The 55-hospital Community Veterinary Partners chain hopes to build an employee pipeline by establishing closer ties to veterinary schools.
The Philadelphia-based consolidator reported that Laura Strong, DVM, will manage the CVP University Relations Initiative. The goals include:
- Developing partnerships with university veterinary programs.
- Engaging student ambassadors to administer student outreach programs.
- Offering externship and mentorship opportunities within CVP’s hospital network.
- Identifying new opportunities for tuition reimbursement.
“We want to help grow veterinary learners into veterinary leaders,” Dr. Strong said. “One of the ways for us to make an impact is to work with our university partners to offer students educational, professional leadership and career development opportunities while they are still in school.”
Company CEO Kevin Ruffe, MBA, called the initiative’s objectives “a win-win for everyone.”
“Through the university relations program, we can begin to bring down the barriers related to the success of new graduates, including the lack of clinical experience, client communication skills and loan repayment,” he said.
Founded in 2009, Community Veterinary Partners owns hospitals in 10 states. Its latest acquisition, announced Nov. 20, is Seneca Hill Animal Hospital, Resort and Spa in Great Falls, Virginia.
The 27,000-square-foot Seneca Hill is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.