University of Pennsylvania veterinarians and students will practice at a suburban Philadelphia hospital under a new partnership called Penn Vet Affiliates. Mount Laurel Animal Hospital in New Jersey is Penn Vet’s first affiliated clinic, the university announced Monday. The arrangement provides greater access to clinical trials and to Penn Vet specialists, who at times will work out of Mount Laurel. In addition, students enrolled in the School of Veterinary Medicine will “gain educational and training opportunities in a private practice setting,” Penn Vet stated. “There are many choices for specialty care in South Jersey; however, we are proud to offer a unique family-friendly experience with the cutting-edge Penn Vet standard of medicine,” said Robert Mankowski, VMD, co-owner of Mount Laurel Animal Hospital. The service will save pet owners from having to drive 20 miles from Mount Laurel to Penn Vet in Philadelphia. “We’ve listened to our clients, and what we’ve learned over the years is that they need increased access to the specialty care that we provide,” said Bo Connell, MS, MBA, the executive director of Penn Vet’s Ryan Veterinary Hospital. “By extending our board-certified specialists to affiliated practices, patients will receive the same standard of care available at Ryan Hospital but in a location that is closer to home.” Any future affiliate hospitals “must meet specific criteria regarding patient care, personnel, continuing education and more,” according to the university.
