In September 2023, the ACVIM proudly announced the launch of a new Fellowship Program, a transformative initiative designed to advance veterinary expertise and foster collaborative excellence in the field of veterinary internal medicine. Among the first approved fellowship programs are those specializing in infectious diseases at the University of California-Davis (UC Davis) and interventional cardiology at Colorado State University (CSU).

Until recently, options were limited for Diplomates of the ACVIM who wanted to further specialize in their field. The first Fellowship program was officially approved by the ACVIM Fellowship committee in January earlier this year. This marks the dawn of additional advanced training opportunities for veterinary specialists over an extended period of time. Additional applications have been submitted and are pending approval. The ACVIM fully expects more applications to help further our mission of improving lives of animals and people globally as well as extending our mission of being the trusted leader in veterinary education, discovery and medical excellence.

"The fellowship program will enable ACVIM to approve programs from any private practice or academic institution that meet a set of established criteria. Providing such programs will lend prestige, allowing them to attract top-quality trainees."

“It’s the direction that human medicine took a long time ago,” said Dr. Keith Richter, chair of the Fellowship committee and past chair of ACVIM’s Fellowship Task Force. “With demand from Diplomates and institutions alike, an opportunity for training in a narrower field is much needed. The fellowship program will enable ACVIM to approve programs from any private practice or academic institution that meet a set of established criteria. Providing such programs will lend prestige, allowing them to attract top-quality trainees."

As the first ACVIM fellowship program in infectious diseases, UC Davis envisions shaping the future of veterinary specialty medicine in this field. They express excitement at the potential to lead the way in advancing specialty veterinary internal medicine for the benefit of dogs and cats and their owners. With a focus on addressing emerging infectious threats and the interconnectedness of animal and human health, UC Davis aims to close the communication gap between veterinarians, public health professionals and physicians, advancing the concept of One Health.

“Infectious disease fellows can play an important role in providing consultation on infectious diseases to clinicians in other disciplines, as well as informing on public health implications, antimicrobial stewardship, and hospital infection control matters,” said Dr. Jane Sykes, UC Davis Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program Director.

With a focus on interventional cardiology, CSU leads the way as one of the pioneering ACVIM fellowship programs, highlighting the increasing importance of sub-specialization in veterinary medicine. They aim to push the boundaries of what is possible in the field by providing focused training and fostering innovation. Inspired by the success of fellowship training in human medicine, CSU seeks to develop a network of experts dedicated to advancing cardiac interventions for animals and elevating the standard of care for animals with heart disease.

“The overarching aim is to push the boundaries of what is possible in the field of veterinary interventional cardiology to advance the care of animals with heart disease," said Dr. Brian Scansen, CSU Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program Director. I believe a fellowship program is one part of the plan that helps us achieve this aim."

Approved programs, and further information regarding the ACVIM Fellowship program can be found online here. The next deadline to submit new applications is March 1, 2024. Questions about the Fellowship Program can be sent to Certification@ACVIM.org.