William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

Vet Med Teaching Hospital

Residency Programs

General Information About VMTH Residency Programs

The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, offers more than 30 residency training positions each year. Minimum qualifications include graduation from an approved School of Veterinary Medicine and a one-year internship or equivalent practice experience. The resident selection process will consider academic achievement, career objectives, letters of recommendation, interpersonal skills, clinical skills, interest in teaching, and relevant experience. Applications from graduates of foreign veterinary schools are also considered, provided that they meet the minimum requirements specified above and have command of the English language.

Residents are usually not permitted to work toward an advanced degree during their residency training program. However, Dairy Production and Food Animal Reproduction/Herd Health residency programs provide an opportunity for the resident to obtain a Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine degree. Following successful completion of the residency program, a certificate is awarded. It is anticipated that the residency training program will fulfill, in part, the eligibility requirements for specialty board certification in most disciplines. The majority of the resident's time is spent in their specialty at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital* where they will handle casework and teach veterinary students under the direct supervision of a faculty member in that specialty. Unless specialty Board requirements conflict, the remaining 20 - 25 percent of their time may be used for seminars, rounds, research, elective rotations in other specialties to provide broader personal advancement, and for vacations. As in most advanced training programs, much of the initiative is left to the individual, and the benefit derived from the program will be directly related to the effort the resident is willing to expend. It is anticipated that each resident will present several rounds or seminars each year, and author at least one manuscript for publication. Residents are required to present the findings of their research at the annual House Officer Seminar Day.

The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital is committed to building strong relationships with its constituents. A major part of the resident's duties, therefore, includes timely communications with referring veterinarians and clients. All residents in receiving services are strongly advised to obtain a California License within the first year of the residency in order to write outpatient prescriptions.

Residents must be able to arrive at the Hospital within 15 minutes of an emergency call, therefore, residents must plan to live within 15 miles of the Hospital. Companion Avian/Exotic Pet Medicine residents are expected to arrive within 10 minutes of an emergency call and therefore must live within 8 miles of the VMTH.

Residency programs are for two or three years, with the exception of Radiology, which is a four year program. The initial appointment to the residency program is for one year, with continuation in the program for successive years contingent upon satisfactory performance. The current salary for the first year resident is $38,424.00. Benefits include 24 days of vacation each year, and health, dental and vision insurance.

*Residents in Laboratory Animal/Primate Medicine are assigned to Center for Laboratory Animal Science (CLAS) California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC) Comparative Pathology Laboratory (CPL) and animal care and use committee. Residents in Dairy Production Medicine are based at the Veterinary Medical Teaching and Research Center in Tulare.

PLEASE NOTE: Foreign nationals must be eligible for a J1 visa with no bars or home country requirements.

Applicants to residency programs not utilizing the match must provide:

1. a completed UCD-VMTH application form , that includes a letter of intent
2. transcripts from veterinary school(s) (an official English translation must be included if not in English)
3. three letters of recommendation
4. a curriculum vitae.and letter of intent
Send materials electronically to the Resident Affairs Coordinator with the program you are applying to in the subject line.

Dairy Production Medicine is located in Tulare, California. Applications and supporting materials should be sent to: Staci Slaght at: sslaght@vmtrc.ucdavis.edu or Staci Slaght, VMTRC, 18830 Rd. 112, Tulare CA 93274

The application deadline for Comparative Theriogenology is open until filled, Radiology is October 26, 2012, Ophthalmology is November 10, 2012, Dairy Production Medicine is TBA, and Lab Animal/Primate Medicine is October 15, 2012.

Applicants interested in Laboratory Animal/Primate Medicine only should contact:
Dr. Terry Hewett at CLAS or Dr. Kari Christe at CNPRC
Laboratory Animal/Primate Medicine residency applicants will need to submit items 2-4 above and a Letter of Intent.

Lab Animal/Primate Medicine is a 29 month program and the start dates are July 1 or December 1 of each year.
Application deadline for Laboratory Animal/Primate Medicine is TBA.

Applicants for programs that utilize the match should follow the instructions on the virmp.org website.

Programs utilizing the match will not require the separate institution application for UC Davis. All materials will be sent directly to the virmp web site.

Recruitment for the residency programs usually begins in September and ends in December of each year, for positions with a start date of August 1 of the following year. A detailed description of each residency program is available on this web site. For application questions please contact:

House Officer Program Coordinator
University of California
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
One Garrod Drive
Davis, California 95616-8747

The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital does not offer programs which qualify individuals to meet California State or National Board exams, nor does the residency program meet the requirements for Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG).

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT NEW RESIDENTS BE AVAILABLE TO BEGIN THEIR RESIDENCY PROGRAM ON AUGUST 1 OF EACH YEAR with the following exceptions: Lab Animal/Primate Medicine is a 29 month program and the start dates are July 1 or December 1 of each year.

The University of California, Davis, and the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital are interested in candidates who are committed to the highest standards of scholarship and professional activities, and to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity.

Click Here for Residency Application Form only if the program you are applying to does not utilize the Veterinary Internship/Residency Program.