Innovative Partnership between Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine and Southern Veterinary Partners Aimed at Reducing Student Debt

Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) announces a partnership with Southern Veterinary Partners (SVP) aimed at reducing student debt and hiring quality veterinary associates. The SVP LMU-CVM Student Clinical Year Award will provide financial support to select LMU-CVM veterinary students to significantly mitigate their student debt and create a path for employment with the company following graduation.

“One of the greatest challenges facing our beloved profession is the mounting student debt. This can negatively impact a veterinarian’s quality of life and ultimately, cause them to question their career path,” said Dr. Jay Price, CEO of Southern Veterinary Partners. “As a leader in our industry, Southern Veterinary Partners is committed to being a problem solver and this tuition reduction award is a monumental first step to tackling the  student debt crisis.”

Southern Veterinary Partners will provide up to two awards annually to select fourth-year LMU-CVM veterinary students in the amount of $25,000 each, with the funds being directly applied to the student’s clinical year tuition. These students will complete a specified amount of their clinical training in approved SVP hospitals during their clinical year.

“SVP is currently partnering with LMU-CVM to train fourth-year veterinary students and this is a natural evolution of that program,” Price said. “Our company has skilled veterinarians that enjoy teaching and training students. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this new education model.  SVP gets to invest in veterinary students, help lower their student debt and hire veterinary students with real-world clinical and practical experience.  It is a win-win for everyone!”

The clinical year program at LMU-CVM is an innovative hybrid distributive community-based education model. Part of the program utilizes veterinary hospitals to provide clinical educational experiences to fourth-year students. Students spend up to 32 weeks at these hospitals, along with 12 weeks at institutional sites with faculty, providing students with a unique, hands-on clinical educational experience. Southern Veterinary Partners is one of LMU-CVM’s clinical affiliates that provides educational training for students in both core curricular and elective rotations.

“This innovative partnership is a wonderful example of how academic and private practice partnerships can contribute to creating a brighter future for veterinary students and recent graduates,” said LMU-CVM Vice President and Dean Dr. Jason Johnson. “Our mutual commitment to produce a highly skilled graduate that will have significant debt reduction is a perfect example of how the veterinary ecosystem can become involved in preparing the workforce of tomorrow.”

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About Lincoln Memorial University

Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The LMU-College of Veterinary Medicine is located on LMU’s main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee, with additional academic facilities in nearby Lee County, Virginia. LMU-CVM is an integral part of the University’s medical programs and provides real-world, community-based education in a collaborative learning environment. For more information about LMU-CVM, call 1.800.325.0900, ext. 7150 or visit vetmed.LMUnet.edu.

About Southern Veterinary Partners

Southern Veterinary Partners, based in Birmingham, Alabama, is a veterinarian owned and managed regional network of animal hospitals with the common goal of providing the highest quality veterinary care to companion animals with exceptional client experiences. As of October 2018, Southern Veterinary Partners has 64 animal hospitals across 10 southern states and has been named to Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America.