Dean’s Message

Dr. Dana Zimmel
Dr. Dana Zimmel

Welcome to the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine! I am honored to serve as the college’s dean and to be leading our efforts in veterinary medical education, patient care, community outreach and research as we move our college forward in all of these key mission areas.

From our professional DVM program, to post-DVM training in a variety of clinical specialties, to graduate programs in biomedical research and our online specialty and certificate programs, we offer a wide range of educational opportunities. We proudly offer these programs through a combination of traditional course delivery and innovative approaches such as virtual teaching and learning.

Collectively, our students and residents benefit from the expertise and experience of our highly talented faculty, and the rich collaborative environment afforded by being one of the six colleges that comprise UF Health, as well as our association with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Our faculty are not only educators and clinicians, but also leaders in developing the knowledge that guides teaching and patient care. We are currently ranked 9th among veterinary colleges nationwide by U.S. News and World Report, and our UF Veterinary Hospital caseload is among the nation’s Top 5 among public veterinary colleges.

The college’s aquatic animal health and shelter medicine programs are nationally renowned, as are many of our clinical specialty areas. Our community service efforts are unique and diverse, ranging from our Operation Catnip, one of the nation’s largest trap-neuter-return programs, to disaster response through the UF Veterinary Emergency Treatment Program and a robust extension program offered in conjunction with UF/IFAS.

As we focus in developing exceptional veterinarians, specialists and biomedical researchers, our administrative team and our faculty never forget that academic excellence must be matched by compassion, integrity and professionalism. Our future depends on producing not only future veterinarians, but also leaders, academicians and scientists.

With continued support from the state of Florida, and in partnership with many organizations and individuals, we look forward to advancing all aspects of our mission, continuing to build the status of UF veterinary medicine nationally and internationally during the coming years.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our workplace and within our student body, and to ensuring that our college is a place where every member of our college family feels valued, seen, heard and welcome. We appreciate your interest in our college, and invite you to visit or contact us for additional information.

 

Dana N. Zimmel, DVM, DACVIM, DAVBP
Dean and Professor
UF College of Veterinary Medicine