SACS Residencies

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This residency is a three-year program approved by the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA)​. The objectives of this program are to train specialists in veterinary anesthesiology and pain management and to prepare them for board certification by the ACVAA. The program emphasizes clinical training, clinical and didactic teaching, and research experience. Residents are mentored by four ACVAA diplomates. The clinical training will be accomplished in the Veterinary Medical Center of the University of Tennessee. The Anesthesiology Service cares for a diverse caseload, including small and large companion animals, food animals, caged birds and exotic pets, and zoo species and wildlife. The resident must complete a research project and have at least one manuscript accepted for publication by the end of the residency program.

This program is offered every year through the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program.

Visit VIRMP for an Online-Application.

Contact Information

  • Dr. Christopher Smith, Anesthesia Residency Program coordinator
  • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
  • College of Veterinary Medicine
  • C247
  • Knoxville, TN 37996-4544
  • csmit358@utk.edu

This residency is a three year program, fully accredited by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (www.ACVD.org). The objectives of the program are to provide in-depth clinical training and basic science information as related to veterinary medicine, and to prepare the candidate for certification in the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD). The resident is mentored by two ACVD diplomates. The resident must complete a research project that results in a publication. 

The program is offered every two (2) years through:

  • Veterinary Internship & Residency Matching Programs
  • The American Association of Veterinary Clinicians
  • 125 N. Main St., Suite 500-403
  • Blacksburg, VA 24060
  • Phone: (614) 358-0417
  • FAX (540) 242-338

Visit VIRMP for an Online-Application.

Contact Information

  • The Residency Committee
  • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
  • College of Veterinary Medicine
  • C247 Veterinary Medical Center
  • Knoxville, TN 37996-4544

or contact Elizabeth Drake, DVM, DACVD;  elizabethdrake@tennessee.edu

The College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, announces a 3-year residency in Comparative Ophthalmology to begin July 15. The open residency positions are posted on the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology website each year in accordance with ORCA rules. Following review of all applications, a select number of applicants will be invited by the end of November for interview.  An offer will be extended in January.  A 12 month internship is prerequisite.

Interested individuals should submit:

  1. Curriculum vitae
  2. A personal statement describing background, qualifications, reasons for applying for the residency, and career goals.
  3. Three letters of recommendation. These letters should be e-mailed directly to the University of Tennessee by the letter writer or administrative assistant.  Letters should address knowledge of veterinary medicine, general clinical skills, ability to apply knowledge in a clinical situation, communication skills, and ability to work with others.
  4. Official transcripts (including grade point average) from all post secondary institutions attended, and class rank from veterinary school.

Applications and letters of reference must be sent electronically to: Ms. Missy Meridieth at mmeridieth@utk.edu. Transcripts, if hard copy, should be sent to Ms. Missy Meridieth, University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Clinical Sciences, 2407 River Dr., C247 Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Knoxville, TN 37996. Application questions can be sent to mmeridieth@utk.edu.

Program Description

The primary objective of this three-year program is to train the resident as a specialist in veterinary ophthalmology and to prepare the candidate for board certification by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.  Retention in the program is contingent upon continued satisfactory performance.

The ophthalmology service provides veterinary ophthalmic services for the Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (dogs, cats, birds, small exotics, laboratory animals, wildlife), Large Animal Clinical Sciences (horses, farm animals), and the Knoxville Zoo and Ripley’s Aquarium.  Annual ophthalmology caseload is approximately 2500 cases. Facilities for extensive diagnostic work-up and the medical/surgical treatment of all species are provided within the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

The resident will spend approximately 75% of their time in clinical service, with 25% of their time allowed for other activities, such as clinical or basic research, manuscript preparation, and study for board examination.  Didactic training is available in the form of resident/intern seminars, college conferences and seminars, journal club, and ocular histopathology rounds.  Time away from clinics will be provided to attend the Magrane Ophthalmology Basic Science Course.  Travel will be supported based on available funding.

Residents will be expected to participate in the ophthalmology course offered to second year veterinary students, to assist in laboratory exercises for both second and fourth year students, and to participate in house-officer seminars and faculty rounds.  Residents will assume responsibility for the majority of ophthalmology emergencies while on clinic duty; backup from faculty ophthalmologists will always be available. 

Residents will be expected to report results of a research project at the ACVO Annual Meeting and to have a manuscript accepted to a refereed journal by the completion of the residency program.  Residents will receive 10 days vacation time annually.

Statement of purpose and objectives

The purpose of the ophthalmology residency training program at the University of Tennessee is to train the resident as a specialist in veterinary ophthalmology and to prepare the candidate for board certification by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

The objectives of the program are summarized below:

  1. To train the resident to be proficient both medically and surgically in clinical ophthalmology for multiple species including companion animals, equine, food animal, laboratory and exotic animals.
  2. To give the resident exposure to and experience in the research and scientific publication process.
  3. To allow for the development of teaching skills both didactically and more informally in student and faculty rounds.
  4. To prepare the resident for board certification by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology.

 The UTCVM offers a four year structured program designed to prepare the resident to qualify for and pass the certifying examination in diagnostic radiology of the American College of Veterinary Radiology. An advanced degree program is not offered in conjunction with the residency.

Additional information is available here.

Contact Information

  • Residency Program Director: Dr. Connie Fazio (cfazio@utk.edu)
  • Radiology Section
  • College of Veterinary Medicine
  • University of Tennessee
  • 2407 River Drive
  • Knoxville, TN 37996
  • Tel: 865-974-5806
  • Fax: 865-974-5554

The Internal Medicine Residency training program at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine is a three-year program conforming to the guidelines of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (acvim.org). The objectives of this program are to train veterinarians to become specialists in small animal internal medicine and to prepare them for ACVIM board certification. These objectives are achieved through close working relationships with seven boarded Internal Medicine faculty, daily clinical case round discussions, board preparation guidance, and a robust teaching caseload. The program emphasizes clinical training, clinical and didactic teaching, and research experience. Opportunities are available for residents to complete Masters or PhD degree alongside residency training, if desired.


The program is designed to produce in-depth clinical training as well as to provide extensive clinical teaching experience. The first 2 years of the program will be spent rotating with the various medical specialists and in basic areas including oncology, neurology, dermatology, critical care, radiology (including ultrasound and echocardiography training), and ophthalmology. The resident has individual case responsibility under the guidance of senior faculty. The third year is designed to give the resident independent work experience. The third-year resident(s) will serve as chief resident and will have 6 weeks of primary clinical service supervision. During this time, the resident is responsible for the clinical service and instruction of clinical students and interns. Throughout the training program, senior clinicians are consistently available for consultation and level of oversight is tailored to each individual’s strength and expertise. Opportunities for off-site medicine rotations in the second and third years of the training program are available for those requesting training beyond the robust UTCVM environment.


Each resident will be assigned a faculty mentor at the start date of the residency. In addition, a research mentor and residency advisory committee will be identified within the first 3 months of the program. Active faculty research within the department’s medicine service includes gastroenterology, oncology, urology, nutrition, infectious diseases, hematology, and endocrinology focuses. Departmental support is available for the resident research projects not funded externally. A clinical or basic research problem will be investigated and a manuscript submitted for publication to a refereed journal to meet the University of Tennessee residency research requirements as well as the ACVIM certification requirements. Financial support is provided for each resident to attend regional and national meetings during their residency program. The resident is encouraged and expected to present research abstracts at state, regional, and specialty meetings in order to provide visibility for themselves and the University of Tennessee.

The program is offered yearly through the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians Residency Matching Program. The new VIRMP web-based system now replaces the Match Directory. For an online application form for VIRMP go to http://www.virmp.org

Contact Information

Dr. Shelly Olin or Sarah Schmid
UT College of Veterinary Medicine
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
Knoxville, TN 37996-4544