Stoto Appointed to National Academies Committee

Michael Stoto, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Health Systems Administration at NHS, has been appointed to a committee of the National Research Council of the National Academies.

Stoto, who specializes in biostatistics, emergency preparedness, and population health, will serve on the council's "Committee for Assessing the Current and Future Needs of Veterinary Medicine."

The 18-month study, according to the council's Web site, will explore historical changes in the size and characteristics of the veterinary workforce; assess the demographics and adequacy of the current supply of veterinarians in different occupational categories and sectors of the economy; and identify incentives, disincentives, and other factors that are likely to affect the numbers of veterinarians seeking jobs in different sectors in the future.

The study will also examine trends affecting the kinds of jobs available to veterinarians and assess future demand for veterinary expertise in existing and new employment sectors. The study will examine the current and future capacity of universities and colleges to provide sufficient numbers of adequately trained veterinarians and identify training needs relative to the demand for specific expertise.

A report will present the findings of the study, and identify options for meeting requirements for a veterinary workforce.