is expected to develop and complete a written project, as well as make a short presentation to the RARC veterinary staff on a topic of importance to laboratory animal medicine. A positive attitude and willingness to learn are important. Short-term housing is available on-campus or with local veterinary students.
Department of Veterinary Sciences
University of Wyoming
1174 Snowy Range Road
Laramie, WY 82070
PHONE: 307-742-6638
Contact: Dr. Donal O’Toole
dot@uwyo.edu
Eligibility for the Externship: Up to 2 veterinary students can be accepted simultaneously unless prior arrangements are made (i.e., during scheduled experimental and/or field studies where more students can be used.
Length of Externship: Most come for 3 weeks, but up to 12 weeks is acceptable. Students will participate in necropsy examinations, including entering gross observations in the laboratory’s database, and following cases through till they are reported to clients. The extern will be assigned to various faculty members during the program, and may spend time in various units in the laboratory (bacteriology, virology, toxicology, etc). It is beneficial for the program if the student presents on a topic of interest to the department during his/her stay. The busiest time of the year and therefore the best time to see routine diagnostic accessions from food animals is late January-early May. A car is strongly advised, especially during the winter. The sponsor will assist with local housing information. More information at:
http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/VETSCI/Ext_Diagnostic.asp
Other Opportunities:
University of Missouri
Veterinary Pathology Externship
For 2-12 weeks. The program is from Oct. to June each year. More information at: http://www.cvm.missouri.edu/pathologyexternship/
NIH Externships
Veterinary pathology externships available. This program is available to veterinary students throughout their VM4 year, not just in the summer. Funding for training in research is available at various government laboratories. Applications are being taken after November 15 for the next cycle. http://ccr.nci.nih.gov/resources/training/summer_students/
Veterinary Student Externship Program (Summers of Discovery)
NIEHS
Research Triangle Park, NC
Contact: Dr. David Malarkey
(919) 541-1745
Applications usually due by each February. http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/lep/ntp-path/docs/student-vet-path-externship.pdf
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/lep/ntp-path/index.cfm
AVMA Student Externship Stipend of $1000. Applications due by each January 15th: www.avma.org/savma/services.asp
AVMA Foundation: $1,000 scholarships for VM 1-3 students interested in non-traditional careers. A pathology externship would seem to be beneficial to applying for this scholarship. Due each May 15.
Johns Hopkins University: paid summer veterinary student fellowship info: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/mcp/Education/vet_Student_externships.html
Modified: 5/5/2019
