A veterinarian's vision for the next generation of veterinary professionals

As Pride Month comes to a close, conversations about inclusion and workplace culture in veterinary medicine continue beyond June. In this interview, Tripp Oliphant, DVM, reflects on how feeling accepted in the workplace has allowed him to focus on growing as a clinician and expanding his knowledge rather than worrying about whether he belongs. Looking ahead, he shares his hope for a future where LGBTQ+ veterinary professionals never have to think about coming out or being accepted at work, and where they are valued for their skills from day one. Rather than focusing on policies or statements, Oliphant emphasizes the everyday impact that feeling accepted can have on a veterinarian's confidence and professional development.

Below is the transcript, which has been lightly edited for clarity.

dvm360: What do you hope the future of veterinary medicine looks like for the next generation of LGBTQ+ veterinary professionals?

Tripp Oliphant, DVM: Just in general I would say in the world, it would be great for the next generation to not ever have to worry about coming out or being accepted. I want for veterinarians, I would love for us to go in, and I'm fortunate, and I acknowledge not everyone is this fortunate, but I've been in a situation, in multiple situations, where my workplaces have been so accepting of who I am, and so I think that that does say a lot about how I've been able to grow as a veterinarian because you can truly focus on your growth and your knowledge base when you truly feel safe and you feel accepted in who you are, and so my hope would be that in the future we wouldn't have to worry about having these accepted cultures, that it would just be you come in as you are, and we appreciate you and your skills as a veterinarian, and then hopefully they grow into the incredible veterinarians that we all know that we can be.