USDA Chief Veterinary Officer for Animal Health
to Deliver CVM Commencement Address

University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine alumnus Dr. John R. Clifford, DVM ’83, will deliver the commencement address to members of the Class of 2010 on May 14. CVM graduation ceremonies will be held at 1 p.m. in Jesse Hall on the University of Missouri campus.

Clifford is the deputy administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services program. In this position, he provides leadership for safeguarding U.S. animal health.

Prior to becoming deputy administrator in May 2004, Clifford served as the Veterinary Services’ acting deputy administrator. He was the associate deputy administrator of the National Animal Health and Policy program where he led efforts to protect, sustain and improve productivity, marketability and health of the nation’s animals, animal products and biologics.

From 1997-2002, Clifford served as the Veterinary Services assistant deputy administrator. He also has extensive field experience. Since joining the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in 1985, Clifford has also served as the area veterinarian in charge in Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan and Indiana; the National Health Monitoring System coordinator in Ohio; and the brucellosis epidemiologist and veterinary medical officer in Kentucky.

Before beginning his work with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Clifford was a private veterinarian in a mixed practice. He received his bachelor of science degree in animal science from MU.

A native of Kentucky, Clifford currently resides in Virginia with his wife, Sara.

Return to News and Events home