Institution TypePublic University
Is there a medical school?Yes (OUHSC)
Is this a land-grant institution?No
Vivarium Director

Wendy Williams, DVM, MS, DACLAM

Program DirectorMadeline Budda, DVM, MS, DACLAM
Who to ContactMadeline Budda
Address975 NE 10th Street, BRC 1101, Oklahoma City OK 73104
Phone405-271-7381
Fax
EmailMadeline-Budda@ouhsc.edu

Vivarium Information

Vivarium NameDivision of Comparative Medicine
Is the facility AAALAC accredited?Yes
Describe management structure

OUHSC: Centralized

Describe the extent to which your facilities are centralizedAnimals are housed in 9+ separate locations
Vivarium Square FeetMore than 80,000 sq. ft.
Summarize the nature of the animal population and the predominant types of clinical activitiesFaculty investigators conduct a broad range of biomedical research and teaching using baboons, swine, goats, rabbits, rodents, amphibians, and fish. Animal models contribute to innovative studies in ophthalmology, immunology, cancer, diabetes, neuroscience, and infectious diseases.
Number of Veterinarians in program7
Number of ACLAM Diplomates in program6
Number of Boarded Pathologists1
Number of Other Boarded Veterinary Specialists1
Number of necropsies/week in the veterinary unit5
Number of surgical cases/week in the veterinary unit5

Training Program Details

Is this program recognized by ACLAM?Yes
Does this program participate in the Veterinary Internship & Residency Matching Program (VIRMP)?Yes
Number of concurrent residentsUp to 3
How many residents/trainees have completed this program?1
Of these, how many have subsequently become ACLAM Diplomates?All
In what year did the program accept its first trainee?2011
How many years are required to complete this program (residency only)?Three years is the typical duration of this residency program. However, trainees may complete the program after a minimum of two years (24 months) if they receive permission from the Program Director.
Is formal coursework offered?Yes
Is a degree program associated with this residency?Yes
If yes, what degree(s)?MS in Clinical & Translational Sciences
Which departments most commonly grant degree(s)?OUHSC Graduate College
Give an overview of this program, describing its particular strengths and any unique aspects that are not addressed in any of the other sections

The Oklahoma Comparative Medicine Training Program, sponsored by the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), prepares qualified veterinarians for a dynamic career in laboratory animal medicine. The curriculum blends clinical, research, management, and regulatory experiences to expose residents to many of the challenges and responsibilities commonly encountered by veterinarians in this field.

Activities in which residents are expected to participate include veterinary case rounds; comparative pathology rounds; journal clubs and seminars; clinical care and on-call services; regulatory duties such as protocol review and post-approval monitoring; training animal users; and research in biomedical, agriculture, and/or field (wildlife) settings. Mentors from OUHSC, OU, OSU CVM, OMRF, OKC Zoo, and OKC-VA support residents in all stages of the program.

Upon entering the program, residents are encouraged to enroll in the Masters in Clinical and Translational Sciences (MS in CTS) – a thesis-based degree program offered to professional post-doctoral fellows through the OUHSC Graduate College. All residents are expected to complete an original research project regardless of their participation in the CTS program.

Additional opportunities include rotations in the Office of Animal Welfare Assurance and off-site at the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman, Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, the Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in OKC, and the Veterans Affairs in OKC.
Describe any unique research interests of your faculty

Animal models contribute to innovative studies in ophthalmology, immunology, cancer, diabetes, neuroscience, and infectious diseases.

In addition, partnering institutions support a diverse population of animal species used for biomedical, agricultural, and wildlife research and teaching. 
Give a few literature citations of publications completed by trainees during their tenure in this programML Budda, JJ Ely, S Doan, M Chavez-Suarez, GL White, RF Wolf. Evaluation of Reproduction and Raising Offspring in a Nursery-Reared SPF Baboon (Papio hamadryas anubis) Colony. Am J Primatol 2013; 75:798-806.
Where will vacancies be advertised?

VIRMP and Jobs.ou.edu

What month does the program begin?July

Living and Working

Starting Annual SalaryVariable
To what extent is travel to meetings, etc. paid for?Registration and travel costs will be covered by the Program for residents to attend one continuing education (CE) meeting each year.
Is individual health insurance provided?

OUHSC offers a flexible benefits plan to residents. Eligible employees receive an allowance of benefit credits, also called Sooner Credits. These credits represent that amount of money the University pays to provide benefit-eligible employees with the following core insurance benefits:

  • Medical Insurance (employee and eligible dependents
  • Basic Dental Pla
  • Life Insurance (1.5x annual base pay)
  • AD&D Insurance ($20,000 policy)

Is family health insurance provided?In addition to the University provided core insurance benefits, employees and their dependents have the option to participate in other benefits available.
Describe any fees or tuitionEligible residents who enroll in the MS in CTS program are considered for tuition waivers.
Describe the residents' responsibilities for night, weekend, and holiday coverage

OUHSC’s Comparative Medicine on-call services consist of noon Wednesday to noon Wednesday and the enclosed week-ends and/or holidays in the period. Residents observe an on-call schedule (per calendar year) of:

  • 20 weeks in Year 1
  • 12 weeks in Year 2
  • 5 weeks in Year 3
How many annual vacation days are given?30 vacation/sick days annually
How many annual sick days are given?30 vacation/sick days annually
Briefly describe the communityNamed one of the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2020 by Travel + Leisure, Oklahoma City offers all of the culture, cuisine, attractions and amenities you’d expect in a modern metropolis. And with its rugged Western past, working stockyards and title as “Horse Show Capital of the World,” OKC is rich in cowboy culture, as well. Oklahoma City has plenty of hustle without all the hassle. The OUHSC campus is located just northeast of downtown OKC. The OSU CVHS campus is located about 60 miles away in Stillwater, OK.
Institutional, facility, or training program web site OUHSC: https://www.ouhsc.edu/