Cornell offers new veterinary business certification program

In a university release, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine announced the launch of its new veterinary business and management certification program offered this fall semester 2022.¹ The program is focused on providing veterinary students the opportunity to pursue advanced training in business and management disciplines.

“The new Certificate in Veterinary Business and Management is an important step in realizing Cornell’s strategic priority to establish the Cornell Center for Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship (CVBE) to strengthen veterinarians’ business and management skills,” said Lorin D. Warnick, DVM, PhD, the Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine, in the release. “I look forward to seeing the impact this new certificate program will have on the careers of our graduates and the positive influence they in turn will have on the larger veterinary profession.”¹

Jorge Colón, DVM, MBA, an associate professor of practice​ with the CVBE, created the program to give graduates the skills needed to succeed in any veterinary field. He said, “Mastering financial and business skills is necessary for all veterinarians, even if you aren’t a business owner. This certificate will help our graduates succeed in any workplace and equip them to lead the profession into new frontiers.”¹

The certificate program consists of 8 elective courses in 6 focus areas including:¹

• Financial literacy
• Professional development
• Financial management
• Organizational management
• Personal development
• Entrepreneurship

After meeting these course requirements, eligible students will complete a capstone experience, in which they apply their business and management knowledge to a real-world veterinary project.

“The Capstone Project will provide a living lab experience for students, with opportunities to work on business projects in our teaching hospitals and with our corporate partners, to strengthen creative problem-solving skills and to gain valuable real-life experience working in multidisciplinary and diverse teams,” Colón said.¹

According to the release, completed capstones will consist of a written report and presentation, as well as an updated ePortfolio, a digital document that allows students to showcase their interests and skills to potential future employers.

“There’s a huge push in the veterinary profession to reduce the debt-to-income ratio, and most of the focus is on reducing the debt side of that equation,” David Lee, DVM, MBA, associate dean for external programs and director of the CVBE, said in the release. “This program support both sides. Not only does it teach our students to be fiscally knowledgeable, but it also increases their value in the marketplace, helping them to earn more at whatever position they choose.”¹

Current third-year student, Elena Bettale, DVM ’24, expressed her excitement to pursue this new offering at the college. She said, “I am beyond excited to finally have the opportunity to hone my business knowledge in a way that is relevant and appropriate for the veterinary profession. The official proof of a certificate will not only boost the beginning of my career as I search for my first job, but the skills I acquired will benefit me in the long run when I hopefully have my own clinic one day.”¹

Reference

Cornell Center for Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship announces new certification program. News release. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Published November 1, 2022. Accessed November 2, 2022. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/news/20221101/cornell-center-veterinary-business-and-entrepreneurship-announces-certification-program