USDA Pathways Program: Saul T. Wilson, Jr., Internship

Interested in learning more about regulatory medicine but unsure about where to begin? Consider applying to the Saul T. Wilson, Jr. Internship position. More information about the internship can be found here, and information regarding how to apply can be found here and here (two separate internship descriptions). But don't wait! Applications are due on April 10!

Read below to hear a testimonial from Pallavi Oruganti, a student from Ohio State University, who recently completed this internship.

"For many students, exploring non-clinical career options in veterinary medicine can seem daunting and challenging. What options and opportunities do I have? What skills and expertise can I still contribute as a veterinarian without necessarily working hands-on with animals? What will my career trajectory look like, and I will I find like-minded individuals in these fields? I asked all these questions, and it led me to stumble upon the Saul T. Wilson Jr. Scholarship program through USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. This program is part of the USDA Pathways program providing internships for students to gain entry-level experience in federal service. The Saul T. Wilson Program is both a scholarship and internship program with Veterinary Services. You are employed as an intern for the agency during veterinary school and receive a partial scholarship for tuition expenses. After graduation, you are a guaranteed hire for the agency as a Veterinary Medical Officer (VMO) and are expected to work for the agency at least for the amount of years you received the scholarship. The duties both during the internship and when you graduate are varied, as Veterinary Services carries out several functions and are different based on location. However, you can expect to potentially work in areas such as animal health program management, import/export services, epidemiology and surveillance, and emergency preparedness. These programs all help to support the agency’s goals to provide a healthy and safe food supply, foster global trade, promote US agriculture and protect our herds from foreign animal diseases. Therefore, a background or strong interest in public health, infectious disease, policy, food animal medicine, and population medicine are encouraged and very useful for those seeking this opportunity. 

I am currently 2nd year veterinary student at the Ohio State University, and also received my MPH at OSU. Personally, I have enjoyed my time with USDA so far and have met several great mentors and colleagues. I work in the field operations office in Ohio, and specifically have been assisting with administrative support for the National Scrapie Eradication program. I look forward to further exploring the various role of veterinarians in the agency, how we can best leverage our medical knowledge to help achieve the goals of the agency, and also developing skills in management, data analysis, communications, and regulatory medicine. I recommend that those interested reach out to a current or former Saul T. Wilson student to fully understand the experience and expectations of the position, as it is important to weigh if the programs fits your lifestyle and future goals.  

If you are seeking an alternative career path focused on regulatory medicine, public health, and civil service, I would highly encourage you to explore the Saul T. Wilson Program, as well as the other veterinary student programs offered at USDA such as the Adel A. Malak Scholarship with USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Chester A. Gipson Scholarship with USDA Animal Care. I am grateful to start my career in veterinary public health working for the USDA, and I hope other veterinary students feel encouraged to explore careers in government and public health. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions (oruganti.4@osu.edu)."

USDA accepting applications for veterinary loan repayment program

A federal notice has gone out requesting applications for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), which will provide up to $25,000 of student loan debt relief per year for a minimum of three-years service in designated shortage areas across the United States.

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which is running the program, also released maps of state- and federally-designated shortage areas on its website, along with eligibility requirements, FAQs and application forms.

Applications will be accepted until June 30, with awards being offered by September 30.

Dr. Kevin Dajka, director of the Membership and Field Services Division at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), says the VMLRP is a great opportunity for recent veterinary school graduates to pay off a substantial portion of their student debt, while providing a much-needed boost to critically underserved areas of veterinary medicine.

"Graduates coming out of veterinary school are carrying about $130,000 in educational debt," said Dr. Dajka. "The VMLRP will help ease this financial burden for a number of veterinarians, while encouraging them to practice in areas of the country and profession that are in desperate need of veterinary help, such as rural America and food supply veterinary medicine."

AVMA leaders, who have spent the better part of the last decade championing this program and its funding, are thrilled that federal debt relief will soon be made available for veterinarians working, or willing to work, in underserved areas.

"This is the culmination of years of effort by America's veterinarians and by the USDA to get this program launched," said Dr. W. Ron DeHaven, CEO of the AVMA. "The AVMA is committed to continue working with NIFA to ensure the program is successfully implemented, and we will continue to advocate for annual funding for this program and to make the program tax exempt."

For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA media relations assistant, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell).