College of Veterinary Medicine Interim Dean Announcement

David R. Nelson, M.D.
Senior Vice President for Health Affairs &
President, UF Health

Jack Payne, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources
UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

After a lengthy national search, we have decided to name Dana Zimmel, D.V.M., as the College of Veterinary Medicine’s new interim dean. Dr. Zimmel is well known to the college in her present role as associate dean for clinical services. She also is a proud alumna and graduate of the college’s Class of 1995 and a respected leader in the veterinary medical profession nationally. We are delighted that Dr. Zimmel has agreed to serve in this capacity as we continue to move our missions of teaching, research, clinical service and extension forward.

A clinical professor in the college’s department of large animal clinical sciences in addition to her administrative role, Dr. Zimmel joined the university in 2002, working first in extension, then large animal medicine and later progressing to leadership roles. She became chief of staff of the UF Veterinary Hospitals in 2010, when the position was created in alignment with the UF Health strategic plan, focused on patient-centric care, and held that position until her appointment to the associate dean role in 2015.

Under her leadership, hospital caseload has grown from 20,542 patients in fiscal year 2011 to 41,811 patients seen in fiscal year 2019, with another 6,578 animals treated at the Pet Emergency Treatment Services clinic in Ocala. In 2012, Dr. Zimmel spearheaded the effort to create UF PETS, which has evolved as a hugely successful collaboration with Marion County-area veterinarians.

We greatly appreciate Dr. Tom Vickroy’s service as acting dean during this transitional period; he has handled this role, in addition to his ongoing role as executive associate dean, with grace and has ensured the smooth continuity of operations and college life. We also extend our thanks to the hard-working members of the search committee, and specifically its co-chairs, Isabel Garcia, D.D.S., professor and dean of the College of Dentistry, and Nick Place, Ph.D., dean and director of UF/IFAS extension.

We look forward to what the future holds for UFCVM under Dr. Zimmel’s leadership. Please join us in congratulating her on her new role.