Vision
The Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine program (VDPAM) is recognized as a leader, sought as a collaborator, and trusted as a provider of solutions to the food animal and population medicine challenges of the world.
Mission
The mission of VDPAM is to educate current and future food animal veterinarians, population medicine scientists and stakeholders by increasing our understanding of issues that impact the health, productivity and well-being of food and fiber producing animals; developing innovative solutions for animal health and food safety; and providing the highest quality, most comprehensive clinical practice and diagnostic services.
Units within VDPAM:
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
- Veterinary Extension
- Veterinary Field Services
- Food Supply Veterinary Medicine
- Food Animal and Camelid Hospital
Teaching
Our professional and graduate programs emphasize both basic and applied clinical skills for all students, offering over 100 food-animal focused course offerings. Additionally, we provide advanced training in large animal medicine and specialized training for those interested in production medicine. These advanced programs are taught with the premise that the veterinarian can bring a broad-based systems approach to all phases of livestock production in a systematic and effective manner.
Research
Our faculty research diseases that significantly impact swine, beef, dairy, sheep, and poultry producers, as well as consumers of animal products. Extensive access to field cases allows us to identify major issues and emphasizes our ability to develop effective solutions.
Professional Practice
Our Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory processes upwards of 125,000 cases annually, leveraging advanced technology to ensure rapid and accurate results for practitioners and producers.
Veterinary Field Services provides top-notch, on-farm care to livestock producers in Ames, with mobile veterinary trucks offering health services for various animals, including beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, and camelids.
At the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center, our clinical specialists handle diverse cases, primarily involving bovine and small ruminants, serving as a key referral service across Iowa and the Midwest.
The ISU Embryo Transfer and Food Animal Theriogenology Services offer state-of-the-art medical, surgical, and reproductive technologies to the region.
VDPAM faculty members also travel across Iowa to assist/support herd veterinarians with disease and production issues.
VDPAM Organizational Chart & Faculty Brochure
VDPAM Organizational Chart PDF