BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION VETERINARY WORKFORCE: A PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM TO PROTECT THE NATION�S AGRICULTURE

Through the proposed training program, our goal is the expansion of the veterinary workforce dedicated to the protection of the nation's agriculture and the promotion of public health. We will accomplish this goal through the training of three veterinary professionals with advanced technical expertise in agricultural biosecurity and the proficiency to share their expertise with the sectors involved in the implementation of biosecurity measures. We will deliver a rigorous, three-year post-doctoral training program (Fellowship) that culminates in a Master of Public Health degree and eligibility for National Board Certification in Veterinary Preventive Medicine. Fellows will design and implement scenario-based animal disease outbreak training exercises that simulate relevant field conditions and stakeholder priorities. Participants of the training exercises will represent diverse agencies involved with the protection of agricultural resources, including the Ohio Department of Agriculture, USDA, and emergency response services. Our proposal directly addresses the main goal of the National Needs Fellowship grant program: to promote advances in U.S. Food, Agricultural, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences through the training of new students, to fill nationally identified expertise shortage areas. Additionally, by requiring our Fellows to engage with multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary national and international stakeholders, Fellows will cultivate leadership, management, and communication skills. The Fellowship will generate global leaders in the agriculture sector, because a health threat anywhere is a health threat everywhere.