Department of Comparative Medicine
Comparative Medicine at Penn State College of Medicine
The mission of the Department of Comparative Medicine is to promote animal welfare and improve the quality and integrity of animal-based research by engaging in independent and collaborative research, providing state of the art training to researchers and veterinary specialists, and by offering a broad range of fully-integrated professional services.
The Department of Comparative Medicine is an academic department within the Penn State College of Medicine staffed by veterinarians specialized in laboratory animal medicine and veterinary pathology.
We provide comprehensive health care for six to 10 different species of laboratory animal patients that are used by more than 120 scientists with the College of Medicine and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Services include animal care and husbandry; clinical veterinary medicine; gross and microscopic veterinary pathology; surveillance of spontaneous animal diseases; post-operative and intensive care; training in animal handling and procedures; and technical assistance for scientists and students. We promote animal welfare and support biomedical research by providing training to researchers and maintaining expertise in laws and regulations that pertain to the use of animals in research.
Our department also offers a three-year training program in Laboratory Animal Medicine to graduate veterinarians. The program provides a broad foundation upon which an individual can build a career in research, teaching or in the professional direction of animal research programs.
I invite you to explore our newly updated website for more detailed information regarding the opportunities and services available within the Department of Comparative Medicine.
Ronald P. Wilson, VMD, MS, DACLAM
Comparative Medicine Department Chair
Penn State College of Medicine