Photos courtesy of Leah Secord
Since its inception in 2010, the Food Animal Veterinary Medical Scholars (FAVeMedS) program at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) has been essential in cultivating the next generation of food animal veterinarians. This highly selective initiative identifies and facilitates mentorship of first-year undergraduate students who show qualifications and motivation in food animal veterinary medicine.
In collaboration with faculty from UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and UW-River Falls – campuses rich in animal, biomedical, and veterinary sciences – up to four first-year students are admitted to FAVeMedS each year, with preference given to Wisconsin residents.
“From the beginning, the SVM wanted to partner with faculty and dairy practitioners to mentor and support these talented students on their path to practice as food animal veterinarians in our home state,” says Lynn M. Maki (’00), the SVM’s associate dean for student academic affairs.
Participants accepted into FAVeMedS are conditionally granted admission to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at the SVM after three years of undergraduate studies. This admission is determined upon successfully completing rigorous academic, research, and mentored clinical experiences required of program participants. This early assurance allows students to focus on developing their skills and gaining relevant experience.
Between 2010 and 2023, the SVM has welcomed 32 students into the FAVeMedS program. Of these, 24 have successfully graduated, while the remaining eight continue their studies in the DVM program or other undergraduate coursework. A notable 83% of graduates have pursued careers in food animal practice across Wisconsin. A few alumni have branched out into diverse fields, including equine embryo transfer in Oklahoma, public health with the USDA in Texas, anatomic pathology instruction at UW veterinary Care, and small animal veterinary practice in rural Wisconsin. These achievements highlight how hands-on experience paves the path to advanced education and prepares students to excel in food animal medicine.
Additional significant contributions to the field have been made by FAVeMedS alumni. Leah Secord (DVM’22), a graduate of the program, is currently a veterinarian at Waunakee Veterinary Service. Growing up on a dairy farm in Sauk City, Wisc., Secord was already drawn to food animal veterinary medicine when she entered the program. Throughout her undergraduate years, she benefited from FAVeMedS’ structured mentorship and hands-on experience, including shadowing food animal veterinarians, working on large-scale dairy farms, and conducting research. One of the most valuable aspects of the program for Secord was her experience with research, particularly her undergraduate project assessing the quality of recycled sand bedding on a dairy farm.
“The research component made me realize how practical and important simple on-farm studies are,” says Secord. “In practice, I’ve conducted my own trials improving calf rearing protocols and assessing the impacts of these changes. The program provides structure for gaining useful experience prior to entering veterinary school.”
Cole Anderson (DVM’19), another standout graduate, works at United Veterinary Service, providing vital care to food animals across Wisconsin. Emil Walleser (DVM’00 PhD’23), originally from DeSoto, Wisc., is now an AI Engineer at Mars, where he applies his veterinary knowledge in the realm of technology. Jason Kroll (DVM’17), who grew up on a small dairy farm near Highland, Wisc., now practices at Lodi Veterinary Clinic, continuing his passion for food animal care. These alumni exemplify the program’s success in preparing graduates for diverse and impactful careers in veterinary medicine.
As the program looks to the future, it remains steadfast in its mission to support Wisconsin’s agricultural communities by training veterinarians who are not only skilled clinicians but also passionate advocates for food animal health. To enhance impact, the program has continually evolved its mentorship and support systems. According to Maki, FAVeMedS has deepened its focus on clinical mentoring opportunities and well as strengthening relationships with campus faculty advisors at specific campuses.
“Relationships between FAVeMedS students and their faculty and veterinary mentors are invaluable,” Maki says. “These connections ensure that students have appropriate academic and professional support as they prepare for a career in food animal or dairy medicine.”
By Simran Khanuja