State/Territory
Pennsylvania
Shortage Location - Must Serve
Synder, Union, Northumberland, Montour, Columbia counties
Shortage Location - May Serve
Centre, Clinton, Lycoming counties
Location Center
Danville, PA 17821
VSGP Status
Open
VMLRP Status
(Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program)
Open
Priority of shortage
High
Fiscal year
Percent FTE
(Full Time Equivalent, based on a 40hr work week.)
30
Type of Shortage
(Veterinary Practice Area / Discipline / Specialty)
Type II Shortage: Private Practice – Rural Area Food Animal Medicine
Must serve
Dairy Cattle
Small Ruminant
Other Must Serve
May serve
Beef Cattle
Swine
Poultry
Other May Serve
Cervid, equine
Employer
Position Title
Other disciplinary area
Carry Over
Nominator Name
Erin Luley
Nominator Title
Assistant Bureau Director
Nominator Org
PA Dept. of Ag, Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services
Nominator Email
Nominator Phone
717-525-3660
Importance/Objectives of Veterinarian
This area covers several rural counties that have a high density of often small to medium sized dairy, beef, and small ruminant operations. The local population is includes many of plain sect communities. These farming operations provide food security and economic viability to the region. Due to topography (rivers, mountain ranges), this area is relatively isolated from adjacent areas of the state, making access for veterinarians and other external resources challenging. Outside of Lancaster County, PA, this region encompasses some of the most dense distribution of poultry and swine farms in the state. There are 7 livestock markets within this region. Veterinarians are needed who are committed to their clients, food animal production agriculture, and protecting the health and sustainability of rural Pennsylvania.
Veterinarian Medical Activities & Services
Farms in this region need a veterinarian who can provide preventive herd health medicine, individual animal care, and emergency care to a variety of species and production types, including dairy cattle, beef cattle, captive cervids, small ruminants, backyard swine and poultry, camelids, and rabbits. It is also critical to ensure that there is an accredited veterinarian who can provide necessary assurances and support for animal exhibition at many local fairs and movement through livestock markets. Additionally, there are many working equids in the agricultural sector in this area due to the plain sect community. These animals provide transportation and pull farm equipment, so some component of basic equine care would be an asset to the community.
Historical Efforts of Recruiting/Retaining a Veterinarian
A successful, solo large animal practitioner recently vacated her practice to move into an academic position. Her efforts to sell her practice were unsuccessful despite advertising in multiple platforms. In recent years, the number of veterinarians servicing livestock in this region have declined, and several practices that had previously worked with both companion animals and livestock have switched to be companion animal exclusive.
Consequences of Not Securing/Retaining a Veterinarian
Many farms in this region struggle to find veterinary care, especially since the departure of one large animal veterinarian. This veterinarian serviced several dairy farms of varying sizes, beef farms, captive cervid herds, and many small ruminant clients. Other veterinarians in the area have been unable to absorb the extra work, leaving many operations without veterinary care. A large sheep farm in Clinton County has been perennially unable to find a veterinarian in the region willing to provide service to their farm, and instead relying on a veterinarian from over 3 hours away to provide preventive visits infrequently and forgoing veterinary care for any non-routine needs. This region has a high density of commercial swine and poultry operations. Though these facilities may not be serviced by a private veterinarian, ensuring the health of smaller backyard swine and poultry premises in the vicinity protects the health of these larger commercial facilities. Pennsylvania's sheep and goat industries tend to be smaller operations, but this is a rapidly growing sector. Providing care to these animals helps support small farming operations and provides resiliency in these rural communities.
Community Aspects
The communities in this area have a rich history and strong ties to agriculture. Additionally, there are several institutions in the region that drive local economies and create jobs, including potential opportunities for a spouse or partner of a prospective applicant. The Geisinger Medical Center, a Level I trauma center based in Danville, provides jobs for over 10,000 people in a town of 4,600. Several private and public universities provide jobs as well as cultural and athletic events in these communities. The region has good school districts and reasonable cost of living. Outdoor activities including hiking, biking, hunting, and fishing abound. At the core of many of these communities, agriculture remains a strong driver for many local economies in this region, and the support of a veterinarian would be valued in these communities.