Georgia makes new veterinary school necessity

ATLANTA — The Georgia University System Board of Regents deemed a new veterinary teaching hospital on the campus of the University of Georgia (UG) a top priority and added the project to a list of construction plans to be presented to the Georgia General Assembly.

"The teaching hospital hasn't really been changed since its inception 26 years ago," says Dr. Doug Allen, UG hospital director, "We are thrilled to be on the list."

There are 34 institutions in the state vying for funding, officials say, so getting on the list is a big step. The university plans to convert the current teaching hospital into more classrooms and offices while building an entirely new structure for the hospital.

"The hospital is about 50,000 square feet right now, and we want the new one to be about 150,000 square feet," says Dot Sparer, director of communications at the university's veterinary school. "The physical plan of the old hospital will stay the same."

The proposed project would cost $68.5 million, Sparer adds.

"A new hospital isn't only important for students and faculty, but a teaching hospital is either a draw or deterrent in attracting new faculty, she explains. "Right now, our hospital isn't meeting the demand for service. A larger hospital and additional staff would improve our ability to handle a much larger caseload."

The new hospital would be built on a 100-acre property the university owns off Barnett Shoals Road.