Dive In
Stories that deserve an extra look
This one is hot off the presses, so we’re flushing the format and diving all the way into Lincoln Memorial University’s antitrust lawsuit against the AVMA.
Accreditation Under Scrutiny: LMU Takes Legal Stand Against the AVMA
Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) has filed a headline-grabbing antitrust lawsuit against the American Veterinary Medical Association (the AVMA), accusing the organization of playing gatekeeper a little too enthusiastically. Rather than going after money, LMU is asking the courts to make the AVMA rethink how it doles out accreditation to veterinary schools.
Who Are These Players?
Lincoln Memorial University’s Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine is a newer face in the vet school lineup, having earned its accreditation from the AVMA’s Council on Education (COE) back in 2019. Despite being new, LMU has grown to be the largest veterinary school in the country.
The AVMA wears two big hats—one as a trade association and another as the gatekeeper for vet school accreditation in the U.S.
"We’re not asking for special treatment—we’re asking for fair treatment," said Dr. Jason McConnell, Dean of LMU-CVET. "The accreditation process should encourage innovation and accessibility, not prevent it."
The Crux of the Complaint
LMU says the AVMA’s dual role is a classic case of conflict of interest. When the AVMA recently slapped LMU with probation, citing issues like research requirements and facilities, LMU saw it as more than academic nitpicking—they believe it's part of a pattern to keep upstart schools out.
"You can’t be both the referee and the team captain," added McConnell. "The AVMA needs to decide whether it wants to represent the profession or regulate it—but it shouldn’t be doing both."
Why Antitrust?
Antitrust laws exist to keep markets open and competitive. LMU argues that the AVMA is monopolizing veterinary school accreditation, limiting new schools from entering the field, which ultimately squeezes the pipeline of future veterinarians and keeps prices high for students and pet owners alike.
Impact of Probation
Probation from the AVMA isn’t just a bureaucratic slap on the wrist—it’s a serious blow to a school’s reputation and ability to grow. For LMU, this status could mean fewer applicants, slowed expansion plans, and a cloud of uncertainty over its future. Recent episodes have hit on the waves caused by probation for UK’s Royal Veterinary College.
National Implications
LMU’s suit lands at a time when vet care demand is climbing fast. The AVMA’s tight grip on accreditation, LMU argues, creates an unnecessary bottleneck. Fewer schools mean fewer vets, higher education costs, and longer wait times for pets in need.
Potential for Reform
This isn’t LMU’s first rodeo. In 2011, LMU sued the American Bar Association after its law school was denied accreditation, arguing the process was biased and anticompetitive. Though the lawsuit was dismissed, LMU ultimately secured full accreditation, and the experience laid groundwork for its current challenge to the AVMA. If successful, this case could force changes in how accreditation works—perhaps even separating it from trade groups entirely.
The Big Question
Is the AVMA’s accreditation system about quality assurance, or about protecting turf? LMU claims it isn’t looking to lower standards, but to make sure those standards don’t unfairly block capable schools from joining the field. This suit is fresh, and the AVMA has not yet had the opportunity to respond.
Final Verdict (So Far)
The case raises big questions about power, transparency, and access in veterinary education. If LMU wins, it could usher in more competition, more vet schools, and—potentially—better access and affordability for everyone who relies on veterinary care. If LMU loses, the AVMA could feel encouraged to maintain it’s accreditation standards or push for more.
👉 Read LMU’s press release or the full suit
The Bird Bath is committed to fair and transparent reporting. We will be reaching out directly to the AVMA for comments and more in next week’s episode.
Beyond the Branch
Intriguing news from outside the veterinary industry
Microsoft has published a deep dive into the future of work, and analyzed the way AI agents will transform our human roles in business. 👉 Dive into the Future here
Why you should care
The future the study paints is one of human bosses with digital employees. A gradual build up of agents working for every employee allowing them to do more in less time. One other bright light is the reduction of interruptions from coworkers that can now look to agents to help them solve their problems.

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