After 30 years as the state veterinarian, Bret Marsh is now stepping into the role of Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine dean. This is a big step personally from his humble beginnings at the university.

“My dad brought me to Purdue in the family pickup truck, and I had a footlocker with everything I owned in it,” Marsh says. “He brought me to Shreve Hall here on campus, and I was launched on my way. I really had no idea what I was doing, but I had great support in the College of Agriculture.”

That small start took Marsh in a variety of directions, even so far as a summer internship in Nebraska on a beef cattle ranch. What followed was a career in public service, leading to the position of state veterinarian with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health and now dean of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Unique perspective

Marsh’s time with BOAH gave him a comprehensive view of the state, allowing him to notice gaps in animal health services that may otherwise go unnoticed.

“I learned a lot about our state, about producers, practicing veterinarians and extension educators,” Marsh says. “I worked a lot with all of those people for many years.”

Specifically, he has noticed gaps that developed over time in veterinary care in some regions of the state. Marsh now hopes to address those coverage deserts by putting a greater focus on them. He finds that simply having more discussions surrounding those gaps could shift more attention to finding solutions.

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In his new role, Marsh also can play a part in addressing those gaps as the college’s top-notch students graduate and enter the workforce.

“I think the product that we produce here — our veterinarians and veterinary nurses — will be very critical moving forward,” Marsh says.

Being a leader

Marsh’s transition to this new role also coincides with Purdue’s One Health initiative. This research-focused effort will expand upon connections between human, animal and environmental well-being. It is designed to promote research around those topics. However, Marsh says the veterinary college has been doing this all along.

“Veterinarians were doing One Health before we called it One Health,” Marsh says. “So we’ve been at it a long time, and I believe our college will be a cornerstone in that One Health initiative. It pulls together animal, plant, environmental and human health. We will play a pivotal role.”

The veterinary college’s research in oncology, musculoskeletal diseases and infectious diseases all position the college at the forefront of this initiative, Marsh says. This initiative now will recognize this work that has always been taking place. Putting a name to this type of work gives the college a unique opportunity to be a leader, Marsh says.

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“We have a very strong university that is well-known for engineering and technology,” Marsh says. “Those have been strong for some time. But I think this gives the vital life sciences disciplines in the university, including agriculture and veterinary medicine, an opportunity to say, “Now we can all work together to support animal health, human health and environmental health.’ It’s an important time for us.”

Marsh is looking forward to facilitating the collaborations that will result from this new initiative. As he puts it, this next decade will be the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine’s finest. Being there to witness what is to come is something Marsh doesn’t take for granted.

“It’s like coming home for me,” Marsh says. “It’s exciting for me to come back and give back to my college, my university and my state.”

Bret Marsh: At a glance

Current role: Dean of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine

Hometown: Boone County, Ind.

Growing up: Raised on his family’s farm

Past experience: Served 30 years as the state veterinarian with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health

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Family: Wife, Polly; children, Spencer and Lacey

No. 1 goal: Facilitate collaborations and unique opportunities for the college in the next decade, especially through Purdue’s One Health initiative

Notable: Was the long-term state veterinarian. Knew from a young age that he wanted to be in the veterinary field.