With the addition of 17 fellows this year, the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Academic Leadership Program now is training and supporting 40 veterinary clinicians who are considering careers in academia.

Only about 6% of veterinarians in the United States are engaged in academic practice, and a shortage of educators is expected only to grow as more than 10 new veterinary colleges open in the next few years. The challenges are compounded by retirements and numerous specialty-trained veterinarians entering private specialty practice.

As a result, NC State launched the Veterinary Academic Leadership or VAL fellowship in 2023 with its first cohort of 10 hospital residents representing nine specialties. In 2024, the program added 12 fellows in 11 specialties.

“NC State is deeply committed to training the next generation of clinician scientists and academicians,” says Dr. Joshua Stern, associate dean for research and graduate studies at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. “We are working to answer the questions of who will train the next generation of veterinarians, who will develop the new therapies of the future and who will lead our profession for years to come.”

The three-year-long program focuses on research, professional skills, teaching and mentoring, career wellness and camaraderie to help set up the new veterinarians for success.

“These extraordinary veterinarians and resident trainees work side-by-side with our leading professors and industry experts to develop a toolkit that prepares them to compete and succeed as faculty members and clinician scientists at veterinary colleges throughout the world,” Stern says.

The VAL fellows for 2025 are:

• Dr. Amanda Day — Zoological Medicine
• Dr. Ana Carolyne Borges de Oliveira — Laboratory Animal
• Dr. Catharine Found — Food Animal
• Dr. Megan Gragg — Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Dr. Michelle Greenfield-Feig — Zoological Medicine
• Dr. Jake Johnson — Cardiology
• Dr. Mary Ann Lee — Dermatology
• Dr. Noemi Nisini — Laboratory Animal
• Dr. Vanessa Raphtis — Comparative Ophthalmology
• Dr. Justin Smith — Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Dr. Vasiliki Stathopoulou — Small Animal Internal Medicine
• Dr. Hannah Stephen — Anatomic Pathology
• Dr. Samuel Tucker — Anesthesia and Analgesia
• Dr. Raisa Velez-Contreras — Diagnostic Imaging
• Dr. Jessica Wakeman — Anatomic Pathology
• Dr. Alexandria Windrup — Large Animal Surgery
• Dr. Leia Yoon — Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care

“With our innovative VAL program, NC State is making an intentional investment in the future of our profession,” Stern says. “We’re building a community of veterinary academic leaders through a combination of small group training opportunities, research funding and formal continuing education support.”

Found says she’s excited to be chosen as a VAL fellow and is considering the program a “compass” to help her navigate her shift from private practice to academia.

“I’m looking forward to using it as a roadmap to guide me through research endeavors, grant-writing skills, statistical approaches and teaching materials,” she says. “My goal is to teach and inspire students. But to do so effectively, I need the comprehensive skill set that the Veterinary Academic Leadership Program provides to become a well-rounded educator.”

Johnson says he envisions himself in an academic setting after he finishes his residency in cardiology at NC State.

“Overall, teaching has always been one of my favorite parts of veterinary medicine,” Johnson says. “I’m particularly drawn to the VAL program’s built-in mentoring structure. The entire program is geared toward providing resources and connections that will undoubtedly allow all its participants to become effective educators.”