The Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) Laboratory Animal Medicine externship program is designed to be an introduction to Comparative
Medicine and/or Comparative Pathology. The experience can be matched to the extern's interests and culminates in a short project and presentation.
Vanderbilt has been accredited by AAALAC-International since 1967 and the Animal Care and Use Program provides clinical care to a wide range of species including rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, dogs, sheep, swine, tree shrew, nonhuman primates (multiple species), zebra finches, zebrafish, and amphibians. The Division of Comparative Medicine includes nine faculty members including two Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Pathology, four Diplomates of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, and one Certified Professional IACUC Administrator, and two Veterinary Residents.
Externs will be expected to work Monday-Friday, eight hours per day. Depending on the extern's area of interest, the student will have the opportunity to shadow various aspects of a vibrant Laboratory Animal Research operation. In addition, externs will have the opportunity to attend departmental meetings in order to get a broader sense of how a large research enterprise operates. Finally, externs will also be given the opportunity to sit in on any Laboratory Animal Medicine Residency Program classes and seminars.