Murray State University names task force members to examine development of School of Veterinary Medicine

MURRAY, Ky. – The Murray State University Board of Regents adopted a resolution of support at its Friday, Aug. 25 meeting to create a task force and begin a feasibility study to examine the statewide shortage of veterinarians and work toward the development of a School of Veterinary Medicine at Murray State University.

The state of Kentucky currently does not have a School of Veterinary Medicine, and approximately 70 students from Kentucky are accepted each year to out-of-state veterinary schools. In the United States, there are only 32 veterinary colleges accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

The members of the School of Veterinary Medicine task force include:

Mr. David Beck, President and COO, Kentucky Venues 

Mr. Jeremy Buchanan, Executive Director, Purchase Area Development District 

Dr. Johanna Choate, Veterinary Faculty, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University

Mr. Seth Clark, Pre-Veterinarian Student, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University 

Ms. Sarah Coleman, Executive Director, Kentucky Horse Council 

Ms. Nikki Ellis, Executive Director, Kentucky Pork Producers 

Dr. Renee Fister, Associate Provost, Murray State  University

Dr. Claire Fuller, Dean, Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Murray State University

Ms. Sharon Furches, Second Vice President, Kentucky Farm Bureau 

Mr. Jerry Gilliam, Christian County Judge Executive

Mr. Jamie Guffey, Executive Director, Kentucky Poultry Federation 

Mr. Daniel Hayden, Program Coordinator, Kentucky Cattlemen's Association

Representative Richard Heath, Chairman, House Agriculture Committee

Ms. Yesenia Hernandez, Pre-Veterinarian Student, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University

Dr. Laura Ken Hoffman, Associate Professor, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University

Senator Jason Howell, Chairman, Senate Agriculture Committee 

Mr. Stan Humphries, Trigg County Judge Executive

Ms. Tara Joiner, Licensed Veterinary Technologist, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University

Mr. Nathaniel Keith, Production Manager, Cal Maine Foods

Dr. Brittany Kirby, Assistant Professor, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University

Dr. John Laster, Executive Board, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association

Mr. Doug Lawson, President/COO, Field and Main Bank

Dr. Brent Mayabb, Global Chief Medical Officer, Royal Canin 

Ms. Theresa Nichol, Garnett Farms 

Dr. Shea Porr, Associate Dean, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University

Mr. Ronny Pryor, Representative, Tyson Foods 

Dr. Debbie Reed, Director, Breathitt Veterinary Center, Murray State University

Representative Steven Rudy, House Majority Floor Leader 

Ms. Joanna Shake, Executive Director, Green River Area Development District 

Ms. Kristen Stewart, Agriculture Coordinator, Hopkinsville Community College, KCTCS 

Dr. Jared Tapp, Veterinarian, Pennyrile Animal Clinic 

Mr. Jason Vincent, Executive Director, Pennyrile Area Development District 

 

Co-Chairs:

Dr. Brian Parr, Dean, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University

Mr. Jordan Smith, Executive Director of Government and Institutional Relations, Murray State University

 

Ex-Officio:

Dr. Robert L Jackson, President, Murray State University

Dr. Tim Todd, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Murray State University

Ms. Jackie Dudley, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, Murray State University

 

"I am very pleased to appoint this important task force of leading agricultural professionals as we study the many critical needs in this area and advance a School of Veterinary Medicine in Kentucky at Murray State University,” said Murray State University President Dr. Bob Jackson. “We have a growing shortage of veterinarians in Kentucky and we are excited to advance the important work of addressing this need. We are extremely grateful to the members of this group for their assistance and wise counsel as we move forward."

Murray State’s Hutson School of Agriculture has the largest estimated pre-veterinary medicine/veterinary technology enrollment of any university in Kentucky, and is just one of three programs in Kentucky that is fully accredited by the AVMA.

Murray State students are provided valuable hands-on learning opportunities that prepare them for success upon graduation. The University’s A. Carman Animal Health Technology Center, located on Murray State’s West Farm in Calloway County, offers state-of-the-art equipment and supplies to prepare students for a career in the field of veterinary medicine.

The Breathitt Veterinary Center at Murray State University, under the direction of the Hutson School of Agriculture, is located in Christian County and is a nationally preeminent animal disease diagnostic laboratory dedicated to protecting the invaluable assets of Kentucky’s equine, livestock and poultry industries. The center is the only Level 1 Laboratory Status designated by the USDA National Animal Health Laboratory system and one of only 60 laboratories in the United States (one of 23 laboratories with Level 1 status). The center serves as an important teaching and learning facility for Murray State students.

"I am very grateful to this amazing group of professionals for their willingness to serve on this Task Force,” said Murray State University Hutson School of Agriculture Dean Dr. Brian Parr. “The knowledge and wisdom that this group represents will be critical to mapping the course for a School of Veterinary Medicine at Murray State University. I look forward to working with each member!”