The UT College of Veterinary Medicine has been named a 2006 Commitment Award winner

The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine has been named a 2006 Commitment Award winner in the annual Excellence in Tennessee recognition program administered by the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE).

The leadership at the college chose to participate in the rigorous application and evaluation process in order to become a better organization by improving its effectiveness and the value of the service it provides to citizens throughout the region. The program uses the Criteria for Performance Excellence established by the Baldrige National Quality Program as the evaluation tool. Among the criteria examined are leadership, strategic planning, market focus, measurement, analysis, faculty and staff focus, process management and results.

Recipients of Commitment Awards have demonstrated progress by identifying and putting in place some key process improvements that are directly attributable to a fact-based improvement process.

"I applaud winners of all levels as they progress toward excellence – their efforts demonstrate that the quest for business excellence is alive and well in our state, and that bodes well for our economy and our communities," said Governor Phil Bredesen in a news release issued by the TNCPE. "I encourage more Tennessee organizations to model their efforts."

In addition to The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, 12 other organizations will be honored with the Commitment Award at the 14^th annual Excellence in Tennessee Awards Banquet held in Nashville in February.

The college first won the TNCPE Commitment award in 2003. One of 28 veterinary colleges in the United States, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine educates students in the art and science of veterinary medicine and related biomedical sciences, promotes scientific research and enhances human and animal well-being.