Dean Hoffsis announces departure plans

Hoffsis portrait 8-2-06

Dr. Glen Hoffsis, dean of the UF CVM.

Dr. Glen Hoffsis  has announced plans to step down as dean of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

Hoffsis, who was hired in August 2006 after a national search, told college faculty and staff in early June that he plans to remain on board as dean for another year, and will leave UF on July 1, 2013.

“We are grateful to Dr. Hoffsis for his vision, energy and accomplishments,” said Dr. David S. Guzick, senior vice president for health affairs and president of the UF&Shands Health System. “He has advanced our veterinary school along several lines that will be enduring and have a lasting impact.”

Hoffsis created a model of patient care in the new Small Animal Hospital with the patient and client in the center of a continuum of care and services, consistent with the central vision of the academic health center, Guzick said. Hoffsis also advanced scientific inquiry with key recruitments of accomplished scientists, expanded class size in a manner that maintained the highest quality of education while generating resources to support the academic mission and, most recently, helped create an emergency room in Ocala as a joint venture with community-based veterinarians.

“On a personal level, Dr. Hoffsis taught me much about the similarities between human and animal medicine and I will miss him as a good-humored and very thoughtful friend,” Guzick said.

UF will embark on a national search to find a new dean. Hoffsis came to UF after a successful career as dean at The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, a position he held for 11 years. He later served for two years as the associate director of veterinary services for Iams, a Procter & Gamble company.

“In the year ahead, I will remain fully engaged and continue to move our programs forward, while working toward an orderly transition to new leadership,” Hoffsis said.

Under Hoffsis’ leadership, the college funded and constructed a new $58 million, 100,000-square-foot Small Animal Hospital in 2010, as well as other facilities, including a new state-of-the-art auditorium and educational center.

Fundraising for the college has also benefited during Hoffsis’ tenure.

“We have raised more than $50 million in the current UF development campaign and are one of an elite group of units to exceed our goals,” he said. “These funds are essential to us as state resources continue to decline. With these accomplishments and so much more left to do, it is difficult for me to leave. However, this is also a good time for a new leader to benefit from the momentum we have established and to engage in new challenges.”

He added that it has been “an honor and a privilege” to have served the UF veterinary college as dean.

“I have enjoyed tremendous support from many leaders of the college, the university, the Florida Veterinary Medical Association and our various stakeholders,” Hoffsis said. “For that, I am most grateful.”

Hoffsis will engage in veterinary consulting and will continue to serve on the board of directors of the Citizens Bank of Ashville, Ohio; the Live Oak Bank of Wilmington, N.C.; and Banfield Pet Hospitals of Portland, Ore.

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