The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has hired its first permanent Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Stanley Robertson (left) has joined UMES after a nationwide search. He began his duties on July 1, and has already met with the accreditation team for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) during its inaugural visit to UMES the week of July 8, 2024.
Robertson brings a broad spectrum of experience in veterinary medicine to UMES both in academia and in private practice. Importantly, he has worked at other universities that, like UMES’s proposed School of Veterinary Medicine, employ an accelerated three-year program.
Most recently, he served as a professor and associate dean of clinical relations at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine in Oro Valley, Arizona.
“Dr. Robertson’s resume is exceeded only by the impact he had in his interviews with our search committee,” said Dr. Rondall Allen, UMES provost. “He brings an impressive array of skills to this opportunity and has shown himself to be a talented practitioner, an accomplished academic, and a proven leader.
“From curriculum development to clinical research to student recruitment, Dr. Robertson has answered every challenge given to him. We are delighted that he’s agreed to join our efforts to launch the first in-state veterinary medicine program in Maryland and only the second at an HBCU in the United States.”
In addition to the University of Arizona, Robertson was a professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee; and held multiple positions at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi.
In private practice, Robertson served as medical director and chief of staff for Banfield Pet Hospital, a group of more than 1,000 veterinary hospitals around the world owned by Mars Petcare. He also owned and/or operated veterinary clinics for 18 years in Mississippi and Pennsylvania.
“Dr. Robertson has everything we were looking for in a permanent dean,” said Dr. Heidi M. Anderson, UMES president.
“He understands the worlds of academia and private practice. He has cultivated a more diverse population in veterinary schools. He’s served as a respected instructor and valued mentor to students across this country. And he understands the business side of the pet care industry and the need for increasing veterinary services in places like the Eastern Shore.
“Most importantly,” said President Anderson, “I not only have faith that he will lead us successfully though the accreditation process but I have enough faith in him to entrust the health of my two cats with Dr. Robertson.”
He has been honored multiple times throughout his career, including:
- Banfield Medical Director of the Year – South Region.
- Dean’s Pegasus Award for Service, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University.
- Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society.
- Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals.
- Leon Turner Award, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University.
Robertson has authored or co-authored 36 publications. He has served as a private consultant over the years to four different organizations. He has served on multiple service committees at University of Arizona, Lincoln University and Mississippi State University, the American Veterinary Medical Association and a number of other organizations, and is a member of 21 professional or scholarly organizations devoted to veterinary care.
“It is truly an honor for me to join this nascent program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a university whose HBCU and Land Grant status are hallmarks to community service,” said Dr. Robertson.
“I’m excited about the potential for this School and the impact that it can have on the young people who will attend it and the people of the Eastern Shore who have a wide range of veterinary needs. My goal is to positively impact the lives of two-legged people and four-legged animals throughout Maryland, the Delmarva Peninsula, and the country as a whole,” he said.
“What happens at UMES will not stay at UMES. It will create ripples that reach far and wide.”
Robertson takes over from Dr. Kimberly Braxton, who has served as the founding dean since August 2023.
“Dr. Braxton assumed a major assignment on top of an already full agenda,” said Provost Allen, “and provided substantive and energetic leadership on an interim basis. We are grateful for the work she did to create a solid foundation for this School and know how excited she is to hopefully see it come to fruition in 2026.”
“We have found an outstanding person to lead our School of Veterinary Medicine,” said President Anderson. “We owe a great deal to the search committee and our partners at Academic Search to helping us find a leader who fits our needs so well.”
Earl Holland, Director of Public Relations, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, at edholland1@umes.edu; Gail Stephens, Agricultural Communications and Media Associate, at 410-621-3850 or gcstephens@umes.edu
For inquiries, email vetschool@umes.edu
