In recent years, many institutions have had to address budgetary and environmental changes that compel the restructuring of programs and departments. It is generally believed that restructuring will create a more efficient program that will be better able to succeed in the future. To that end, the formation of the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine (VDPAM) was announced this fall by the College of Veterinary Medicine. The mission of the newly created VDPAM is "to assist veterinarians, their clients, and others responsible for animal health in the detection, characterization, control, and prevention of animal diseases and to provide programs in professional service, education, and research that optimize productivity and animal welfare in the food animal industries while sustaining the environment and assuring animal product safety."