Planning pays off. Three key priorities of the College-programs designed to increase our contributions to the veterinary profession and society-have recently moved from vision to reality after years of preparation and hard work.

First is the Illinois Integrated Veterinary Professional Curriculum. Members of the Class of 2013 will soon complete the initial 8-week course of clinical rotations and will begin the first classroom-based course. They are not the only ones benefitting from our curricular revision. Closer collaborations between clinical and basic sciences faculty have influenced upper-level courses as well, and the new Clinical Skills Learning Center will be open to all students.

In September the Chicago Center for Veterinary Medicine, another strategic initiative, celebrated its official grand opening. Oncology referral services begin there this month, as do educational programming for both the veterinary community and pet owners. Through the Chicago Center and its primary care facility, Furnetic, we can expose veterinary students to the business side of practice and reach previously untapped populations of potential students and potential donors.

Last month also we received more than $200,000 from the USDA in support of the new Illinois Center for One Medicine, One Health. This program will consolidate and extend the College's education, research, and public outreach efforts in areas where human, animal and ecosystem health converge. We are already seeking proposals from faculty for projects related to this new center.

We achieve success in these initiatives only through the leadership of our faculty and the hard work and dedication they and our entire College community contribute. I look forward to reporting further progress as our plans evolve.--Herb