Residency in Aquatic Animal Medicine

Aquatic Animal Medicine Residency

The Aquatic Animal Medicine Residency’s objective is to train the next generation of aquatic veterinary specialists to contribute to the health of aquatic species through the advancement of high quality medical care, wildlife conservation, and scientific clinical research.

The Aquatic Animal Medicine Residency through the University of Florida is a three year veterinary specialty training program accredited by the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM), supporting one resident per three year cycle. The program is designed to provide specialty training in zoological, wildlife, and exotic animal medicine with an emphasis on aquatic species. The residency provides opportunity for the advancement of clinical skills and medical knowledge in aquatic and exotic species, training in scientific research and scholarly wringing, and preparation for board certification by American College of Zoological Medicine.

The program offers experience with a diverse amount aquatic and exotic species under human care in addition to free-ranging wildlife. The resident rotates among the following institutions to gain clinical experience with experts in the fields of aquatic and zoological medicine.

• The resident spends the first year on rotations at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine services including Zoological Medicine, Radiology, Anesthesia, Aquatic Animal Pathology, in addition to rotations at the Florida Marine Mammal Pathology Laboratory, UF Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience Sea Turtle Hospital, and the UF Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory.
• The second full year of the program is spent at SeaWorld Orlando.
• The final year of the program is spent at Busch Gardens Tampa in addition to rotations at aquatic institutions determined by the resident and mentor committee.
• Throughout the program the resident is provided opportunity for field conservation work on free-ranging populations including dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles among others.

ACZM Residency Mentors:

Ruth Francis-Floyd, DVM, MS, Dipl ACZM (University of Florida, Program Coordinator)

Ramiro Isaza, DVM, MS, MPH, Dipl ECZM, Dipl ACZM (University of Florida)

Claire Erlacher-Reid, DVM, Dipl ACZM (SeaWorld Orlando)

Dominique Keller, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACZM (Busch Gardens)

Peter Black, DVM, Dipl ACZM (Busch Gardens)

Former Aquatic Animal Residents:

Laura Croft, DVM (2004-2007)

Jenny Meegan, DVM, Dipl. ACZM (2007-2010)

Claire Erlacher-Reid, DVM, Dipl ACZM (2010-2013)

Stephen Castle, DVM, MPH, Dipl ACVPM (2011-2014)

Estelle Rousselet, DVM, PhD (2014-2017)

Molly Martony, DVM (2017-2020)

Application Process:

Our highly competitive residency program is currently able to accommodate only one resident per three year cycle and the next anticipated opening will be in 2019. Applications are submitted through the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP).