Calgary: Beef Health and Wellness Chair Announced
US - The first research chair in the University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) was announced on 26 November. The Simpson Ranch Chair in Beef Health and Wellness is named for John Simpson, a local rancher, business owner and supporter of UCVM.
12 December 2008
2 minute read
"John is passionate about the beef industry, but also about the importance of focusing on health and wellness in education and the delivery of veterinary services," says Alastair Cribb, dean. "He has been a strong supporter and advocate for this faculty."
Simpson chaired UCVM's Stakeholder Advisory Committee, leading the faculty through its creation and early development. He was instrumental in key areas, including government relations, and in providing advice in curriculum development and faculty recruitment.
Simpson is a partner in UCVM's Distributed Veterinary Learning Community (DVLC). Simpson Ranching Ltd., a family-owned, agricultural corporation, was first established in the Alberta foothills in 1956. Since that time, the ranch has expanded its original holdings and its farming operation in order to run up to 1000 Hereford cows.
"We need to graduate veterinarians who are able to respond to current and emerging issues relevant to Alberta cattle producers, and to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the industry," says Simpson. "Whoever fills this position will be a leader in the community; encouraging interaction, sharing knowledge and building collaborative relationships with cattle producers, the beef industry and veterinarians in rural areas."
UCVM is recruiting for a professor to hold the Simpson Ranch Chair in Beef Health and Wellness. The successful candidate will be a leader in developing UCVM's research program related to beef health and wellness; seeking to build strength in important areas, including surveillance and control of production limiting and zoonotic diseases, reproduction, and beef quality and safety.
"This faculty was established to respond to the animal health needs of Alberta. Clearly, an area of critical importance to Alberta and consequently to UCVM, is the beef industry," says Cribb.
UCVM has committed $1 million over the next five years to launch and develop the chair. Additional funding is being sought to create an endowment that will lead to long-term and continual support. Simpson ranching generously contributed the first $1 million to launch the endowment.
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