Contact: Joy Nabors

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is announcing changes to its administrative structure and the promotion of faculty and staff in the Animal Health Center, or AHC.

According to MSU CVM Dean Dr. Nicholas Frank, in response to AHC growth, the administrative structure has been modified to allow for clinic leadership roles to be as efficient, responsive and sustainable as possible.

Dr. Christine Bryan is serving as interim small animal hospital director and Dr. Heath King is serving as interim large animal hospital director. In these roles, Bryan and King work with service chiefs, faculty, staff and house officers to provide first-class clinical services and optimize the learning environment within the AHC.

As small animal hospital director, Bryan works with faculty, staff and students to ensure the AHC provides the best care possible for patients and clients while teaching students how to provide this level of care. A 2006 MSU CVM graduate, Bryan worked as a small animal practitioner before returning to the college to complete a small animal internal medicine internship and residency. Following another stint in private practice, she returned to the CVM in 2013 and joined the AHC Community Veterinary Services team. She continues to spend 50% of her time as a clinical instructor in CVS.

As large animal hospital director, King plays a similar role to Bryan in ensuring top-quality care is rendered to patients while preparing students for their veterinary careers. He evaluates and responds to the needs and challenges in this area of the AHC while promoting faculty expertise and services. King, who graduated from MSU CVM in 2007 and stayed to complete a large animal internship and theriogenology residency, was previously large animal chief of staff. He has been an assistant clinical professor with the Theriogenology Service in the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine for almost 17 years and continues to spend 50% of his time as a clinical instructor with the service.

“The AHC has grown considerably since I was a student, both in terms of faculty and staff but also caseload,” said King. “It is my privilege to serve the AHC by helping provide faculty, students and staff with the support and resources needed to accomplish their work.”

Former AHC Small Animal Chief of Staff Dr. Michaela Beasley now is serving as interim director of hospital business operations. In this newly created role, she oversees client accounts, medical records, client admissions, the AHC budget, and the pharmacy. These core services support both the small and large animal hospitals.

After graduating from MSU CVM with her DVM in 2008, Beasley completed a small animal rotating internship and Master of Science at Auburn University. She completed her neurology/neurosurgery residency between Auburn and MSU and has served the CVM since 2012. She continues to spend 50% of her time with the Neurology Service.

Certified Veterinary Technician Nancy Wilson also has joined the AHC administrative team in a new role focused on the recruitment and retention of veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants. A 20-year MSU CVM employee, Wilson completed her associate degree in veterinary technology in 2001 through Hinds Community College. In 2004 she accepted a position at MSU CVM where she has worked with services including anesthesia and intensive care. Wilson continues working with the Anesthesia Service and dedicates 20% of her time to her new administrative role.

“This outstanding team of experienced professionals will work together to lead the AHC, and I am excited about the future of our small animal and large animal hospitals in their hands,” said Frank. “The AHC is the cornerstone of the hands-on clinical training our students receive, and this new leadership team understands that. We are operating a world-class veterinary medical center serving the state of Mississippi that also functions as a place for learning and discovery of new knowledge.”

In contrast to most other veterinary medicine programs, MSU CVM students spend two full years in the clinical environment in preparation for veterinary practice. The AHC serves as a place for veterinary students, veterinary technology students, interns and residents to learn as they work with world-class faculty and staff, and it is essential to the mission of the college.

MSU College of Veterinary Medicine provides two full years of clinical experience with students receiving training in all species and completing more than 50 surgeries prior to graduation. The college is nationally recognized for its shelter medicine and aquaculture programs, as well as research in antimicrobial resistance. It is the only college of veterinary medicine to lead a USAID innovation lab and offers both B.S. in veterinary medical technology and joint DVM-Ph.D. programs. For more information, visit www.cvm.msstate.edu.