Institution TypePrivate University
Is there a medical school?Yes
Is this a land-grant institution?No
Vivarium Director
Program DirectorDr. Peter C. Smith
Who to ContactDr. Peter C. Smith
AddressPO Box 208016, New Haven, CT  06520
Phone203-785-2531
Fax203-785-7499
Emailpeter.smith@yale.edu

Vivarium Information

Vivarium NameYale Animal Resources Center
Is the facility AAALAC accredited?Yes
Describe management structureOne central vivarium only
Describe the extent to which your facilities are centralizedAnimals housed in 5+ separate locations
Vivarium Square Feet300,000
Summarize the nature of the animal population and the predominant types of clinical activitiesTrainees serve as the primary clinician for Yale and West Haven Veterans’ Administration Medical Center vivaria, which together house an animal census of >125,000 comprised of rodents, rabbits, dogs, ferrets, pigs, sheep, nonhuman primates, opossums, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and aquatic invertebrates. Their duties include physical examinations, formulating and implementing diagnostic and treatment plans, performing surgery and post-operative care. They also participate in daily rounds with faculty and staff, which include interpreting diagnostic results, assessing case management and addressing regulatory issues. Residents also present clinically relevant material and discuss cases at the weekly Clinicopathology Conference (CPC). This forum facilitates development of clinical and communication skills essential for informing and advising investigators in matters pertaining to the use and care of laboratory animals.
Number of Veterinarians in program7
Number of ACLAM Diplomates in program6
Number of Boarded Pathologists1
Number of Other Boarded Veterinary Specialists0
Number of necropsies/week in the veterinary unit10
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 residents

2

How many residents/trainees have completed this program?

19 (13 have taken the ACLAM board examination)

Of these, how many have subsequently become ACLAM Diplomates?

10   

In what year did the program accept its first trainee?

2003

How many years are required to complete this program (residency only)?

2

Is formal coursework offered?

No

Is a degree program associated with this residency?

No

If yes, what degree(s)?

 

Which departments most commonly grant degree(s)?

 

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 Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine offers a two-year, ACLAM-recognized residency in laboratory animal medicine. This program is designed to meet the training requirements for certification by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and provides training in clinical medicine and surgery; anatomic and clinical pathology; virology, serology, and molecular diagnostics; biotechnology; vivarium management; and regulatory compliance. In addition to didactic training, residents participate in the delivery of health care to a diverse, AAALAC-accredited animal facility with an average daily census of approximately 125,000 animals, including >125 non-human primates. Residents conduct a research project under the supervision of a faculty mentor in order to gain experience applying the scientific method to answer clinical questions and publish a first author publication to meet board eligibility requirements. In this environment, residents are provided a well-rounded experience in laboratory animal medicine, pathology, and research.  Starting salary ranges from $58,000 to $63,500, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, travel funds are provided for residents to attend national meetings and short courses to augment their curriculum.
Applicants must have a DVM or equivalent degree and be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the United States.

Questions can be directed to: Dr. Peter Smith, Professor and Director of Residency Training, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University, School of Medicine, PO Box 208016, New Haven, CT 06520-8016; phone 203-785-2531, email peter.smith@yale.edu.

Describe any unique research interests of your faculty

The Department of Comparative Medicine consists of 22 faculty members including veterinarians, physicians, and basic scientists who provide a broad array of clinical and laboratory services and conduct research in metabolic disorders, microbial pathogenesis, cancer, metabolic bone disease, and genetics. ACLAM certified faculty in our department have a strong track record in rodent infectious disease research.

https://medicine.yale.edu/compmed/about/

Give a few literature citations of publications completed by trainees during their tenure in this program

Killoran KE, Walsh CA, Asher JL, Tarleton MB, Wilson SR.  Rapid recovery and short duration of anesthesia after low dose ketamine and high dose dexmedetomidine in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).  JAALAS.  60(3): 337-340. 2021

Sarfaty AE, Compton SR, Smith PC, and Zeiss CJ.  Cutaneous and pulmonary mucormycosis in Rag1- and Il2rg-deficient rat.  Comparative Medicine 70(4): 390-395. 2020

Sarfaty AE, Zeiss CJ, Willis AD, Harris J, Smith PC.  Concentration dependent toxicity following subcutaneous meloxicam administration in C57BL/6N mice (Mus musculus).  JAALAS 58(6): 802-809. 2019

Barnett GJ, Wilson SR, Smith PC.  A comparison of six injectable anesthetic regimens in the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domesticus).  JAALAS 56(5). 2017

Caporizzo D, Kwiatkowski, A, Chen M, Beck A, Booth C , Zeiss C, Smith PC , Carlson Scholz J, Wilson S. The use of FDG PET/CT to support a diagnosis of intestinal adenocarcinoma in a rhesus macaque. Comp Med 64(3).  2014

Grove TA, Smith PC, Booth CJ, Compton SR.  Are younger mice better bedding sentinels? An assessment of age susceptibility of Swiss Webster mice to MPV and other excluded murine pathogens. JAALAS 51(6): 789-796.  2012

Where will vacancies be advertised?

 ASLAP, VIRMP

What month does the program begin?

July

Living and Working

Starting Annual Salary

$58,000-$63,500

To what extent is travel to meetings, etc. paid for?

AALAS and Charles River Short Course paid in full

Is individual health insurance provided?

Yes

Is family health insurance provided?

Yes

Describe any fees or tuition

n/a

Describe the residents' responsibilities for night, weekend, and holiday coverage

Weekend on-call duties approximately once every 8 weeks

How many annual vacation days are given?

12

How many annual sick days are given?

 As needed

Briefly describe the community

The sponsoring institution is Yale University, and training will take place within the Department of Comparative Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT.  Yale University is an international leader in biomedical research, and as such, involvement in animal research, teaching, and testing is extensive and spans many departments, although most of the departments involved in animal research are within the School of Medicine. The Yale University School of Medicine is a renowned center for teaching and research. Approximately 50% of the total direct research funds of $218 million involve projects using laboratory animals. The School of Medicine currently ranks in the top five nationally among medical schools receiving NIH support. 

Located on the Long Island Sound about halfway between New York City and Boston, the city of New Haven is a thriving cultural center known for its cuisine, theatres, museums, and live music scene.   Additionally, local parks, hiking/biking trails, waterways, and easy access to mountains and coastal destinations throughout New England provide an abundance of opportunities for outdoor activities and adventures.  In short, New Haven and the surrounding areas have something for everyone.

Institutional, facility, or training program web site

http://medicine.yale.edu/compmed/education/index.aspx