Palmer

The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and the New York State Gaming Commission today announced the appointment of Dr. Scott E. Palmer, VMD, as the state’s equine medical director, effective Jan. 2.

Palmer, a veterinarian from New Jersey with more than three decades of experience in providing medical care for horses, will oversee the health and safety of horses at all New York state thoroughbred and standardbred racetracks. He will advise the commission on equine medication policies and the safety and condition of racetrack facilities and surfaces, and supervise all on-track regulatory veterinarians and the New York State Equine Drug Testing Program laboratory.

Palmer also will serve as an adjunct professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, where he will be responsible for developing and coordinating continuing education programs for veterinarians and trainers related to medication and equine injuries. He will coordinate research on equine sports medicine topics and collaborate with faculty on epidemiological studies to analyze equine safety issues.

Michael I. Kotlikoff, Cornell’s Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine, said: “The designation of a highly experienced veterinarian with broad authority to oversee all aspects of racing regulations, testing and compliance, as well as research and education, will ensure the integrity of, and public confidence in, New York state’s premier racing programs.”

Palmer said: “Having a sole veterinary point of contact overseeing all New York race horses and having access to Cornell’s array of resources is simply smart policy. I am eager to get to work, and I look forward to working with our partners to create as safe an environment as possible for our horses.”

The New York State Gaming Commission regulates all aspects of gaming and gambling activity in the state, including horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering, class III Indian gaming, video lottery terminal facilities at racetracks, the state lottery and charitable gaming.