University of California, Davis announced plans to raise $115 million to update and improve three areas of its Veterinary Medical Center (VMC): the Livestock and Field Service Center, the Equine Performance Center, and the All-Species Imaging Center. This campaign, Leading the Way, marks the first phase in a long-term plan to transform the VMC. According to the university, its veterinary teaching hospital is overdue for an update. Opened in 1970 to serve 3,000 patients per year, the hospital now sees more than 50,000 patients annually. Space, layout, and capacity constraints are a problem, as is the speed at which clients receive care. “… Let’s take some much-needed next steps, ones that ensure that UC Davis will continue to offer world-class care and an unbeatable education for students with a comprehensive veterinary medical center that builds on UC Davis’ strengths and reinforces our role as a world leader,” said Gary May, UC Davis chancellor. The university already has raised $67 million—more than half of the campaign goal—prior to the announcement. Davis' first phase The Livestock and Field Service Center will become the first patient-service area to come online. Upgrades and modifications will improve student and clinician safety, and give patients an optimal environment. Further, the Equine Performance Center will feature a new arena and gait-analysis capability for lameness evaluations. With the opportunity to observe horses performing under saddle, the hospital’s equine specialists will be able to better detect and treat the underlying injury or medical condition. This facility design includes state-of-the-art force-plate and video analysis rarely available in veterinary settings. Davis hopes to open a new avenue to improved performance through the application of clinical research. Also, the All Species Imaging Center, pivotal to all hospital clinical specialties, which will be centrally located to serve all patients, large and small. The placement of the latest in imaging technology and expertise will speed diagnosis and patient care, reduce stress and wait time for patients, and optimize operational efficiencies. “Our vision will ensure access to the best options for veterinary care,” said Michael Lairmore, dean. “The Veterinary Medical Center will be unlike any in the world, one that combines compassionate health care for animals with innovations from across our university, a spirit of discovery, and a passion for education that will transform veterinary medicine into the future.”
