Few people can say they helped build a college of veterinary medicine from the ground up, but Joe Ann Ward did just that! Joe Ann’s support of Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine began with her late husband in 1977. Dr. Hugh G. Ward, a Jackson veterinarian, and founder of Briarwood Animal Hospital and Millcreek Animal Clinic, who served as president of the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Ward traveled the state seeking support for the creation of a veterinary school in Mississippi. As a member of the advisory committee at the College’s formation in 1977, Dr. Ward’s dream became a reality, and he was one of the first practicing veterinarians to serve as a mentor of MSU CVM students.
After Dr. Ward’s unexpected passing in 1998, Joe Ann’s compassion for animals and her wish to continue her husband’s lifelong work of educating veterinarians in our state and assisting MSU CVM led her to gift $1,250,000 to establish the first endowed chair at the College. Having the Dr. Hugh G. Ward Chair in Small Animal Veterinary Medicine enabled MSU CVM to recruit an internationally recognized scholar and researcher in small animal medicine to mentor veterinary students and to provide excellent care to the companion animals in Mississippi and throughout the world.
Just one year later, Joe Ann furthered her support of MSU CVM, making a $1.5 million gift to fund a critical care unit for small animals in the MSU CVM Animal Health Center. The Joe Ann Ward Critical Care Unit provides a much-needed area for clinicians to examine, diagnose, and treat thousands of pets each year. The unit is also significant because it provides a unique laboratory for students to learn important medical concepts in intensive and critical care delivery, as well as greatly enhances the AHC’s ability to treat the beloved pets in their care.
Joe Ann continues to support the veterinary medical program her husband held so dear.
She spends much of her time volunteering with various community efforts in Jackson and at MSU. She is a former member of the MSU Foundation Board of Directors and the CVM Dean’s Development Council
