Maryland’s two Democratic U.S. senators, Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, announced that $1,071,000 in direct federal funding has been earmarked for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s (UMES) School of Veterinary Medicine within the fiscal year 2024 funding package passed by the Senate this year.
These funds, included at the senators’ request, will support UMES in establishing a new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program. The funding will make the program the second HBCU in the country and the first university in Maryland to offer such a program.
Tuskegee University in Alabama is the only HBCU with an accredited veterinary medicine program in the country presently.
The UMES program will prepare students for careers as pet and agricultural veterinarians and support the industry’s growing demand.
“Investing in the education of Maryland’s future veterinarians will help protect our agricultural economy and improve access to veterinary care,” Van Hollen said. “These funds will make UMES a regional pioneer, providing top-notch education in veterinary medicine and creating opportunity for students to enter an understaffed but critical field.”
Cardin said, “The Eastern Shore is a powerhouse for agriculture in Maryland.”
“Establishing a program at one of the region’s premier institutions will provide more opportunities for young people to learn the tools of the trade in their own backyard,” said Cardin. “With the proven track record of UMES student and professor success stories, we know this program will provide a valuable pipeline to an industry that is in critical need of well-trained professionals.”
UMES President Heidi M. Anderson thanked the senators for their support.
“This funding continues the strong momentum we are experiencing as we continue to take the steps necessary to achieve accreditation for this historic program,” Anderson said. “Their efforts will benefit UMES and the communities we serve with a School of Veterinary Medicine.”
