Dr. Phillip D. Nelson

“We must first seek to understand each other.”  

While it was his childhood dream to become a veterinarian, ultimately Dr. Phillip Nelson drew from his own experiences in a segregated school and as a minority college student in veterinary science that inspired his calling to higher education, molding future generations of what he calls a “small but critically important” profession. 

Dr. Nelson’s distinguished career in veterinary academia spanning 40 years landed him at the forefront of state and nationwide efforts to shine a light on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. His work has been particularly focused on the disproportionate ratio of Black practitioners.

Dr. Nelson points to his gratitude for Tuskegee University, a historically black university where he earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 1979, for equipping him with an education at a time when there were fewer opportunities for Black students. He has a unique understanding of the dual barriers that he and others had to face in the pursuit of an advanced degree at majority - white universities: particularly, the psychological impact of racial discrimination and bigotry.

Early on, Dr. Nelson recognized his professional interests, training, and skills were more suitable for the classroom, academic clinical practice, and research labs. An accomplished veterinary clinician-scientist and professor, he crafted and led courses on clinical diagnostics, immunology, ethics and clinical medicine, while also investigating feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus infections to enhance our understanding of retroviral infections in general and human retroviral infections (HIV) in particular. This work led to his interest in lymphocytic immunity in dogs and cats.

He served as associate dean of academic affairs (1994-2001) and public affairs (2001-2005) at Mississippi State University (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine. During this period, Dr. Nelson was promoted to the rank of Professor with tenure in 2001. In 2005, he joined the College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) as executive associate dean for preclinical programs and became the veterinary school’s second dean two years later.

WesternU’s veterinary college opened in 2003. It operated under provisional accreditation from its inception to 2008, when the AVMA Council on Education (COE) voted to move it to limited accreditation and became accredited in 2010. It was the first veterinary college in the United States to provide clinical training utilizing a distributive teaching model, one designed to provide an immersive experience in work environments for students while developing cognitive and technical skills.

Dr. Nelson played an integral role in the development of WesternU’s problem-based curriculum and in the management of WesternU’s faculty, support personnel, and instructional resources. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the building of a veterinary hospital on WesternU’s campus; developing its Veterinary Ambulatory Community Service Program, which introduced veterinary services into underserved communities; and fostering WesternU’s relationship with the City of Los Angeles’ Animal Services Department, including a spay-neuter program at the East Valley facility.

Dr. Nelson served as president of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) in 2017-18.  He has received several accolades from his peers, including Distinguished Alumnus Award(s) from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (2008) where he earned his DVM degree, and the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine (2020,) where he earned his Ph.D. in immunology, as well as awards for Meritorious/Outstanding Service from the CVMA and the AVMA in 2023, an award honoring a veterinarian who has brought honor and distinction to the profession through personal, professional, or community service activities conducted outside the scope of organized veterinary medicine or research. 

Dr. Nelson served as dean of Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) College of Veterinary Medicine for 15 years, until he stepped down in 2022. He currently has found new ways to invest his passion for education and thought leadership. Today he is a consultant for emerging veterinary college programs, a podcast host and member of the Board of Directors at PetSmart Charities.  

Mission Moments

with Dr. Phillip D. Nelson

Why do you think pets are important in the lives of people?
It is a shame that this question even has to be asked.  There is irrefutable research data that indicates the importance of pets in enhancing (and maintaining) the physical and mental health of human beings. The inclusion of pets in the family unit also serves to promote the ability of all family members to develop empathy, and compassion — traits that are essential elements of an advanced society.

How has your pet (or a previous pet) changed your life?
My childhood pet (Chic — a German Shepherd mix female) saved me from myself. Whenever I was angry with anyone, but particularly my parents, I swore to high heaven, and to Chic.  It was important for a temperamental child to be able to share feelings of rage and unfair treatment. Her patient listening was consoling and seemed to be empathetic.  She was also trustworthy; she never told a soul! 😉

What makes you most excited about working with PetSmart Charities?
PetSmart Charities provided critical support to the College of Veterinary Medicine of Western University of Health Sciences, by funding a mobile clinic for our shelter medicine rotation.  Though I am indeed grateful for their generosity, this experience and others throughout my career have impressed me with the sincerity of the organization's commitment to the welfare of pets and their owners. Couple that with the fact that I have worked with the present director in other venues, this seemed like a golden opportunity to leverage our skills for a common interest.