Agency history, 1969-

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Subject

  • Reed, Theodore H
  • Wright, James F
  • Gray, Clinton W
  • Bush, R. Mitchell
  • Anthony, Carter H
  • Cambre, Richard C
  • Murray, Suzan
  • Neiffer, Donald
  • National Zoological Park (U.S.) Department of Zoological Programs
  • National Zoological Park (U.S.) Office of Animal Health
  • National Zoological Park (U.S.) Division of Animal Health
  • National Zoological Park (U.S.) Department of Animal Health
  • National Zoological Park (U.S.) Office of Animal Health and Pathology

Category

Agency History

Notes

  • This is an agency history. It does not describe actual records. The Smithsonian Institution Archives uses these histories as brief accounts of the origin, development, and functions of an office or administrative unit to set that unit in its historical context. To find information on record holdings, please double-click the highlighted field "Creator/Author", which will open on a brief view of relevant records.
  • Smithsonian Year, 1974, 1985, 1995
  • Smithsonian Institution Annals, 1985-1997
  • Smithsonian Institution Directory, 1971-1999
  • Record Unit 326 Finding Aid
  • Letter to the Committee on the Review of the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park, by Donald K. Nichols, November 14, 2003, Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/specials/zoo/nichols_letter.htm, accessed February 2, 2023
  • Dr. Donald Neiffer Named Chief Veterinarian at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, News Release, October 24, 2014, https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/dr-donald-neiffer-named-chief-veterinarian-smithsonian-s-national-zoo, accessed February 2, 2023
  • Veterinary medicine was recognized as an official administrative unit of the National Zoological Park in 1969, when the Animal Health Department was established. Prior to 1969, most animal medical functions were performed by outside veterinarians. The NZP had one full-time veterinarian on staff from the early 1940s to about 1969. The name of the Department changed to the Division of Animal Health under the Department of Zoological Programs in 1971; the Office of Animal Health and Pathology around 1974 to 1976; the Office of Animal Health in 1976; and the Department of Animal Health, which it retains to the present, in 1980.
  • The Department of Animal Health provides veterinary support for the animal collections at Rock Creek Park and the Conservation and Research Center at Front Royal, Virginia. These duties include treatment and disease investigation. Clinical staff also conducts research, technique development, postgraduate training, and extensive publishing.
  • The first Veterinarian at the Zoo was Carter H. Anthony who served for a short time in the early 1940s. Then, Theodore H. Reed, 1955-1958; James F. Wright, 1958-1962; and after a brief vacancy, Clinton W. Gray, 1963-1975, each served as Veterinarian for NZP. R. Mitchell Bush led the Department from 1975 to 1993. There was another vacancy during 1993 before Richard C. Cambre became Head of the Department of Animal Health, 1994-1999. From 2001-2014 Suzan Murray served as the Chief Veterinary Medical Officer. In 2015, Donald Neiffer was named Chief Veterinarian.
  • For a history of the larger creating unit, refer to "Forms part of " above.

Repository Loc.

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Capital Gallery, Suite 3000, MRC 507; 600 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20024-2520

Date

  • 1980
  • 1969-

Topic

  • Zoos
  • Animals
  • Zoo veterinarians
  • Veterinary medicine
  • Zoo animals

Form/Genre

Mixed archival materials

Local number

SIA AH00244

Full Record

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