Zoological Medicine Residency

Program Information

The Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine offers a three-year Residency in Zoological Medicine. The program is supervised by a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM). The three faculty members involved in the first two years of the program are Diplomates of the ACZM, and one is also a Diplomate of the ACVM (Virology, Bacteriology/Mycology). The third year of the residency is mentored by two Diplomates of the ACZM. The individual completing this program will have attained a broad clinical base for future involvement in a variety of nondomestic animal practices including zoos, wildlife parks, primate centers, research institutions, universities, or privately owned hospitals.

The first two years of the three-year certificate program primarily involve participation in the Zoological Medicine Service within the UF Veterinary Hospitals (UFVH) and in field activities at collaborating Florida zoological facilities, including Lubee Bat Conservancy, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, and Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo. Approximately 2,000 cases are seen within the UFVH and another 1,000 cases are evaluated/treated in the field at zoological facilities. The third year of the residency will be primarily at White Oak Conservation Center, working under their clinical veterinarians, both Diplomates of the ACZM. White Oak Conservation Center is located near the Florida/Georgia border and is a private conservation facility that houses a large collection of endangered hoofstock, cheetahs, and birds. There are approximately 3,000 medical evaluations or treatments performed annually within the collection. Housing is provided on site at White Oak, with pets conditionally permitted to be housed on site.

During the first two years, residents are involved in teaching and training third and fourth year veterinary students, with four to six students rotating through an elective Clerkship in Zoological Medicine every two weeks. While a majority of the students will be from the University of Florida, veterinary students from other veterinary colleges also take the clerkship. In addition, there is a rotating intern that will spend approximately half of the year with the Zoological Medicine Service. While at White Oak, the residents are also involved in teaching and training third or fourth year rotating veterinary students.

The college requires that all Residents receive, in addition to clinical training, some exposure to investigative approaches during their residency. A Residency Research Project is a requirement of all Residents in the CDPM Department, and the awarding of a Resident Certificate is dependent on completion of this project by January of the second year and organization of findings into a scientific paper for submission to a refereed journal prior to the end of the second year. There is a research training course for first year residents. Annual presentation in the Resident and Intern Series is required. Residents are also expected to submit a clinical case report or series to a refereed journal by the end of the first year. Active participation in a weekly journal club for board preparation is also expected.

A major aim of this residency program is to graduate veterinarians who are eligible to take the board exam. To attain this goal, it is necessary to complete the publication requirements for the Certification Examination of the ACZM by March of the 3rd year.

Potential applicants are encouraged to contact and/or visit the Zoological Medicine Service and White Oak Conservation Center for further information. Alternatively, representatives from these facilities are usually present at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. Application must be made by January 11, 2021, through the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians Matching Program, 1024 Dublin Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43215-1167; Phone No.: 614-488-0617; Fax. No.: 614-488-0352; www.virmp.org. For additional information contact Dr. Amy Alexander, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida; alexandera@ufl.edu

 

Qualifications

At least one year of post graduate clinical experience.

Caseload

The following information represents the average of cases in direct support of this program

Total No. Annual Cases Average Daily No. Cases Presented to Hospital Average No. Cases Treated Daily as Outpatients Average No. of Inpatients Each Day Average No. Daily Surgeries Performed Average No. of Emergency Cases Seen Daily
2,845 7 3 16 1 3

Number of Faculty/Clinicians in Direct Support of Program: 3

Zoological Medicine has 5 veterinary technicians/assistants to support the service.

Application Requirements

  • Standard VIRMP Application Packet
    • VIRMP Application
    • Veterinary School Official Transcript from University Registrar
    • Personal Statement
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • 3 – 4 Standardized Letters of Reference
  • Additional Requirements from the Program
    • Three letters from professionals familiar with training, clinical experience
  • Additional information for graduates of universities outside of the United States and Canada
    • Visa Sponsorship

If you will require visa sponsoring or are unsure about your work status, please review the Information for Foreign Applicants page and contact this program prior to applying. Please be aware that some programs listed in the VIRMP accept applications ONLY from citizens of the United States (or Canada if a Canadian program) or from applicants who possess permanent residency status at the time of application.