The monthly “Elevate Well-Being” blog series shares thoughts and reflections of Clemson Well-Being Council members and University faculty, staff and students. Our March 2026 blog is courtesy Steven Marks, founding dean of the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine.
Most people imagine veterinary medicine as a world filled with wagging tails, warm muzzles and grateful pet owners. And yes, those moments of deep connection with animals are among the greatest privileges of our profession. But behind the scenes, the reality is far more complex, far more demanding and far more human.
The truth is this: the veterinary profession is carrying a weight that has too often remained unspoken.
Recent research reveals that veterinarians face significantly higher risks of depression and suicidal ideation compared to the general population, with suicide rates estimated to be several times greater than U.S. norms (Nett et al., 2015). The American Veterinary Medical Association continues to highlight this growing concern across the profession. Long hours, emotional fatigue, moral distress, compassion fatigue and the loneliness of making life-and-death decisions (sometimes multiple times in a day) make this a career of profound privilege and profound psychological strain.
This is not simply a trend line. It is a call to action.
Why Well-being Must Be Foundational at Clemson’s College of Veterinary Medicine
As we build the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine from the ground up, we are not only creating a school, we are creating culture. One that must place well-being at its center. Veterinary medical education is rigorous. Our students will be asked to master complex science, manage emotionally charged clinical situations, and embrace the weight of responsibility that comes with caring for patients who cannot speak for themselves.
Supporting their well-being, along with that of our faculty and staff, is not optional. It is essential to their safety, success, long-term health, and health of the communities they go on to serve.
I often remind my colleagues the well-being of the veterinary workforce is not separate from academic excellence, clinical outcomes or scientific innovation. It fuels them. There is no patient care without caregiver care. There is no thriving institution without a thriving community.
This is why, at Clemson, well-being is a defining pillar of who we are.
Core Principles That Will Guide Our Culture
Darla Moore Scholars on Saturday, March 14.
As we build this school, I am committed to embedding well-being into our structures, expectations and daily practices — not as an afterthought, but as an intentional part of our professional identity.
Here are the principles as a leader that I believe fosters this ethos of well-being as a part of our college:
A Patient Safety Culture / Just Culture
A just culture recognizes that mistakes are part of learning and that accountability does not mean blame. It builds psychological safety, encourages open communication and strengthens our teams. When people feel safe, respected and supported, both patient care and human well-being improve. And not only that, but it’s also a hallmark of a learning institution: mistakes are part of how we grow.
Servant Leadership
Leadership is not about authority; it’s about responsibility. I believe in a model that prioritizes humility, listening and service. In a servant-led environment, students and colleagues know they are valued not only for what they produce, but for who they are.
Skills That Promote Resilience
Resilience is not innate; it is taught, practiced and strengthened over time. We will prepare veterinary professionals who are not only clinically excellent but emotionally equipped to navigate the demands of this work: through stress management tools, reflective practice and growth-oriented learning. We intend to build this into the fabric of the knowledge, skills and abilities our students gain with their degree.
Transparent, Open Conversation About Mental Health
Stigma thrives in silence. As Brene Brown says, “Shame and stigma cannot exist being spoken.” We will aim for transparency, from leadership to faculty to students, about the importance of physical and mental health. And we will normalize asking for help, setting boundaries and choosing sustainability over burnout.
Accessible, Immediate Support Systems
We are leveraging our strategy to build well-being into where our veterinarian students and employees will live, learn and work. There will be:
- On-site counseling designed for the unique needs of veterinary learners and practitioners
- On-site physical fitness facilities to promote movement, stress relief and connection
- Access to the Clemson Forest, an extraordinary resource for nature-based recovery
- Out-of-classroom opportunities that build community, identity and joy — because belonging is medicine
- An open-door policy from leadership so no one feels alone in their concerns or their questions
These are not perks. These are a part of who we are, and essential elements of a healthy professional school.
The Charge Before Us
We are entering this historic moment — building the first veterinary school our state has ever seen — at a time when our profession needs hope. We have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to design a school that not only prepares exceptional veterinarians but also reimagines what it means to flourish in this field.
My vision is simple:
Clemson’s College of Veterinary Medicine will be a place where excellence and well-being are inseparable.
We will graduate veterinarians who are clinically skilled, emotionally grounded and prepared to serve with compassion — for their patients, their communities and for themselves.
And together, we will strengthen the future of the profession. And contribute to the culture of well-being Clemson University seeks to institutionalize for all.
