Veterinary Medical Education Initiative Focused on Early Career Success

The Veterinary Medical Education Initiative (VMEI) has been established by AAVMC to scan the veterinary medical education continuum and identify potential gaps in the system and opportunities for improvement. Comprised of educators from around the globe, the VMEI has identified the transition to early career success as its initial area of focus.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, turnover in veterinary practices averages over 20%, which is significantly higher than in other professions. Reports from medical and veterinary employers indicate it can take as much as 18 months for a new graduate to become fully productive. Studies have shown that the stress of the transition to early career can lead to burnout and impact new graduates’ wellbeing and resilience.

There are things that the academic and practice communities can do to better prepare and support graduates in these formative early years and the VMEI is focusing on these initiatives.

The VMEI presented an overview of its work during the AAVMC’s 2021 Annual Meeting. During the session, representatives outlined VMEI  goals, discussed challenges facing graduates as they transition to early career, and featured exemplars from around the world who mapped out potential strategies.

VMEI Members