NAVC partners with BLEND to inspire future veterinarians

The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) announced its partnership with BLEND to inspire, educate, and provide scholarship support to underserved middle school-aged children who are interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. Sponsored by Banfield Pet Hospital, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and Merck Animal Health, a hands-on program will be available with a diversity-focused event for minority students from Central Florida on Martin Luther King Jr Day, which falls during the Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX).

“We are passionate about providing ongoing education and mentoring to the veterinarians of tomorrow through our new initiative,” said Gene O'Neill, NAVC CEO, in an organizational release.¹ “With only 6.7% of veterinarians being people of color and as few as 1.2% Black, the NAVC and BLEND are committed to creating more diversity within the veterinary industry by opening new doors for minority youth to pursue veterinary careers. It is particularly important to encourage youth today to consider a career in veterinary medicine because the shortages we’re facing will create an even greater need for veterinary professionals in the years to come.”

Led by Niccole Bruno, DVM, CEO and founder of BLEND, “A Day of Service: Believe & Belong in Veterinary Medicine” will give students hands-on experience through workshop stations to learn about dermatology, emergency medicine, surgery, and more. According to the release,¹ students will also practice incubation on a model dog and observe examinations completed by veterinary professionals. Students will also hear a special presentation from Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, from Nat Geo’s WILD television show “Pop Goes the Vet with Dr. Joya” to learn more about dermatology and the impact of her practice.

Students will also participate in a networking lunch with experts in different professions within the veterinary industry and discuss the next steps for anyone interested in a veterinary career by providing access to in-clinic shadowing, scholarship programs, and more.

At the end of the event, participants will receive a certificate that verifies they earned 5 hours of education in veterinary medicine and there will be an informative BLEND session for parents and guardians to walk through the path to veterinary medicine, from a parental standpoint. Students will also receive access to materials from Vet Set Go and a list of local veterinarians interested in giving students shadowing opportunities.

"The topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has been a passive movement in veterinary medicine for decades, and while many higher institutions and professional organizations have begun to address the need to invoke change in this space, statistically, there continues to be minimal change in representation," expressed Bruno.

“BLEND's goal is to not only ensure DEI and a sense of belonging is embedded into the veterinary culture but firmly believes that representation matters in exposing black, indigenous, and persons of color (BIPOC) to veterinary medicine,” she concluded.¹

“A Day of Service: Believe & Belong in Veterinary Medicine” will begin Monday, January 16, 2023, at 9:00 am and run through 4:00 pm with registration closing on December 15, 2022. For anyone in the area interested, more information is available on the NAVC website.

Reference

The North American Veterinary Community Partners with Veterinary Industry Leader in DEI to Inspire and Support Future Veterinarians. News release. The North American Veterinary Community. December 6, 2022. Accessed December 8, 2022.