A Three-year Residency for Zoological & Aquatic Animal Medicine
The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine (UIUC-CVM), in partnership with Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the John G. Shedd Aquarium, offers a three-year residency in Zoological and Aquatic Animal Medicine. This residency is approved by the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) and is supervised by at least six ACZM Diplomates. The program is supported by at least ten full-time veterinarians across all institutions.
The residency combines experiences from all three facilities to train residents in zoological companion animal (exotic), zoo, aquatic, and wildlife medicine and prepares them for ACZM certification.
Program Structure
Year 1: Residents work with the Zoological Medicine Service at UIUC in Urbana-Champaign with experience with exotic pets, the Wildlife Medical Clinic, and Zoo Ambulatory Service (which provides care to three zoo institutions in central Illinois.)
Years 2-3: Residents rotate between Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the Shedd Aquarium, spending about 10–14 months at each. Rotations can range from 4–12 months. Residents also rotate through The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA.
Species Exposure: Residents gain experience with a wide range of animals, including large carnivores, non-human primates, marine mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and small mammals.
Training
Residents provide clinical care under guidance, including handling and immobilization, preventive medicine, and treatment of sick or injured animals.
Opportunities exist for rotations through specialty services at UIUC.
Residents complete a Non-Thesis or Thesis Master’s Degree including graduate courses such as Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Zoological Medicine Seminar, and Special Topics in Zoological Medicine.
Regular interaction with the UIUC Zoological Pathology Program is included.
Scholarly and Teaching Activities
Residents participate in journal clubs, rounds, and teaching veterinary students.
They are required to write and submit three manuscripts, including at least one original research project, to fulfill residency and Master’s degree requirements.
Funding & Benefits
Funding is provided for annual conference attendance and at least one ACZM preparatory course.
Employment begins in mid-July with annual reappointment for up to three years based on performance.
Residents are employed by UIUC-CVM with standard benefits, including vacation and sick leave.
Eligibility
Applicants must hold a DVM from an AVMA-accredited program and have completed at least a one-year internship or equivalent practice experience.
Licensure or eligibility for licensure in Illinois is required; full licensure is needed before the second year.
The program seeks candidates with strong scholarship, ethics, and a commitment to conservation and animal welfare. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Jennifer Langan, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dr. Karisa Tang, DVM, MS, DACZM, or Dr. Judilee Marrow, DVM, DACZM for more information.
Applications are submitted through the Veterinary Internship & Residency Matching Program (VIRMP.org) and should include a letter of intent, CV, transcripts, and reference letters.
For more details, visit the University of Illinois website.
Accreditation
The Illinois Zoological and Aquatic Animal Medicine Residency Program is accredited by the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM).
Read more about our graduates of our joint residency programs.
