Project Objectives
This is a teaching enhancement projects in veterinary medicine (DVM). The objective of this project is to develop a new framework, curriculum and delivery mechanism that will transform the mindset and skill set for veterinarian’s tasked with safely feeding the world. There is a serious shortage of veterinarians to support the supply safe and wholesome food. There is a need for experts to work in today’s complex farming, food production, and processing systems. A veterinarian working in the food supply chain must understand the implications of decisions throughout the food, environment and public health systems. They must understand the “systems approach” to problem solving. The systems approach is a holistic view of the elements and processes working together to produce a desired result. However, changing veterinary education is difficult because current students are overloaded with information. There is no time for more courses, labs or rotations. Innovative methods in this project are to 1) modify existing food animal topics providing current content while imparting the systems methodology and 2) apply concrete systems engineering principles through partnership with the engineering college. We will develop at least one Systems Trainer at each collaborating university, Iowa State University, Kansas State University and University of Arkansas. These trainers, who are well versed in application of systems engineering methods to veterinary medicine and food safety, will work with selected faculty to modify some of their existing lectures. The revised lectures will include the original content while setting the information into systems based examples.