Valerie E. Ragan

Valerie E. Ragan is a Professor of Practice and Director of the Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech’s Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She specializes in public health policy, disease control, and veterinary capacity building, with a focus on brucellosis eradication. Her work emphasizes One Health initiatives and transitioning veterinarians into non-traditional careers.

Education:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (1983), University of Georgia
• Graduate work in Biostatistics and Epidemiology (1991), University of Michigan
• Pre-veterinary studies (1976–1979), Virginia Tech

Research Interests: Dr. Ragan leads efforts to combat brucellosis globally, designs veterinary training programs, and advocates for expanded roles for veterinarians in public health. Her work spans epidemiology, international collaboration, and policy development to address zoonotic diseases and livestock health.

International Engagement: She has advised governments and organizations in Armenia, Uruguay, Guatemala, Chile, Mexico, Egypt, and others on brucellosis control. Her contributions include training programs, surveillance system design, and policy recommendations aligned with international standards.

Awards:

• AVMA Public Service Award (2017)

Advising & Leadership: Directs the Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine, which trains students for careers beyond private practice. Her USDA career included roles as National Brucellosis Epidemiologist and Assistant Deputy Administrator, where she established the National Surveillance Unit.