Officials from the University of California's Davis and San Diego campuses today signed a memorandum of understanding that lays the groundwork for establishing a new UC Veterinary Medical Center in San Diego. During the next few months, leaders from both campuses will be refining plans for programs, participating facilities, faculty collaborations, student rotations, resident training and administrative infrastructure. Full implementation of the center, which will be composed of coordinated programs in a number of sites, is set for fall 1999. The center, to be administered by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, will be headquartered at UC San Diego and will offer educational and research opportunities to university students and faculty from both campuses. The center also is expected to foster collaborations with nearby private veterinarians and other professionals devoted to wild, zoo and marine animals. Funding to help create a San Diego center was provided by the California legislature in recent budget augmentations for the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine to expand its animal health programs to better meet public needs across the state. "We are delighted to be establishing a center that will more completely serve the needs of Southern California," said Dr. Bennie Osburn, dean of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "UC San Diego with its preeminent biomedical research programs, and the many other prominent San Diego institutions dedicated to the care and understanding of animals, are unique resources. The educational and professional opportunities for veterinary and graduate students, residents and faculty members will benefit animal and human health." "By integrating the perspective of animal-health specialists into programs dedicated to improved understanding, prevention and treatment of human disease, each of our programs will be greatly enriched," said Dr. John Alksne, vice chancellor for health sciences and dean of the UC San Diego School of Medicine. "This will be especially helpful in advancing important studies of the genetic basis of disease, which will be enhanced by the contributions of professionals who are especially knowledgeable about animals." Initial programs offered through the new center will focus on diagnostic medicine and comparative medicine, the area of research that deals with diseases common to both humans and animals. Later programs will emphasize laboratory-animal medicine, zoological medicine and clinical services offered in conjunction with local veterinary medical specialty practices in areas such as behavior, nutrition and hemodialysis. "The UC Veterinary Medical Center in San Diego will maximize ongoing partnerships in Southern California," said Osburn. "Together, we will create an opportunity for the university to address California's animal, human and environmental health needs." Signing the memorandum of understanding today along with Osburn and Alksne were Robert C. Dynes, chancellor of UC San Diego; Larry N. Vanderhoef, chancellor of UC Davis; and Richard Attiyeh, vice chancellor for research and dean of graduate studies at UC San Diego.