Strongest Programs in Zoo, Surgery and Oncology?

[Rac Umich]

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Hi All-

I'm having a difficult time determining which veterinary school is right for me. I've interviewed/been accepted to a few schools, but I'm not sure which school has the best program that represents all of my areas of interest.

Now, I am hoping to get people's options about which vet schools have the strongest programs in zoo medicine, oncology and surgery. Along the same lines as zoo medicine, I am also interested in primate medicine

What vet schools are strongest in -

Zoo medicine:
Surgery:
Oncology:

Also, does anyone know the schools that have the highest match placement for residencies in these areas (zoo med, surgery, and oncology)?

 

[chordy4]

i'm not sure how wonderful it is...but i do know MSU (michigan state) just finished building a brand new oncology center not to long ago, and they overbuilt it anticipating lots of expansion, so i bet that will become rather an oncology hub in the future if not one already.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Va-Md also has a nice oncology program, we work a lot with Wake Forest Med - it's sort of a collaborative center.

I believe Florida is pretty good in zoo/exotics? I think I heard that somewhere?

I don't know where you can get residency matching stats, but that would be interesting! Anyone have any idea?

 

[SillyFilly]

Auburn has a really good oncology department, I do believe.

 

[alliecat44]

My vote is for CSU for onco. Steve Withrow?? And the only surgical oncology fellowship in the world? AND Barb Powers? Amazing....

If I was into onco, I would totally be gunning for CSU. 🙂

 

[Weazlebub]

What vet schools are strongest in -

Zoo medicine:
Surgery:
Oncology:

Also, does anyone know the schools that have the highest match placement for residencies in these areas (zoo med, surgery, and oncology)?

I don't have a good feeling for Zoo. Surgery is pretty consistent across the US vet schools. I agree with the previous comment about CSU and Onc (they have a dedicated animal cancer center). I would also include Wisconsin as an internationally recognized Oncology program.

As for schools and residencies... I don't think the school is the important variable.. it's the internship(s) that make the strongest residency applicants.

 

[OSJ]

Michigan State just built a big new beautiful oncology building!

 

[hoodle]

Davis has good zoo/wildlife - they have a full wildlife health center, and heavy ties to the San Diego Zoo and Marine mammal centers around the area. That said, an internship is probably the time to really specialize in that (in which case, look at Davis for sure!)

 

[Angie09]

Davis also built a new oncology center in the last couple of years too, didn't they? Not sure what their caseload is like, but I saw the (lobby of the) center when I interviewed -- spiffy. 🙂

 

[BobDog]

I don't know much about rankings and reputation, but I saw the appointment list for oncology at Penn when I was there on Friday. It was packed (on a Friday afternoon). Additionally, the research opportunities at Penn are very strong. Especially when you consider that the whole Penn campus is open to you since they have a strong multi-disciplinary approach. Doing strong research during vet school may have a bigger influence on residency and internship opportunities than the general reputation of the school anyways (from what I have been told). Just some things I am thinking about right now.

 

[ri23]

Zoo medicine requires outside connections. I would suggest going to a city that has a good zoo nearby and working with the zoo veterinarians. Obviously, as others have stated, internships and a good residency is also important for zoo work - and that will come later on (though establishing connections with a zoo vet now is certainly important).

 

[StealthDog]

The U of MN just installed a new linear accelerator for radiation therapy...

I've heard K-State is great for exotics, and Davis for zoo.

 

[alliecat44]

Oh, yeah, forgot about my own school! 🙂 One of our faculty was recently elected president of the ACVZ (or whatever the acronym is for zoo specialty certification). We have a specialized wildlife internship here that you can particpate in after a one-year general internship. Completion of the wildlife internship has led to a zoo vet job for the one who finished last year, and a zoo residency for the one that's finishing now. Pretty competitive.

 

[Rac Umich]

Thanks for all your help so far. I'm mainly looking at Cornell, Penn, Davis, Tufts, Wisconsin, NC State and Florida at this point. I still have to interview at Davis and Flordia, and am waiting to hear from Tufts.
So, any comments about zoo, oncology, etc at these 7 schools would be fantastic!

I was also accepted to OSU and MSU, but I think I've been more impressed by the other 7 schools so far. So, again, more general comments about Cornell, Penn, Davis, Tufts, Wisco, NCSU, and Florida would be welcomed!! Or, if you think I'm making a mistake disregarding Mich St and Ohio St, say so!