Overview
Our Mission
At the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine &
Biomedical Sciences (CVM), we support collaboration and teamwork
that develops today's discoveries into proactive solutions for the
benefit of animal, environmental, and public health, through our
teaching, research, and service.
One Health Initiative
We are committed to the One Health Initiative, and we embrace
our responsibility to the health of animals, humans, and the
environment.
Our Signature & Highlighted Programs
Our college's strategic plan has been developed around the
concept of "signature programs," areas central to veterinary
medicine and biomedical research wherein the college plans to build
the nation's number one programs. Some of the programs are
college-wide, while others fields have been identified by the
faculty for signature program status-fields identified as
exceptionally productive programs. Many of these programs represent
collaborations in the CVM, across campus, across Texas, and
throughout the nation and the world.
Our Achievements
- Pharmacology and Physiology is ranked as as one of the top 10
physiology departments nationally
- Michael E. DeBakey Institute is home to the most undergraduate
research opportunities on campus
- The CVM is an integral partner in the recently established
Equine Initiative at Texas A&M
- Collaborations with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center are helping to
advance diagnostics and treatments in neurology and oncology
- Researchers in the Pathobiology department were the first in
the nation to confirm the cause of
proventricular dilatation disease (PDD), a fatal neurological
disorder that affects mainly captive parrots
- The Integrative Biosciences department is home to four
teaching, six research, one outreach, and one administration
university-level AFS Distinguished Faculty Achievement Awards
- Biomedical Sciences graduates count for approx. 31% of Aggies
and 1/15 of Texans in medical school, as well as approx. 37% of
Aggies and 1/10 of Texans in dental school
Veterinary Medicine:
A View of Our Profession in the USA and Texas
We are the only College of Veterinary Medicine in the State of
Texas!
- Ranked in top 5 nationally
A National Shortage of Veterinarians
- Shortage affects all disciplines
A Critical Need for Veterinarians in Public Health Areas
- Shortage over next 20 years will be >15,000
- USDA: Food Safety & Animal Disease Control
- Biosecurity & Homeland Security
- Research on domestic & foreign animal diseases
- Public health service & animal diseases affecting
humans
- Rural communities & urban centers without veterinary
services
- Wildlife disease control
- Animal care & welfare
- Laboratory animal care & research
Current National Circumstances
- 86,000 veterinarians
- 2,500 veterinary graduates per year
- 28 CVMs with no growth in size in 20 years
- No increase in federal funding in 30 years
- State support continually decreasing
- $50 Million loss in support of veterinary education nationally
due to economy-related budget reductions
Economic Impact of Animal Industries in the USA
- Horses ~ $39 billion
- Cattle ~ $451 billion
- Pets ~ $38 billion
Economic Impact of Veterinary Medicine in the State of
Texas
- $1.72 Billion (total output effects)
- $32 Million directly to state in business taxes
Compared to other states, Texas has...
- The #1 Cattle Population
- The #1 Horse Population
- The #2 People Population
All statistics based on Spring 2010 unless where noted
otherwise.