U.S.-China Joint DVM Program hosts 11th annual homecoming event
The recent graduates in the US-China Joint DVM program received stethoscopes as a graduation present. From left: Lei Wang, program manager for the US-China Center for Animal Health, graduates Drs. Jennifer Ray, Kexin Fang, Xinyue Chai, Nashaly Miranda Sanchez, Yi Wen, Qian Liu and Hodes Family Dean Dr. Bonnie Rush.
A group of new graduates and current students in Kansas State University’s US-China Joint DVM Program recently convened to provide updates on their respective academic progress toward the completion of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
This year the program celebrated its ninth graduating class and featured four graduates, 12 current DVM students, six preveterinary students and a couple of special guests who each gave a report.
For each graduating class year, there are four to six Chinese students who enroll at the K-State campus to complete one year of pre-veterinary studies so they can be acclimated to studying in the United States. Afterwards, the students may apply to study for their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees at either K-State or one of three other U.S. veterinary colleges: University of Minnesota, Iowa State University, and University of Missouri.
The graduates in May 2025 are: Dr. Yi Wen from Kansas State University; Dr. Qian Liu, from the University of Minnesota; Drs. Kexin Fang from the University of Missouri; and Dr. Xinyue Chai from Iowa State University. Two other 2025 graduates were guests in attendance: Dr. Nashaly Miranda Sanchez, a Ross University, who completed her clinical rotations at K-State; and Dr. Jennifer Ray, with the University of Missouri. The Chinese graduates in the U.S.-China Joint DVM program will go back to China as associate professors at top Chinese universities.
Dr. Yi Wen shares an update about the fourth year of her DVM studies at K-State.
“The goal of the US-China Joint DVM Program is to train the trainers of Chinese veterinary medicine,” said Dr. Jishu Shi, professor and director of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health at the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine. “This is truly an example of training the future leaders when they go back to China — some of these participants are already leaders.”
The U.S.-China Center for Animal Health provides scholarships to cover the first year of pre-veterinary tuition and five years of student activities through funding from Zoetis Foundation, Yebio Bioengineering and Banfield Pet Hospital. The China Scholarship Council supports four years of DVM tuition and living stipends for five years.
Dr. Paula Parker delivers a leadership seminar talking the ways she was able to advance her career.
The rest of the guest list included administrators from each of the schools, plus some special guests. Representatives attended from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Hihn Ly, director of graduate studies; Iowa State University, Dr. Monica Howard, assistant dean for student success; University of Missouri, Dr. Tim Snider, associate dean for student and academic affairs; and Nanjing Agricultural University, Dr. Jihui Ping, dean; American Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Beth Sabin, director of global outreach and public policy; and from K-State, Dr. Bonnie Rush, Hodes Family Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Grant Chapman, associate provost, Dr. Robert Goodband, University Distinguished Professor/agricultural extension specialist, Dr. Jishu Shi, director of the US-China Center for Animal Health and Dr, Lei Wang, program manager for the US-Center for Animal Health.
"The accomplishments of these students are made more remarkable that they have achieved a doctorate degree while studying and practicing in their non-native language, and that this program develops both knowledge and skills within the medical animal health field," Chapman said. "Our many partners make this program a success today."
"Veterinary medicine is a global profession," Dr. Sabin said. "Animals are important. Worldwide animal diseases, in general, don't respect boundaries. And the world is becoming more and more international, so that's why it's so important have this program that focuses on providing the highest standards of veterinary education the students in the US-China Joint DVM Program. The AVMA hopes to strengthen its ongoing relationship with the Chinese veterinary profession so that we may continue to work together on issues of importance to all of us."
Dr. Paula Parker, chief partnerships and strategic initiatives officer with the AVMA, gave a leadership seminar on the second day of the homecoming event.
The DVM students, graduates and guest VIPs join for a group photo at each year's homecoming. 