Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Why DEI?

Last year Pawsibilities Vet Med partnered with the California Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Marcano’s article on white saviorism was published in the January-February 2023 issue of California Veterinarian, the publication of the CVMA.

On January 16th, Pawsibilities Vet Med received an email addressed to Dr. Marcano full of hate speech (copy below). Dr. Marcano posted the email on social media. Dr. Marcano received hundreds of likes, comments, shares and messages from individuals and organizations. Since then, another two similar emails arrived. They are also below.

Dr. Marcano's CVMA White Saviorism Article

How can you support Pawsibilities Vet Med today?

How can ORGANIZATIONS help create a more inclusive veterinary medicine?

Clear codes of conduct with reinforceable consequences are key. When members of associations break the law and mistreat animals, there are often clear actions. These must be extended to hate speech, harassment, violence and discrimination, as defined by those who are impacted. Mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion training are known to increase animosity. 
So how do we foster change? We have clear pathways, warn individuals about the consequences, recommend voluntary training and volunteering and when events happen, we enforce. 

Respect and professionalism towards people should be expected within every organization. Define what professional misconduct includes – for instance, codes of conduct must clearly state that hate speech and discrimination on the basis of age, ability, gender identity, neurodiversity, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background will not be tolerated. Intentionality and degree of offense should be considered when defining discrimination and hate speech.

The code of conduct or any other relevant documentation must include clear ways to report individuals suspected of misconduct. Examples of this include an embedded web form or the email of the officer to be contacted. In addition, a message indicating the complaint has been received and a timeframe for an update on the case are paramount.

  • Organizations should have a committee in place to review code of conduct complaints. The organization must also have a plan in place, such as an external mediator, in case of conflict of interests. The organization must begin an investigation.
  • Once a claim has been filed, clear action steps must be available for anyone found guilty of intentional discriminatory misconduct or hate speech.
  • Enforceable actions include limited access to membership benefits and leadership within the organization (see below).
  • A path to redemption must be defined and include apologies and training to ensure it will not happen again.
  • Repeated offenses must result in dismissal and membership revoked
  • Dismissals due to discriminatory practices and hate speech must not be confidential. While the details surrounding the dismissal do not need to be shared, categorical dismissal must be available to any organizations that this individual may join in the future.

What are areas of enforceable actions?

We must prevent bias from affecting recruitment and retention. It is harmful for our pipeline to have individuals racist, homophobic and other discriminatory beliefs directly impacting the pool of incoming professionals.

Veterinary medicine does not currently represent the population of the United States. Serving the communities we care for and ultimately addressing veterinary care deserts can only be done by understanding and appreciating
community differences. Allowing discriminatory practices to spread through our professional and educational spaces does nothing to advance our profession. 

Hands on training is paramount to success in veterinary medicine.It is nerve-racking enough knowing you have a life in your hands without also being attacked for who you are and what you look like during the process. Our pipeline must be fostered in an inclusive and supportive environment.

One of the many benefits of being an AVMA member is affordable liability and health insurance for businesses.  Discriminatory practices increase liability of both those individuals, their business and our profession. Those who aim to hurt others physically, emotionally and psychologically should not be afforded these benefits without demonstrating they are willing to learn to be inclusive.
These include but are not limited to, committees and board positions in medical boards, nonprofit organizations, shelters and academic institutions. Individuals guiding our profession must have open minds, be willing to grow and uphold professionalism. Violence towards community members is unacceptable unprofessional behavior.
Implicit bias testing should be mandatory for all in leadership positions. This includes but it is not limited to committee members, reviewers, supervisors and managers.
Potential employees, externs, interns, locum and relief personnel must be aware that they may be working in a toxic environment.

Organizations driving inclusive change in veterinary medicine

  • American Association of Veterinarians of Indian Origin (AAVIO)
  • Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals (AAVMP)
  • BlackDVM Network
  • Black Veterinary Association of Canada (BVAC)
  • Jewish Association of Veterinarians
  • Latinx Veterinary Medical Association (LVMA)
  • Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association (MCVMA)
  • Native American Veterinary Association (NAVA)
  • National Association for Black Veterinarians (NABV)
  • Pride Veterinary Medical Community (PrideVMC)
  • Pride Student Veterinary Medical Community (PrideSVMC)
  • Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment (VOICE)
  • Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative (WVLDI)
  • Blendvet®
  • Chapter VIII: Veterinary Inclusion and Intersectionality Initiative
  • Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition
  • Pawsibilities Vet Med
  • Twopointone Vet Med
  • Vets of all Colors
  • Empowering Veterinary Teams (EVT)
  • Get MotiVETed! Veterinary Wellbeing Solutions
  • Not One More Vet (NOMV)
  • Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds
Email 1
Email 2
Email 3
I was born in Florida, and grew up the Dominican Republic until the age of 14. I was raised by a veterinarian mother who exposed me to companion, small ruminant and poultry medicine from a very young age. 
 
I work for equality as a way of access to food, veterinary care, and careers in veterinary medicine. I fulfill my veterinarian’s oath by promoting poultry health, providing companion animal care in low income areas, and by helping to train the next generation of veterinarians. 
 
I have been told the work I do in #diversityequityinclusion is a distraction and that hosting student externs and doing student presentations is ok, as long as it doesn’t affect my work with my customers.   
 
Why do I keep going? 
Because #vetmed  has given me so much, and there are people out there who understand the impact of having a profession that reflects our population. Having groups such as Pride VMC, Latinx Veterinary Medical Association, Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association (MCVMA), Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals – AAVMP, Not One More Vet, blendvet® keeps our profession healthy, growing and thriving.
 
Veterinary medicine is about fostering the human-animal bond, providing an affordable and safe food supply, and advancing both human and non-human animal medicine.  
 
To care for others, we must care for ourselves -physically and emotionally. Those coming into our profession deserve to feel included. That is difficult while there are people out there like Keith Hilinski at ROLLING HILLS PET HOSPITAL fostering racism in our profession. Spewing hate, and wasting energy bashing others is not what our profession needs. If you didn’t like my article, feel free to let the California Veterinary Medical Association know. 
 
Let’s build a veterinary profession in which there is no room for racism and bigotry. 
The unhinged response to my article, “White Saviorism in Veterinary Medicine and How to Avoid It” was not the first I receive a similar reply. And it won’t be the last. 
 
It is however, the first time I have shared one of these messages publicly. Why? Because:
–> it is exhausting living with the trauma plus wondering if speaking up will end of your career 
–> there are TONS of similar stories and many who don’t feel comfortable sharing
–> while my post is not news to people from underserved & underrepresented communities, & it will not change the mind of the sender, it might open the eyes of those yet to realize that this happens regularly in the vet med
 
This is a reminder of why #DiversityEquityInclusion work is paramount. But destroying his business with reviews telling him to harm himself will not change his mind. In fact, it is likely to make him & those who feel similarly to him more hostile. Individuals like him should not be in a position to mentor or lead others – they harm our profession with toxicity and exclusion. 
 
To those that have asked me how you can help, here are my thoughts: 
– Be an Ally (shameless plug: https://lnkd.in/dFvdXwSK) 
– Ensure professional organizations are aware of their member’s behavior – document it!
– Follow, support & amplify the voices of those promoting DEI
– Create inclusive spaces through volunteering, outreach, mentorship, shadowing & scholarships 
– Support your local and National DEI task forces & committees
 
Join, volunteer with and donate to Pawsibilities Vet Med & the numerous organizations working to better our profession:
 
American Association of Veterinarians of Indian Origin
Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals 
BlackDvm Network
Black Veterinary Association of Canada
blendvet®
Chapter VIII: Veterinary Inclusion and Intersectionality Initiative
Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition
Empowering Veterinary Teams (EVT)
Get MotiVETed! Veterinary Wellbeing Solutions
Jewish Association of Veterinarians
Latinx Veterinary Medical Association
Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association (MCVMA)
Native American Veterinary Association
National Association for Black Veterinarians
Not One More Vet
Pride VMC
Pride Student Veterinary Medical Community
Twopointone Vet Med
Vets of all Colors
Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment
Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative
 
Like Frank DeCecco said, let’s create a #veterinarymedicine in which there is no room for discrimination! 
 
A few more resources:
– American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges’s Diversity and Inclusion on Air
– AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)’s Brave Space Certificate
– AVMA and VMAE’s Journey for Teams
– Purdue University’s Certificate Programs for Diversity & Inclusion in Vet Med 
 
Feel free to add other organizations or resources in the comments.
 
I NEVER imagined the overwhelmingly positive response I have received from my profession in the last week. As an Afro-Latina with anxiety, depression, ADHD and Ehler Danlos Syndrome, some days getting out of bed is very difficult. As the impostor syndrome wasn’t enough, racism, sexism and ableism instigate the feelings of inadequacy. Last week it was two emails, one specifically designed to break my self-esteem, followed up by one threatening litigation. Having my profession stand with me, while my persona is attacked makes me stand taller. 
 
#diversityequityinclusion work is EXHAUSTING, and often carried out by individuals who are members of underrepresented communities. Change is also exhausting; some people relive past trauma, others confront the reality of marginalized communities while navigating through how everyday activities can make us unintentionally complicit. A few people choose violence, bigotry and hate speech. 
 
It may surprising to you that an individual will message someone they have never met and let them know they believe their article is 
“an obvious, pathetic cry of attention-getting behavior”, 
while simultaneously bashing their cultural roots and professional accomplishments. But for every one of those people, there are people fostering and creating long lasting change by 
     1. donating to organizations creating an inclusive vet med, 
     2. standing up against those harming individuals from underrepresented communities
& 
     3. holding local and national associations accountable by reporting and calling for action 
 
LET the outrage you feel move you beyond the comfort of a support message into a path that creates a better future for our profession. 
 
What can YOU do?
–> DONATE. Over 90% of our funding comes from private and corporate donations. 
–> Follow Pawsibilities Vet Med on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
–> Become a MENTOR, MENTEE or VOLUNTEER. 
–> BUY merchandise – details coming soon! 
 
Be on the lookout for a more detailed actionable list 🙂 
 
THANK YOU to all of the people and organizations that have reached out. Sorry if I forget to tag you. 
 
Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals – AAVMP
BlackDVM Network, LLC 
Chapter VIII: Veterinary Inclusion and Intersectionality Initiative
Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition
Empowering Veterinary Teams (EVT)
Get MotiVETed! Veterinary Wellbeing Solutions
Latinx Veterinary Medical Association
Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association (MCVMA) 
Not One More Vet
Pride VMC
Snout School

We’re on mobile!

> Click link above for the Graduway Community App
> Download app
> Search for Pawsibilities Vet Med
> Sign in/Register

> Click link above for the Pawsibilities App 
> Download app
> Sign in/Register

Scroll to Top