Vanderbilt University Medical Center

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Type of InstitutionAcademic Research Institution
DirectorKate Shuster, DVM, DACLAM
AddressDivision of Comparative Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Avenue South - MCN AA 6206, Nashville, TN  37232-2130
Who to ContactPrintha McCallum, Sr. Program Manager
Contact Emailprintha.k.mccallum@vumc.org
Contact Phone(615) 322-6852
Contact Fax(615) 343-7682
How long are the rotations?2- 6 weeks
When do rotations start?Dependent upon mentor availability
PrerequisitesVeterinary student or veterinarian with expressed interest in the field of laboratory animal medicine

How many trainees at one time?

1-2
SalaryNone
BenefitsNone
Availability of housingAll travel and housing are the responsibility of the extern.
Overview of the program

Vanderbilt has been accredited by AAALAC-International since 1967 and the Animal Care and Use Program provides clinical care to a wide range of species including rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, dogs, sheep, swine, tree shrews, nonhuman primates (multiple species), zebra finches, zebrafish, and amphibians.

The extern is provided the opportunity to work with our clinical faculty, veterinary pathologists, veterinary technicians, and laboratory animal medicine residents. They participate in routine veterinary rounds with the clinical faculty or residents (once weekly -rodents, twice weekly - USDA species). They assist veterinary staff with any clinical cases as they arise in all species. They assist the veterinary pathologists with any clinical or relevant research necropsies. They also participate in the didactic coursework for our residents.  Depending upon timing of the externship, they may participate in IACUC meetings, semi-annual IACUC inspections, clinical or departmental meetings. All externs are assigned a clinical faculty mentor that oversees their time/experience at VUMC. Additional experiences may occur based on conversations with their mentor regarding their areas of interest and the program culminates in a short project and presentation.
Other comments

To apply, please provide the following documents to the contact listed above:

  1. A letter of intent.
    1. Specify any focused area of interest or goals for the experience (species specific/clinical, or hypothesis driven project, etc.).
    2. Include proposed dates for, and duration of, the externship.
  2. A copy of your most recent Curriculum Vitae.
  3. A letter of reference from faculty/veterinary colleague who is knowledgeable about your professional experience.
  4. If applicable, a letter of good standing from your institution’s Office of Academic Affairs.