Mission

Vision

• Develop and deliver state-of-the-art diagnostic testing;
• Maintain requirements for accreditation;
• Maintain requirements for quality assurance;
• Meet or exceed commitments to other agencies such as State Department of Health and Homeland security; and
• Serve as the sentinel for newly emerging, zoonotic, and foreign animal diseases.

Core Values

Excellence - We seek excellence in all our endeavors, and we are committed to continuous improvement.

Intellectual Freedom – We believe in ethical and scholarly questioning in an environment that respects the rights of all to freely pursue knowledge.

Integrity – We are committed to the principles of truth and honesty, and we will be equitable, ethical, and professional.

Service – We believe that serving others is a noble and worthy endeavor.

Diversity – We respect others and value diversity of opinion, freedom of expression, and other ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Stewardship of Resources – We are dedicated to the efficient and effective use of resources. We accept the responsibility of the public’s trust and are accountable for our actions.

Client Centered – We are dedicated to providing confidential, efficient and accurate diagnostic information.

Goals, Critical Success Factors, Objectives, and Strategies

Goal One. Assure optimal environment for state-of-the-art diagnostics and to meet health and safety requirements for personnel.

Critical Success Factors:

• Expansion and maintenance of current facility
• Enhanced molecular diagnostics
• Implement reliable, cost effective, and safe methods for carcass and tissue disposal
• Enhanced operational revenues
• Improved safety and efficiency of operations

Objectives:

• Renovate, expand and maintain current facility to provide modern laboratory and office space.
• Include biological safety level 3 components in laboratories.
• Add a biological safety level 3 necropsy laboratory.
• Secure funding for state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment.
• Develop collaborations with the State Department of Agriculture, the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association, the Oklahoma State Department of Public Health, and Oklahoma State University for funding strategies.

• Acquire, implement and maintain state-of-the-art diagnostic management software.
• Network laboratory with all other state and federal veterinary diagnostic laboratories.
• Network laboratory with Oklahoma Department of Public Health.
• Network laboratory with Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and other service laboratories at College of Veterinary Medicine.

• Install an alkaline tissue digester.
• Refurbish and maintain incineration capacity.
• Renovate equipment for safe movement of large animal carcasses.
• Develop agreement with City of Stillwater for disposal of digested tissue effluent.
• Expand refrigerated storage capacity.
• Seek funding from state and federal agencies.

• Add biological safety level 2 and 3 equipment in laboratories that handle select agents and toxic chemicals.
• Build a biological safety level 3 necropsy laboratory for examination of animals with suspected highly contagious or zoonotic diseases.
• Install new air handling equipment for necropsy area.
• Upgrade and remodel existing air handler.
• Continually monitor air quality.

• Explore further interdepartmental faculty appointments with Department of Pathobiology.
• Add 2 pathologists with expertise in swine and avian pathology.
• Implement residency training programs in diagnostic medicine in cooperation with other academic departments.
• Add 1 board certified toxicologist and re-implement the toxicology residency.
• Add a molecular biologist.

Goal Two: Reduce the incidence and threat of diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans, the zoonotic diseases.

Critical Success Factors:

• Rapid identification of new zoonotic diseases
• Rapid development and implementation of quick diagnostic tests for new diseases.
• Real time exchange of disease information between Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Oklahoma State Health Department

Objectives:

• Enhance collaborations with Oklahoma State Department of Health.
• Network diagnostic data bases within state and nationally.
• Implement state-of-the-art diagnostic management software.
• Continuously develop and implement “real time” molecular diagnostic tests for diseases pertinent to Oklahoma.
• Develop collaborative research projects on zoonotic diseases.

Goal Three: Reduce Oklahoma’s economic losses due to animal diseases, parasites and toxins.

Critical Success Factors:

• Analyze annual report of disease diagnosis listing number of deaths with number at risk
• Attend and address a minimum of three state veterinary meetings annually
• Have a first responder team in place by December, 2004
• Have a multidiscipline herd health team organized by January, 2005

Objectives:

• Provide vigilant, accessible, and accurate diagnostic services.
• Educate veterinarians and animal owners about detection, prevention and control of animal and zoonotic diseases.
• Develop state and national partnerships for the early detection and containment of infectious diseases including foreign animal diseases.
• Establish a multidiscipline team with the Departments of Clinical Sciences and Pathobiology, composed of clinicians, investigative microbiologists/pathologists, epidemiologists and diagnosticians to provide a comprehensive animal health production consultation program for the outreach, investigative and teaching programs.
• With colleagues in other departments, establish a college based first responder team of disease experts to investigate catastrophic disease losses.
• Identify a lead pathologist for food animal diseases.

Goal Four: Improve the quality of life for Oklahoma citizens, by providing veterinary diagnostic services for companion and exotic animal species.

Critical Success Factors:

• Submit a questionnaire to companion animal veterinarians annually assessing scope and quality of diagnostic services
• Attend and address a minimum of three state veterinary meetings for companion animals

Objectives:

• Maintain and supplement faculty and support staff to insure accessible, accurate and timely diagnostic services.
• Provide continuing education course to practitioners regarding detection, prevention, control and management of disease states in companion and exotic species.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local, regional and state veterinary practitioner coalitions, as well as companion and exotic animal support or producer groups.
• Provide continuing education to faculty in diagnostic medicine related to companion and exotic animals.
• Identify a lead pathologist for companion animal diseases.
• Maintain open communication with State Department of Wildlife.

Goal Five: Provide support for teaching and research programs of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Critical Success Factors:

• Have all faculty within laboratory participate in didactic lectures in veterinary medical curriculum
• Tract number of lectures given by faculty
• Submit tissues to grand rounds weekly
• Help develop and implement a diagnostic medicine elective course by January, 2005

Objectives:

• Increase student case exposure in diagnostic laboratory medicine.
• Assist in teaching systemic pathology and microbiology courses.
• Participate in Pathology Grand Rounds.
• Continue as Instructor of Record for veterinary toxicology course.
• Offer a diagnostic elective for senior veterinary students.

• Enhance collaborations for conducting basic and clinical research.
• Develop residency programs in diagnostic medicine.