Midwestern University publicizes college of veterinary medicine proposal

Midwestern University announced that it is aiming to help advance veterinary education by developing the Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine-Illinois located on the Downs Grove campus. The announcement of the decision was made by Kathleen H. Goeppinger, PhD, president and chief executive officer of Midwestern University, in response to the need for skilled veterinary professionals to provide care.

The proposed veterinary school will also hopefully help fulfill the need for critical research to aid in public health and fill the need for qualified professionals to serve as educators and leaders in the profession. According to the organization release,¹ Coretta Cosby Patterson, DVM, DACVIM-SA, has been selected to serve as the dean of the school, if the proposal is accepted.

“With a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the field, Dr. Patterson brings invaluable expertise to the College's mission of educating the next generation of veterinarians,” expressed Goeppinger, in the release.¹

Patterson graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree as well as 2 Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She then went on to complete a residency at Michigan State University in Small/Companion Animal Medicine as well as a residency in small animal internal medicine. Currently, Patterson holds a license to practice veterinary medicine in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, and New Mexico.

The first class at the proposed college, pending approval, is expected to enroll in 2026 and at this time, the proposal is currently under review by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education.¹ If approved, Midwestern University’s veterinary school will become the second in the state, following the University of Illinois Urban-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine.

Reference

Midwestern University Announces New College of Veterinary Medicine Proposal. News release. Midwestern University. June 11, 2024. Accessed June 18, 2024.