Glen Hoffsis named dean of the college
by SARAH CAREY
 Dr. Glen Hoffsis and his wife, Lana, greet well-wishers
following announcement of his appointment as new dean of the college.
(Photo by Sarah Kiewel)
|
Already an upper-tier school, the UF College of Veterinary Medicine is poised to join the elite ranks, says incoming dean Glen F. Hoffsis, D.V.M.
“We will capitalize on our clinical science, research and student program strengths,” said Hoffsis, who will officially start his new position Oct. 1, becoming the college's fifth permanent dean. “With a strong outreach program and fundraising effort, I expect to see robust growth.”
Recognized for leading the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University to national prominence, Hoffsis was chosen to lead at UF after a nationwide search, according to Douglas Barrett, M.D., senior vice president for health affairs, and Jimmy Cheek, Ph.D, senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources.
Hoffsis quickly flew to Gainesville to address faculty and staff, saying he “wanted to personally accept the position.” He called UF's veterinary college “a top-tier school of veterinary medicine,” but said he knew many here were interested in advancing to the top five in the country.
“I like that, because it shows a desire to advance beyond the status quo,” Hoffsis said. “I have the sense that this College of Veterinary Medicine is integral to the advancement of the University of Florida . I also have the sense that as the college advances, and advances UF along with it, there will be reciprocal support.”
Hoffsis noted Florida 's strong agricultural, equine and small animal industry constituencies are valuable resources for UF's veterinary college and would continue to be assets. Furthermore, he mentioned the small animal hospital fundraising effort and noted the emerging pathogens initiative as important to the college's progress.
“Many agents used by terrorists are animal pathogens,” he said. “More people are becoming concerned about the bird flu. These are avenues for us to demonstrate what we have to offer and to make a contribution.”
The OSU College of Veterinary Medicine progressed from a limited accreditation status with the American Veterinary Medical Association during Hoffsis' term as dean to a ranking of sixth among veterinary medical schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
“During his tenure as dean at Ohio State University , Dr. Hoffsis oversaw a remarkable expansion in the college's research and academic output, expanded its clinical teaching hospital and moved the college forward in peer rankings to become one of the best in the country,” Barrett said. “He knows how to build and grow a college, and he's extraordinarily enthusiastic about this opportunity.”
After a long career at OSU, including 11 years as dean, Hoffsis joined Iams, a Procter & Gamble company, as associate director of veterinary services. As such, he has led a group that implements academic programs in colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States and overseas.
“At this point, I'm looking forward to combining my experience in academia with my new perspectives gained in the corporate world and putting them to good use at the University of Florida,” Hoffsis said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the fine College of Veterinary Medicine at UF to a new level of excellence.”
Hoffsis is an established and visible leader among veterinary medical school deans, having served as a former president of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, UF administrators said. Furthermore, he has also been president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and chairman of the Food and Drug Administration's veterinary medicine advisory committee.
“Dr. Hoffsis brings an incredible amount of experience and commitment to this position,” said Cheek. “He's done everything from researching cattle diseases and directing a veterinary teaching hospital to significantly expanding development efforts and leading the veterinary services division of a major corporation.”
Hoffsis received his veterinary medical degree from Ohio State in 1966 and completed an internship in large animal medicine at Colorado State University in 1967. He is a board-certified veterinary internist. He replaces former dean Joseph DiPietro, D.V.M., who served nine years in the job and left in February to become vice president for agriculture at the University of Tennessee .
|