Assistant Professor
Dr. Will Sander is passionate about sustainability and wears many hats to get things done! As an educator, a clinician, and a policy champion, Will finds synergy across animal health sectors and breaks down silos. He’s a steadfast supporter of veterinary students and believes education is the foundation to reset expectations for what sustainability can be in our profession.
Dr. Sander is an Assistant Professor for Preventive Medicine and Public Health and Director of the DVM/MPH Joint Degree at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. He spent 2 years at the U.S. EPA Office of Water as an AAAS Science and Technology Fellow
and 3 years supporting DTRA’s Cooperative Biological Engagement Program. He was a staff veterinarian for City Wildlife and practiced at VCA small animal practices.
He really digs organized veterinary medicine as the change we can all make collectively is much greater than what we can do individually. As a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, he served on their Executive Board. He serves on the
board of directors for the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, American Association for Food Safety and Public Health, and the Veterinary Sustainability Alliance. Additionally, he chairs the Alliance of Veterinary Public Health Educators, co-chairs the Climate Change Working Group for American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, and is the alternate Delegate for Illinois to the AVMA House of Delegates.
Healthcare Without Harm – Practicing with Environmental Sustainability in Mind
A flourishing environment supports healthy and resilient communities. Opportunities exist for the veterinary profession to promote health beyond the individual patient through the implementation of environmentally sustainable initiatives. Such efforts are valued by clients and positive impacts can be seen on all scales; from within the practice to across the planet! This talk will highlight the many ways we can strengthen and weave sustainability throughout all aspects of veterinary culture. 1) Understand actions you can implement within your veterinary practice now and operational solutions you can plan for in the next 3-5 years. 2) Understand ways to get involved in the health community at a broader level (local, regional, national, etc.) in the future. 3) Develop a sustainability plan to utilize in your place of work moving forward. Those attending this session will be equipped and motivated to implement action items that promote health through the enhancement of environmentally efficient practices.