School of Veterinary Medicine

Established in 1884, Penn Vet is the only veterinary school developed in association with a medical school, and is one of only four private veterinary schools in the nation. Penn Vet's two campuses, urban and rural, offer students learning opportunities and experiences in virtually every aspect of veterinary medicine. As part of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Vet is a key partner in one of the world's great biomedical research and teaching centers. Our students can learn first-hand how veterinary medicine and research impacts human lives, as well as those of animals. 

The relationship between animal health and human health is the core of our teaching tradition. Our distinguished faculty members bring a diverse range of academic backgrounds and unique perspectives to the classroom and clinic that will broaden our students' views of veterinary medicine. 

At the center of Penn Vet’s efforts is compassion for both animals and people, as well as the preservation of a healthy environment. People look to veterinarians as professionals who not only deliver healthcare throughout the lifespan of animals, but also improve our quality of life within that context. We value relationships with our clients and further their interests along with those of the local community. Moreover, as a profession and an institution, veterinarians are well positioned to contribute solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including food security, biosecurity, biodiversity, antimicrobial stewardship, and climate change. 

On the campus where modern veterinary medicine was born, we have an obligation to train students in emerging career pathways. We recently launched a new curriculum that is outcome-based and learner-centered, with explicit opportunities for students to begin shaping their professional identities. Penn Vet also offers broader opportunities through novel certificate and dual-degree programs that break down traditional boundaries between veterinary and other professional disciplines, including public health, human healthcare, social policy, business, and law. As a result, graduating VMDs possess the skills and context needed to care for patients, clients, and themselves, all of which are necessary for a healthy 21^st century work life.

For more information: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/  

Mission

Our mission is to train the next generation of veterinary leaders to advance healthcare outcomes and access, ensure global health, bolster sustainable agriculture, create and support interdisciplinary career paths, and foster community and wellness in the profession.

For more information about our VMD program, go to: VMD Program - University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine

For more information about student life, go to: Student Life - University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine

Research

Penn Vet’s scientists are a key part of the biomedical community at Penn, and they bring a valuable veterinary component to the table. Universally recognized for its work in cancer and regenerative medicine, Penn Vet has a long and close relationship with Penn Medicine. Many cancers that occur in animals share similarities with human cancers. More clinicians, both veterinary and human, are moving away from cancer treatments that are based on the organ in which a tumor occurred, and they are instead selecting therapies based on the molecular mechanism and genetic profile of a patient’s particular cancer.

Penn Vet is hosting a series of novel, oncology-oriented investigations that examine the tumor microenvironment, the characteristics of immune cells, and other entities surrounding tumors. These projects engage collaborators not only within Penn Vet but also from Penn Medicine, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of Arts & Sciences to leverage diverse expertise.

In addition to its strengths in biomedicine, Penn Vet has a distinctive niche in infectious disease research, particularly in immunology and host-pathogen interactions. This is reflected in the research portfolios of some of the more senior faculty who study neglected tropical diseases and diseases of poverty, such as hookworm, the acute parasitic disease Schistosomiasis, malaria, Ebola, and other hemorrhagic viral illnesses. Leaning on its strength in immunology and infectious diseases, Penn Vet launched the Institute for Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases (IIZD) in October 2021 to bolster Penn’s capacity to understand and develop diagnostics, treatments, vaccines, and cures for diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. A true hub for zoonotic disease research, the IIZD is having a profound impact on public health.

Penn Vet’s 17 research centers, institutes, and programs, six core laboratories, and more than 30 faculty laboratories serve as a hub of discovery where scholars, students, and members of Penn’s biomedical community accelerate veterinary medicine’s impact on animal, human, and environmental health worldwide. Penn Vet’s research entities generate courses, academic programs, community outreach, peer-reviewed research, and partnerships among academics, government, and industry.

For more information: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/research