LMU appoints Hoffsis as dean
Exactly a year since departing from the University of Florida, Dr. Glen F. Hoffsis will lead Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., as it launches its College of Veterinary Medicine.
He has been appointed dean of the veterinary college and associate vice president of health sciences starting July 1, according to an LMU press release. Dr. Hoffsis formerly served as dean of the veterinary colleges at Florida for seven years and The Ohio State University for 11 years, and he was the associate director of veterinary services at P&G Pet Health and Nutrition (formerly Iams Co.).
He replaces Dr. Randall K. Evans, who was chosen as the founding dean of the emerging veterinary college in 2011 after serving as the founding dean of the LMU School of Allied Health for four years. In addition, Dr. Evans was director for 19 years of Lincoln Memorial’s veterinary technology program, which is accredited by the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities. Dr. Evans will serve as an associate dean at the veterinary college.
Dr. Hoffsis has held many professional positions, including president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, chair of the Food and Drug Administration’s now-disbanded Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee, and president of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. He currently serves on the board of directors of Banfield Pet Hospital of Portland, Ore., and Live Oak Bank of Wilmington, N.C. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Lincoln Memorial received a letter of reasonable assurance of future accreditation of its veterinary college from the AVMA Council on Education in July 2013. The college is on target for provisional accreditation. It will accept its first class of 85 students this August and anticipates full accreditation in 2018 at the time those first students are graduating.
The veterinary college will be part of the university’s Division of Health Sciences, which includes osteopathic, physician assistant, nursing, veterinary technology, and other allied health programs.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to create an innovative program from square one,” Dr. Hoffsis said in the press release. “This is a rare opportunity to institute new concepts in veterinary education.”
Related JAVMA content:
Florida dean plans for departure (July 15, 2012)
Lincoln Memorial gets green light from AVMA council (Aug. 15, 2013)