Training Programs
Ocean State Veterinary Specialists is a large and busy 24-hour emergency and specialty referral center located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. The hospital is a 26,000 sq. ft. facility offering referral and emergency services to the RI, eastern CT, and southern MA areas. We are in the process of expanding and adding 10,000 additional square footage to the hospital. There is no general practice associated with the hospital. Equipment includes digital radiography, ultrasound, CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, laparoscopy, mechanical ventilation, telemetry, and state-of the-art monitoring equipment. There are twenty specialists currently on staff in the disciplines of surgery, medicine, critical care, cardiology, neurology, radiology, ophthalmology, oncology and exotics. The emergency clinicians are all internship-trained and experienced. There are residents and interns in Emergency/Critical care and Surgery.
We are located in Rhode Island, the beautiful Ocean State – and close to all of New England’s offerings. East Greenwich is in the middle of the state of Rhode Island on the west shore of Narragansett Bay. It is close to scenic Newport and coastal beaches, and approximately one hour from Boston. It is possible to live in rural or suburban areas, or in the city of Providence and be a short driving distance from the hospital.
Training Programs
If you are interested in the Emergency/Critical Care Residency, Rotating Veterinary Internship, Advanced Emergency/Surgery Internship or The Externship for Veterinary Students please contact: Justine Johnson DVM, DACVECC at jjohnson@osvs.net,
or click the Connect With Us button and fill out the form:
Start your journey in January or July and transition seamlessly into increasing supervision and leadership roles. At OSVS, you’ll gain the training, mentorship, and hands-on experience needed to excel as a clinical criticalist in a top-tier specialty or academic hospital. Our three-year ECC residency program is designed to provide comprehensive training, real-world case management, and exceptional board preparation, setting you up for long-term success.
- Immersive Critical Care Training
- 60% of residency spent in emergency & critical care under direct supervision of our three board-certified criticalists
- Independent case management with weekly critical care case reviews & topic rounds for board prep
- Specialty rotations in internal medicine (cardiology, neurology, oncology), anesthesia, surgery, and radiology
- Extensive case rounds ensure learning from personal cases and those managed by peers
The internship at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists (OSVS) offers unmatched training in a supportive and fun environment:
- Busy ER and Specialty Referral Practice
- Exposure to a diverse and challenging caseload.
- Continuous support from experienced ER doctors and specialists.
- Strong Critical Care Support
- Four board-certified criticalists guide and support the ER service.
- High-Quality Learning and Supervision
- Emphasis on didactic education and hands-on case management.
- Interns are well-prepared for general practice, fast-paced emergency settings, or future residencies.
The OSVS Internship Program is a Combined Advanced Training Program in Emergency Medicine & Surgery!
- Program Goal
- Train doctors to provide high-quality emergency care, including surgery.
- Develop skills that make participants highly marketable for emergency positions in specialty and emergency centers.
- Not intended as a residency stepping stone, though some graduates have successfully pursued surgery residencies.
- Emergency Service Overview
- OSVS has a busy emergency service that generates much of the surgical caseload.
- Training Structure:
- 40% on emergency/critical care shifts under the supervision of criticalists, ECC residents, and experienced ER doctors.
- 50% on surgery rotations with board-certified surgeons and surgery residents.
- Remaining time rotating through various hospital specialties.
OSVS is an official site for veterinary school rotations!
- Open to third- and fourth-year veterinary students.
- Partnered with many of the country’s veterinary schools.
- Program Overview
- Gain experience in the emergency/specialty referral private practice environment.
- Strengthen medical knowledge and clinical competency.
- Ideal for students considering the OSVS internship program.
- Flexible Scheduling
- Externships can be 1 to 4 weeks long.
- Choose to work day shifts (8 AM–6 PM), evening shifts (2 PM–midnight), or a mix.
- Encouraged to work one weekend shift per week.
