Ohio State University expects to break ground in September on the first phase of the $30 million expansion and upgrade of the Veterinary Medical Center. The university board of trustees approved the first phase June 6, clearing the way for $13.8 million in work that will include renovation of the intensive care unit at the Hospital for Companion Animals and construction of conference space and faculty and staff offices in a freestanding building connected to the hospital. The overall project will include the construction or renovation of 57,000 square feet at the hospital. Planned are clinical, teaching and surgery space, a new lobby and reception area, and improvements to patient rooms, animal holding areas and admission and discharge locations, the university reported. Ohio State University An exterior view of the planned Veterinary Medical Center at Ohio State University. “We look forward to having a facility that reflects the excellence of our clinical and academic programs, and the expert compassionate care that we provide to our patients and clients,” said Rustin Moore, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVS, the College of Veterinary Medicine’s associate executive dean and the executive director of the Veterinary Medical Center. Fundraising is ongoing for the last three phases of the project. “We are so appreciative of our generous donors who have helped to make Phase One of this project a reality,” Dr. Moore said. Ohio State's Veterinary Medical Center records more than 33,000 livestock, equine and companion animal patient visits a year. The veterinary college employs 130 faculty members and has an enrollment of about 620 students.
