BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - (BUSINESS WIRE) - David J. DeYoung, DVM, dean of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, has announced his retirement from the University, effective September 30, 2011. Beginning May 9, he will move to a new position of dean emeritus, serving in an advisory role with the University.
“I am very proud to have been a small part of Ross University. Together we have created change and improved our veterinary program for the benefit of our students. I just hope that I have given as much to the school as the students, faculty and staff have taught me.”
“Throughout the past eight years, I have been fortunate to work with an amazing team of faculty and administration,” said DeYoung. “I am very proud to have been a small part of Ross University. Together we have created change and improved our veterinary program for the benefit of our students. I just hope that I have given as much to the school as the students, faculty and staff have taught me.”
DeYoung and his wife, Bonnie, moved to St. Kitts in 2003 when he accepted the position as dean of the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Since he began his tenure with RUSVM, DeYoung has focused on improving the veterinary program both academically and structurally. Under his leadership, the school added facilities to support program development including a student residency complex, multiple classrooms, a student union, a Pre-K-12 grade preparatory school and a large animal complex. In addition, the faculty and staff were increased to match the enhancements to the curriculum, such as the introduction of communication and clinical skills programs and the integration of clinical competency training throughout the curriculum. Research was strengthened to support the student educational experience and to address critical issues in public health, epidemiology, and marine/wildlife conservation.
“Dean DeYoung had the foresight to strategically build the veterinary program at Ross University. Under his direction, the school has seen remarkable change leading to enhanced student competence, increased national examination scores and more recently the achievement of AVMA accreditation,” said Thomas C. Shepherd, DHA, president of Ross University. “Dean DeYoung would be the first to tell you he didn’t do it alone, but his leadership and vision is the reason this program is so successful today.”
Recently the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine was granted full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE). DeYoung was responsible for focusing the school’s mission on research and academic programs to meet the AVMA COE standards.
DeYoung also improved the University’s contribution to St. Kitts and Nevis by increasing its community veterinary educational activities. RUSVM has supported programs such as PAWS (People for the Animal Welfare on St. Kitts) and the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network. With the increased research, the University has also partnered with the St. Kitts government on a number of projects in public health, including mosquito and Dengue fever surveillance.
Ross University has engaged international executive search firm SpencerStuart to lead the selection process and work with senior management, the Board of Trustees, and representatives from RUSVM faculty and administrators. The official search announcement and committee team will be announced later this week. President Shepherd has appointed Gil Burns, DVM, the current dean for Faculty and Academic Programs, to serve as interim dean following DeYoung’s departure. DeYoung will continue in an advisory role with the University as dean emeritus.
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