A University of Minnesota College of Veterinary alumnus will helm upcoming strategic planning efforts for the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).

Dr. Philip Kieffer, ’12 DVM, will chair the AAVMC Council on Education’s (COE) Strategic Planning Project Steering Committee. The COE is the U.S. Department of Education-approved accrediting agency for colleges and schools of veterinary medicine in the United States, Canada, and international institutions seeking accreditation by the agency.

The COE Strategic Planning Project is expected to span 12 to 18 months and includes three key phases: an environmental scanning phase, a stakeholder phase, and refining priorities and initiatives phase, with a five-year strategic planning horizon. 

Kieffer, DACVS in surgery, currently serves as COE vice-chair. He works as a large animal surgeon and clinical instructor at Evidensia Specialist Horse Hospital in Helsingborg, Sweden. 

The Council and the Steering Committee will provide opportunities for stakeholders to engage in the strategic planning process and give feedback and insights to the Council regarding future education, the future of the veterinary profession, and what fit-for-purpose veterinary accreditation looks like in the future. 

Details regarding dates for in-person and virtual opportunities for stakeholders to engage in the strategic planning process in 2023 will be shared in the coming months.

 In the interim, the Council welcomes thoughts and insights in writing via email to coe@avma.org with Strategic Planning in the subject line.