More information more accessible on food supply veterinary medicine site

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Job postings, statistics, videos, and updates are easier to access because of recent changes to the food supply veterinary medicine section of the AVMA Web site: www.avma.org/fsvm/.

The site is expected to help recruit food supply veterinarians, serve as a clearinghouse of information and resources for veterinarians, and provide credible information to the public, said Dr. Jerry Torrison, chair of the AVMA Animal Agriculture Liaison Committee.

"There's a mountain of information out there, and it helps to have a site bring it together in an organized format," Dr. Torrison said.

Dr. Torrison thinks the recent changes have made the site easier to navigate and more interesting, and the addition of video segments, interactive maps, position papers, and links to other sites has made it more informative.

The Food Supply Veterinary Medicine site already contained information about the shortage of livestock veterinarians and about career opportunities for veterinary students and practitioners. It now includes sections that introduce prospective veterinary students and the public to the subject and its importance and encourage their involvement to help reduce the shortage of food supply veterinarians.

The site also includes reports on the demand for food supply veterinarians; statistics about the occupation; tools for associations and industry partners; advocacy resources; information on veterinary student loan repayment programs; and educational, mentoring, and career opportunities.

Dr. Torrison has received positive feedback from food supply veterinarians who were contacted by veterinary students after those veterinarians posted job openings on the Veterinary Career Center, which is linked from the site. He predicted the site could eventually contain a catalog of externships and internships, as well as a forum for internal and public discussion of issues involving food supply veterinary medicine.

A Kansas State University study published in 2006 states the demand for food supply veterinarians is expected to increase by 12 percent or 13 percent from 2006 to 2016. The increase in demand is predicted to coincide with a shortfall of 4 percent to 5 percent annually.

Also, "Veterinarians Wanted" positions are listed in the JAVMA classified advertisements.

Visit the revamped food supply veterinary medicine area