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Administrative Experience
My chief goal was to reestablish Cornell as the pre-eminent college of veterinary medicine in the United States by promoting an innovative, forward-looking academic program, and establishing a sustainable administrative structure.
A three-pronged integrated approach, launched in year one, was devised to:
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Position the academic programs of veterinary medicine to become integrated within the life sciences of Cornell.
- Establish three academic priorities representing emerging opportunities in veterinary medicine and the biomedical sciences. When implemented, these programs would integrate the basic and clinical sciences of the college, and the college within Cornell’s life sciences programs. As a result of a faculty-initiated strategic planning process in 2007, we instituted programs in cancer biology and oncology, genomics and medical genetics, and pathogenic bacteriology.
- Reconfigure departmental structure to align with contemporary veterinary and biomedical science initiatives. In July 2008, we created three new departments (molecular medicine, biomedical sciences, population medicine and diagnostic sciences), preserved two departments with minor modifications (microbiology and immunology, and clinical sciences), and lapsed four departments (anatomy, pathology, physiology and pharmacology). This was the most substantial departmental reconfiguration in the history of the college.
The results of these efforts were strongly supported by the university administration and campus leaders in the biomedical and physical sciences, and the college became an integral leader of the campus life sciences initiative. Extramural research funding increased in both basic and clinical areas, and a $55m life sciences building was completed in 2007. Funding was also obtained for a $80m Diagnostic Center (to open in 2010).
Successful programs in clinical oncology, as well as several other clinical disciplines were established. The residency and graduate programs expanded significantly, and a DVM/PhD program was established in 2000. Cornell regained number one ranking among U.S. veterinary colleges (U.S. News and World Report).
Led the development of Cornell’s new problem-based veterinary curriculum that was implemented in 1993 and remains in effect (though with significant updates) to the present. My portfolio later expanded to include serving all academic affairs and as deputy dean for administration. On two occasions (total eight months), I served as acting dean during the absence of the dean.
Expanded programs in several areas, most notably theriogenology, large animal medicine and surgery, small animal medicine and community practice service, and epidemiology. Established equine performance testing laboratory.
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