Outernships and Residencies: On being “Out” for the VIRMP

As many fourth-year veterinary students and interns are (uncomfortably) aware, tomorrow, December 3rd, is the deadline for application to the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program sponsored by the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians.  For the unacquainted, the program allows those desiring of an internship or residency to apply and rank programs, and a centralized VIRMP computer program is able to match student rankings of programs with program rankings of students to ensure the best fit for both parties.   The program opens from Mid-October through early-December and often signals a stressful time of statement writing, CV modifying, reference seeking, form filling, and careful contemplation into one’s future.

The VIRMP Homepage, a sight/site familiar to many

When Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association was founded, many students sought to address the queer and age-old question of whether or not to be open about one’s orientation in various applications, whether for vet school itself, or for internships, residencies, and jobs.  As one can see from this discriminatory remark from an established veterinarian,  sometimes it’s just not safe to be out in the veterinary profession, and unfortunately, being out can sometimes cost you the spot, the prospective job, or your current job.  However, through our interview series with veterinarians such as Dr. Larry Carbone  and Dr. Patrick Mahaney, we have received words of encouragement to stay true to who you are and to not shy away from listing leadership accomplishments in applications.

Seeing that many of us are currently undergoing or will be planning on going through the VIRMP process, we decided it would be helpful to talk to current out interns and residents about their experiences.  Read on for their experiences below, and feel free to participate by emailing us at broadspectrumoutreach@gmail.com.  See the end of the post for more details on participating.

***

Name: Scott Joudrey  
What veterinary school did you attend?  When did you graduate?  Were you out while in veterinary school?
Atlantic Veterinary College. 2011.  I was out the whole time.        
In what program are you currently an intern/resident?
Surgical Intern
What types of internships/residencies were you looking at (e.g. private vs academic)?  Why?
I am more interested in academia, as I enjoy teaching.
How are you currently feeling about your internship/residency?          
Surgery is a hard residency to get it seems. There is a lot of competition and many people have to do more than one internship and also fellowships. I am hopeful for matching this year though.    
Did state and local laws regarding non-discrimination play any role in deciding where to apply or where to go?   
No.    
Were you out during the application process?  Why or why not?          
I didn't put "I'm gay" on a banner and send it to them, no. During my visit to the clinic I did my general internship at, I didn't hide it and people know I was gay before offering me that internship.
Have you felt that being out or coming out has had any effect on how you are treated or how you are able to function in the clinic?        
Sometimes I wonder of male students feel uncomfortable around me, just because they don't know how to act around me. For the most part I think people just see me as me, who just happens to like guys. Gay jokes happen now and then, but I personally welcome them as they are always in a friendly way.    
Are there other out veterinarians at your clinic?            
Yes    
Do you have any tips or recommendation for those currently applying? 
Just be yourself. Don't feel like you have to advertise your sexuality, but also don't feel like you should hide it.                                          

***

Name: Jeffrey Barnet
What veterinary school did you attend?  When did you graduate? Were you out while in veterinary school?    
University of Pennsylvania, graduated in 2010, was out 100% of the time          
In what program are you currently an intern/resident?
Surgical specialty internship at University of Pennsylvania.  Previously a surgical intern at VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital (Denver, CO) and rotating intern at VCA Veterinary Referral Associates (Gaithersburg, MD).  
What types of internships/residencies were you looking at (e.g. private vs academic)?  Why?
Specifically was looking at academic residencies in surgery, although also looked at private practice ones as well.  Fell into my first and second surgical internships after I did not match for a residency.
How are you currently feeling about your internship/residency?          
Excellent internship to be out of the closet - very comfortable and accepting environment.  If you are 100% interested and committed to obtaining a surgical residency and have good patience, then this is an excellent choice.  Plenty of time to perform research, good access to faculty, little primary case responsibility.      
Did state and local laws regarding non-discrimination play any role in deciding where to apply or where to go?   
No.    
Were you out during the application process?  Why or why not?          
Yes I was.  It was a conscious decision to place my membership in the LGVMA in my resume for residencies.  I have no interest in attending a program that is not fully accepting of who I am.  Particularly during your internship/residency (for better or for worse) your program ends up also becoming your family/social life, and so it is important to take into account that you can socialize and be open with these individuals day in/day out.          
Have you felt that being out or coming out has had any effect on how you are treated or how you are able to function in the clinic?        
No.  It very uncommonly comes up, and those that bring it up do so in a natural and open manner.
Are there other out veterinarians at your clinic?            
Yes - both faculty members and residents (and students too).  

***

                                                                                                                                                                                    
Name: Shalini Latchman            
What veterinary school did you attend?  When did you graduate?  Were you out while in veterinary school?  
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduated 2012, yes I was out while in vet school.
In what program are you currently an intern/resident?
I am an intern at BluePearl Minnesota
What types of internships/residencies were you looking at (e.g. private vs academic)?  Why?
Private- wanted more real-life experience outside of academics          
How are you currently feeling about your internship/residency?          
Not great- it has a lot lacking as for as hands-on experience is concerned.  I would recommend an academic internship from now on.          
Did state and local laws regarding non-discrimination play any role in deciding where to apply or where to go?   
No- but I knew Minnesota's LGBT policies- I grew up here.      
Were you out during the application process?  Why or why not?          
Yup- by officership for Homophiliacs is on my resume- it's a leadership position in diversity- I think it matters to be honest and proud of your affiliations
Have you felt that being out or coming out has had any effect on how you are treated or how you are able to function in the clinic? 
Not really- there are several other out clinicians and techs at this clinic
Do you have any tips or recommendation for those currently applying? 
From gathering information from fellow classmates, I recommend academic internships for those interested in residencies and jobs for those who are not- don't waste your time in a private practice internship- find a mentor at a job that values your time and is invested in you as a person and veterinarian

***

                                                                                                           
Name: Brendan            
What veterinary school did you attend?  When did you graduate?  Were you out while in veterinary school?
Cornell, 2009, Yes I was out.    
In what program are you currently an intern/resident?
Resident at Cornell
What types of internships/residencies were you looking at (e.g. private vs academic)?  Why?
I was willing to entertain private or academic since my specialty is so rare that the number of programs is limiting.        
How are you currently feeling about your internship/residency?          
Good- almost done...
Did state and local laws regarding non-discrimination play any role in deciding where to apply or where to go?   
No.  However, I did more strongly consider regions that I thought would be more receptive of the LGBTQ community.
Were you out during the application process?  Why or why not?          
Yes- I'm in a long term relationship and have no intention of hiding that.  While not a defining characteristic of me as a person, it's something that was bound to come out eventually.  The areas of the country where I thought I might have a harder time (Indiana, Texas) I asked current interns what their perception of the working environment was with regard to LGBTQ issues.  The internship I chose was in a gay friendly area of Florida.  I came out in the first 3 weeks of working there and did not get any negative response.  My being out also helped the next intern feel more comfortable choosing the position after seeing how well received I was at the hospital.
Did you find it difficult to come out?
I did not find it difficult- just dropped in conversation when it felt right.  Everyone knew I was gay when I arrived at my residency since I was dating one of the other residents.            
Have you felt that being out or coming out has had any effect on how you are treated or how you are able to function in the clinic?
No- I work in a liberal supportive environment.            
Are there other out veterinarians at your clinic?            
Yes    
Do you have any tips or recommendation for those currently applying? 
Be honest but know your audience.  Some people are accepting but don't want sexuality thrown in their faces.  I've learned to have a thick skin and not take things too seriously.                                                                                                            

***

As you can see, our post features interns and residents from both private practice and academia.  We received many responses from surgery interns.  If you identify on the LGBT+ spectrum, are a current or recent intern or resident, and would like to participate, please do so by emailing us at broadspectrumoutreach@gmail.com to answer any of the following questions with which you feel comfortable answering:

1. What is your name?  (You can be as anonymous as you want (e.g. Full name, First name only, "Anonymous Intern # x" etc.)
2. What veterinary school did you attend?  Were you out during veterinary school?  When did you graduate?
3. What program are you currently in?  (This can be as specific as you want it to be: e.g. Internship at _, or less specific like: Academic/Private Practice Rotating Internship etc.)
4. What types of internships were you looking at (e.g. private vs academic)?  Why?
5. How are you currently feeling about your internship?
6. Did state and local laws regarding non-discrimination play any role in deciding where to apply or where to go?
7. Were you out during the application process?  Why or why not?
8. If you were not out during the application process, did you find it difficult to come out?  How did you come out?
9. Have you felt coming out has had any effect on how you are treated or how you’re able to function in clinic?
10. Are there other out veterinarians at your clinic?
11. Do you have any tips or recommendation for those currently applying?  Anything you wish you could have done?

Thank you to the interns and residents who participated!

BSVSA in The Vet Gazette

On November 9th, The Vet Gazette published Sonia Fang's response to Dr. Larry Fisher's letter in DVMNewsMagazine.  We are including it here.  See our previous post for other student reactions, and be sure to go to the link to add your comments!



Support for Discrimination and Marginalization? Not Surprising
Friday, November 9, 2012 at 06:00AM

Op Ed
Sonia Fang, Western University


On March 14, dvm360.com posted an article entitled “Minority students report strong support from veterinary schools, but racism and sexism remain, study says”.  The article provided preliminary results from the [American] Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) climate study conducted by Lisa Greenhill (Associate Executive Director for Institutional Research and Diversity at the AAVMC).  Some of the results included that one in five female veterinary students reported hearing sexist language at their school, and LGBT students reported they did not have a faculty or staff member to confide in at higher rates than those students who did not identify as LGBT.  In response to the article, DVM NewsMagazine published a letter from Dr. Larry Fisher of Topeka, Kansas.

I was disappointed and disturbed by the letter printed in DVM NewsMagazine.  On a purely factual level, the statements leveled against LGBT students are not founded in current historical analysis, and the myth that homosexuality has lead to society’s decline has been debunked repeatedly.[1]  Not to mention, even if there were civilizations for which an increase in homosexual activity coincided with a society’s purported decline, there would still be the classic issue of confusing correlation with causation, a definite and basic no-no in evidence-based research.  There isn’t evidence for homosexuality correlating with the destruction of civilizations, much less any research performed demonstrating its causation.

Regardless of the factual inaccuracies, I was taken aback because the printing of this letter was, in itself, telling of the problems that we as LGBT veterinary students face on a systemic level.  LGBT students have to contend with knowing that established veterinarians, editors of professional magazines, professors, faculty, staff, and potential employers are capable of possessing the same opinions as those that were printed.  There is not just a difference of opinion here, but a difference in the level of power and the level of outreach a student has in comparison to established veterinarians and editors of professional magazines.  As LGBT people, we know very well that “different values will always elicit different reactions.”   For example, I can be of the opinion that gay people deserve to be treated as equal members of society.  Anyone else is free to hold the opinion that gay people do not deserve to be treated as equal members of society.  The problem is that while we are both free and able to hold differing opinions, LGBT people are the ones to suffer when power dynamics are at play, and when a differing opinion becomes coded as discrimination into our institutions and the law.  For example, as of 2011, only 8 veterinary schools in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean explicitly protected students from being discriminated on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.[2]  In 29 states, veterinarians can be fired just for being LGBT.[3]  For example, in Kansas, an executive order bans employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, but only in public employment.[4]  So for employees of private veterinary clinics in Kansas, one can be fired for being LGBT and have it be completely condoned by state law.

These things have weighed heavily on my mind throughout my education, but weigh heavily especially now in my final year of school.  I would love to live and work in a world where only my qualities as a capable, competent, and caring veterinarian play into my ability to be employed, but it is apparent that there are more forces at work.  I live, day in and day out, with the understanding that I can be fired just for being who I am.  I live, day in and day out, with the knowledge that there are veterinarians out there who would gladly attribute my existence to the fall of modern-day society.  I live, day in and day out, with the uncertainty of knowing when I’ll be treated as a full member of society.  Science has shown that living with these burdens of discrimination negatively impact LGBT people, and that an environment of anti-LGBT stigma, prejudice, and discrimination results in higher rates of stress, alienation, depression, and mental health problems.[5],[6],[7],[8],[9]  In addition, research has shown that those who are not “out” experience more adverse effects than those who are.[10],[11]  

These are the very reasons that groups like the LGVMA and Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association are important, and these are the very reasons that support for LGBT students is critical.  I am disappointed and disturbed that this inaccurate and discriminatory statement was found to be fit for publication in DVM NewsMagazine, in the very face of an article referencing lack of support for LGBT students.  I am glad, however, that the response was published because it gives LGBT students and allies an idea of how much more progress needs to be made.  I am grateful that student publications like The Vet Gazette provide a platform for advancing the dialogue.

Here are some more helpful articles for debunking gay myths:
http://www.examiner.com/article/the-top-five-most-common-antigay-arguments-debunked
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/winter/10-myths
http://www.residential-life.unh.edu/diversity/15questions.pdf
http://scholar.valpo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2224&context=vulr

[1] Lesbian Resource Center, YWCA of University of Washington, Seattle.  “Beyond Tolerance: Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals on Campus.”  Accessed 12 July 2012.  < www.residential-life.unh.edu/diversity/15questions.pdf>
[2] Fang, Sonia.  “How LGBT-friendly is your veterinary school?”  Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association.  Accessed 9 Sept 2012.  < http://broadspectrumvsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-lgbt-friendly-is-your-veterinary.html> 2 July 2011.
[3] Hunt, Jerome.  2012.  “A State-by-State Examination of Nondiscrimination Laws and Policies.”  Center for American Progress Action Fund.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Hatzenbuehler ML, McLaughlin KA, Keyes KM, Hasin DS.  2010.  “The Impact of Institutional Discrimination on Psychiatric Disorders in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations: A Prospective Study.”  American Journal of Public Health 100(3): 452-459.
[6] Meyer IH.  2003.  “Prejudice, Social Stress, and Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations: Conceptual Issues and Research Evidence.”  Psychological Bulletin 129(5):674-679.
[7] King M, Semlyen J, See Tai S, Killaspy H, Osborn D, Popelyuk D, Nazareth I.  2008.  “A systematic review of mental disorder, suicide, and deliberate self harm in lesbian, gay and bisexual people.”  BMC Psychiatry 8(70).  < http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/8/70>
[8] Hatzenbuehler ML, Nolen-Hoeksema S, Dovidio J.  2009.  “How Does Stigma ‘Get Under the Skin’?” Psychological Science 20(10):1282-1289.
[9] Bogart LM, Wagner GJ, Galvan FH, Landrine H, Klein DJ, Sticklor LA.  2011.  “Perceived Discrimination and Mental Health Symptoms among Black Men with HIV.”  Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol 17(3): 295-302.
[10] Hatzenbuehler et al, 2009.
[11] Bogart et al, 2011.

For more posts by Sonia Fang, go here.

BSVSA Responds

"Support for Discrimination and Marginalization? Not Surprising."

On March 14, dvm360.com posted an article entitled “Minority students report strong support from veterinary schools, but racism and sexism remain, study says.”.  The article provided preliminary results from the Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) climate study conducted by Lisa Greenhill (Associate Executive Director for Institutional Research and Diversity at the AAVMC).  We had written about the preliminary responses here.  Some of the results included that one in five female veterinary students reported hearing sexist language at their school, and LGBT students reported they did not have a faculty or staff member to confide in at higher rates than those students who did not identify as LGBT.  In response to the article, DVM NewsMagazine published a letter from Dr. Larry Fisher of Topeka, Kansas.
 

In his letter, Dr. Fisher states:
Is support available for students surprising?

In the article “Minority students report strong support from veterinary schools, but racism and sexism remain, study says” from dvm360.com on March 14, it was mentioned that “while nearly 83 percent of veterinary students said there was a strong support system within their school, 35 percent said they did not have a faculty of [sic] staff member to confide in.  … The numbers are higher for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students.”

Putting political correctness aside, it is an axiom that a house divided cannot stand.  Different values will always elicit different reactions.  Why are we surprised that those who have different values are looked upon differently?  The group cited has never flourished in a stable society but has always been visible in its decline.  Read history.  Now we wonder why we are declining as a culture?  Folks, fundamentals work.

--Larry Fisher, DVM
Topeka, Kan.

Students involved in Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association weighed in:
 

Amanda Fischer- Cornell University Class of 2014:
My initial reaction when I saw this editorial was extreme sadness.  Not because someone was expressing this viewpoint (it would be naive to think that people don’t have and express this view), but because it was published in a veterinary magazine.  I thought that this was highly inappropriate for publication in a professional magazine.  But hopefully some good can come from this in the form of an educated discussion among colleagues in our field. 

The title and the content of the editorial are an interesting contradiction.  Clearly Dr. Fisher is not surprised by a lack of mentorship and guidance for LGBT students in the veterinary community, seeing as he feels there should be none. I do agree with him on one point, that a house divided cannot stand.  Marginalizing colleagues and veterinary students is not going to further the development and future success of our profession.  I feel that his viewpoint implies  LGBT individuals in the profession are decreasing it’s value.  This is a poor attitude to take towards our profession, considering diverse and open work environments foster better collaboration and creativity.  If we are to move forward and continue to provide innovative ideas, then we all need to be more accepting of our colleagues.

I greatly appreciate the response from Dr. Gregory B Combs that was published by DVM NewsMagazine in response to Dr. Fisher’s editorial. As disheartening as that first editorial was, Dr. Combs response made me want to get up and cheer.  I hope that more members of our community agree with Dr. Combs views and welcome all veterinary students with open arms into this great profession.  I hope that students questioning the level of acceptance and inclusion in the veterinary profession can look at the LGVMA, Broad Spectrum, and responses like Dr. Combs and feel as hopeful as I do.

Nikki Wright - University of Pennsylvania Class of 2014
I am incredibly disappointed and saddened by Dr. Fisher’s letter. Although I originally questioned the magazine’s reasoning for publishing it, I have decided that I am thankful that they did, because it forces us as a professional community to confront this issue. If I could get to Kansas I would go and visit Dr. Fisher myself. Not in anger, but in a sincere effort to expose him and educate about the LGBTQ community. My heart goes out to anyone that Dr. Fisher has directly persecuted. There is no room in our society nor in our profession for such hatred. I hope that Dr. Fisher can one day discover the beauty in a life full of loving-kindness, acceptance, and personal growth through diversity.

Arturo Otamendi- Louisiana State University Class of 2014
    I agree with most of my colleagues in that I am not surprised that there are people in society, or even in the veterinary community, that think the way Dr. Fisher does. I have been raised in a part of the country where viewpoints like Dr. Fisher’s are commonplace. Originally, I was very upset that an article with this kind of bigotry would be published in a veterinary magazine that is read by very well educated people. But then I realized that if one person is saying this, then there are a multitude of others who have very similar thoughts. This is a great opportunity for organizations such as LGVMA and Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association to speak out and support LGBT rights and to teach the community what we have to offer to make this country a better place to live.
    Breaking down what Dr. Fisher stated, there are a few things I agree and disagree with. I agree with the fact that “a house divided cannot stand” However, this is the exact opposite of what members of the LGBT community are trying to do. We believe in “inclusion” of all people. This includes race, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, gender identity, etc. We see ourselves as an integral part of society and we in no way ask to be treated differently or special in any way. We want the same rights and privileges that everyone else has. It is actually not surprising at all that different values elicit different responses. I know there are people out there who do not agree with the LGBT lifestyle, but a veterinary teaching school is no place for that type of thinking.
    As for the statement that the LGBT community has never flourished in a stable society, but has always been seen in its decline, I ask where can he show any evidence of truth behind that statement. Homosexuality has been present in all cultures and societies since before the Roman times, and nowhere is there any solid evidence that this was a cause for the decline in their culture. The LGBT community has proven to be a very important part of this country and plays a big impact on the economy. In the veterinary community, LGBT individuals see their pets as their children, and they want the best veterinary care they can receive for their family member. How can a veterinarian provide them all that they need, while at the same time feeling like they are not appreciated or even resented for who they are. Dr. Fisher is blind to the fact that society is changing, and if he does not change with it, he will be left behind.
    I am very thankful for people like Dr. Fisher, because it pushes me to be more proactive and vocal about LGBT issues and rights. I feel that if we as LGBT veterinarians and veterinary students reach out and educate the community, we will see a big change in the next couple years and the comfort levels of veterinary students and veterinarians will increase tremendously.

Here are some more helpful articles for debunking gay myths:
http://www.examiner.com/article/the-top-five-most-common-antigay-arguments-debunked
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/winter/10-myths
http://www.residential-life.unh.edu/diversity/15questions.pdf
http://scholar.valpo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2224&context=vulr

Guest Post - AVMA Convention Recap!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We are very excited to share a guest post written by Joseph Hicks, a student who attended the AVMA Convention and LGVMA National Meeting this summer. If you have any experiences or events at your school you'd like us to share email us at broadspectrumoutreach@gmail.com.

Thanks Joe for sharing this wonderful experience!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let’s start with some introductions, shall we?  I’m Joseph Hicks, a third year vet student at Texas A&M University and president of my school’s chapter of the Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association.  This summer our dean Dr. Eleanor Green was generous enough to fund my trip (along with two other A&M representatives) to San Diego to attend the AVMA Convention and the LGVMA Annual Meeting.  Let me back up though and explain a bit.

            First of all, Texas A&M has had a LGVMA chapter for a few years now.  The only problem: the organization had no members or officers.  Last spring when some of the data from the AAVMC’s Climate Survey was released, our college’s Council on Diversity and Professionalism met and discussed areas that needed improvement in our own school.  The Council’s first action after reviewing the data was to invite Dr. Mike Chaddock from the AAVMC to speak on sexual diversity in our profession.  Inspired by his talk and emboldened by our administration’s obvious support of these issues, the Texas A&M LGVMA chapter was reborn.

            When John Scroggs, Chief of Staff of our college and advisor to the organization, proposed that a couple of the officers attend the LGVMA Annual Meeting at the AVMA Convention, I immediately recognized this great opportunity.  This would be a chance to meet the leaders on a national level with whom I had been in contact when trying to get our chapter back on track.  It would be a source of inspiration for the officers and our members and a method to get ideas for what our chapter could do here at A&M. 

            So with the financial support of Dean Eleanor Green and the school administration, John Scroggs, Elise Jemmott (secretary of our new chapter) and I headed to San Diego.  After settling into our hotel rooms, we headed to our first event, the LGVMA Annual Meeting.   Here we not only covered the usual business of budgets and board members, but we also discussed current LGBT issues in our profession, new ideas to get members more involved and how to keep a group like this connected.  Dean Green, John, Elise and I all helped to describe to the veterinarians, students and technicians in the room what we were doing at Texas A&M to promote LGBT issues and diversity.  (Yes, you read that correctly.  The dean of Texas A&M’s vet school attended the LGVMA Annual Meeting.)  I left the meeting feeling energized and excited for the rest of the convention.

            Saturday and Sunday were spent in CE seminars, browsing the exhibit hall and working the LGVMA booth.  During this time we met and got to know veterinarians and vet students from across the nation.  As Sunday night was to be my last in San Diego, the LGVMA General Meeting that evening wrapped up my experience at the AVMA Convention.  Brad Sears of the Williams Institute spoke on current studies in LGBT demographics, legal issues and the community’s economic value.  I think many in attendance were surprised with some of the numbers and figures he produced.  The highlight of the night for me, though, was when Dean Eleanor Green received the LGVMA’s Achievement Award for her support of the LGBT community at Texas A&M.

As the weekend progressed, I soon became accustomed to a certain look of astonishment fellow convention-goers gave whenever any of us from Texas A&M explained our situation.  Not only had our administration offered financial support to get our LGVMA chapter started and for officers to attend the LGVMA Annual Meeting, but the Dean herself attended both LGVMA events while at the AVMA convention.  And the words these incredulous listeners always sputtered?  “And you’re from Texas?!”  Those words always filled me with pride and joy.  Yes, we’re from Texas.

Get to know the new BSVSA Leadership!

Here is a little interview we had with the new student leaders of Broad Spectrum. You already know Nikki, now meet Amanda and Arturo!

Amanda Lynnea Fischer (blue font)

Arturo Otamendi (red font)

•   BSVSA Position

VP? Treasurer! Queen of the Twitterverse

Executive Officer/Facebooker/blogger

•   School

Cornell University!

Louisiana State University

•   Undergrad

Cornell University!!

Louisiana State University

•   Other Degrees

None yet! But fingers crossed I’m taking a year off from vet school to do research full time and possibly get a masters in biomedical science (from Cornell).

B.S. in Animal Sciences, hoping to do a residency/masters program after vet school.

•   Where are you from?

Cornell University? Actually Long Island, but at this point it feels like I’m from Ithaca

Where am I not from? I was originally born in Maracay, Venezuela. Lived there for several years and then moved to San Francisco when I was 6 years old. One year later, we moved to Indianapolis, and another year after that we moved to New Orleans. I now live in Baton Rouge, LA.

•   Non-vet interests

Knitting, crocheting, sewing (all of my pants need to be hemmed and I’ve made a few things from scratch like skirts, bags, etc.) gardening (I have an organic garden plot with some other vet students where I’m growing squash, chard, and herbs), cycling, I’m also a huge fan of roller derby!

I love to play my trombone. I have been playing for 12 years and it is something I do to relieve some stress. I also dabble on the violin and the clarinet. I love watching sports and spend any free time I have on ESPN. Love to play ultimate frizbee in between studying for exams.

•   Vet Interests and Career aspirations

Wildlife a/o zoo pathology somewhere where I can use my research training. Maybe teaching someday. Maybe lab animal medicine...

I am very interested in internal medicine and hope to one day do a residency and become board certified. I also love research, more on the clinical side, and would like to continue some of the projects I have worked on during veterinary school.

•   what interests led you to be involved in your school's LGBT organization or with Broad Spectrum?

Friendship and community.  The Homophiliacs (Cornell vet’s LGBT group) were super friendly at the info fair my first year (who doesn’t find rainbow leis and Starburst inviting?).  I started hanging out with them on Friday evenings and they had fun casual events (picnics, movie nights) that really made vet school fun.  Last year I was really excited to go to my 1st SAVMA symposium and was told by upper classmen what Broad Spectrum was and that they would be having a meeting.  At that point I was an officer of the Homophiliacs and the only one of us attending SAVMA Symposium, so I felt I needed to go.  Once I met everyone I felt like I need to be involved.  I think everyone who wants a group like the Homophiliacs deserves to have that at their school too.

While at SAVMA Symposium in Purdue this past spring, I met some very awesome people (Sonia & Liam) who were so proactive in leading the way for LGBT veterinary students with their leadership in Broad Spectrum. I was in awe of the many projects they had underway and the way they reached out the community. I immediately knew I wanted to become involved in Broad Spectrum and Sonia and Liam helped show me the ropes and what I was to do. I never imagined myself being in a leadership role in an LGBT organization for veterinary students, but I could not think of anything better to devote myself to.

•   what were you most afraid of when applying to/deciding where to go to veterinary school?

I was afraid that by staying at Cornell I wouldn’t change or grow as a person.  I was really concerned that I would not branch out to meet new people and would be sad when all my friends from undergrad left and moved on.

I was more unsure, as opposed to afraid, or whether or not I should be out in vet school. I was out in undergrad, but with the size of the university, I had no worries that people would create any trouble for me. I worried that with the small classes in vet school, and the amount of hours that we would have to spend with each other, that my classmates would judge me and treat me differently because of my sexual orientation.

•   Did these fears prove to be valid? Or were you surprised by how awesome and sparkly your school experience has been so far?

That was definitely not the case.  Friends I still have in the area always wonder where I’ve disappeared to.  I think they assume I’m studying constantly.  But I became really involved in the vet school with volunteering at the wildlife health center, clubs, SCAVMA, and Omega Tau Sigma (and studying!).  I’m busy, but it’s stuff that I really want to be doing (most of the time).

I decided to be true to myself and to my classmates and not go back in the closet. It was very relieving because I never had to worry about keeping any secrets from anyone. I was very surprised at how open and accepting my classmates were. Louisiana is not known for being the most welcoming state to the LGBT community, but everyone at the veterinary school opened their arms and welcomed me for who I am. I have never had anyone use my sexual orientation in a discriminatory way and because of that I am able to live a free and open life.

•   This is the precise moment at which the reality of being a vet student, studying round-the-clock, and having no life outside of school hits our sad interviewees:

I do wish I had more non-vet student friends, partially to escape talking about vet school all the time.  Even when I find non-vet school people, I still talk about vet school.  Maybe I should learn to talk about those other interests I have...  Either way at least one afternoon a week my brain shuts down and I spend a few hours watching the X-Files.

Vet school certainly has been an intense ride so far. I feel constantly overwhelmed, and feel like I do not even have time to sleep. I miss the little things in life, like going to the movies with friends on a weekend. However, when I think about what I am doing, I realize that I am fulfilling every dream I have ever had. I know one day all the hard work, dedication, and sleepless nights will eventually pay off. I must decide to take it one day at a time and look forward to the future. I want to make a difference in the veterinary community, and I know that all of the little things that we do at BSVSA matter, even if it is just to a few people.

•   Four fun Facts about you

1. I’ve been to Honduras and Belize on school trips (in vet school). 2. I’ve ridden my mountain bike 100 miles around Cayuga lake.

3. I really like going to karaoke nights in Ithaca and singing every Maroon 5 song they have. 

4. I’m addicted to True Blood (it’s so bad, but soooo good!)

1. I was born in Venezuela, where most of my family currently lives, and am fluent in Spanish

2. I attended 10 different schools from the ages of 6-9

3. I can play the trombone, violin, clarinet, euphonium, french horn, and cello.

4. I love CATS! I am the president of the feline club at my school and have three cats of my own.

LGVMA Calendar for AVMA Convention in San Diego!!!!!

 LGVMA Annual Meeting
(open to all members, allies and friends)

... Friday, August 3
5:00-6:00 PM
Manchester Grand Hyatt
Room Ford A

AGENDA: AAVMC Student Survey discussion, LGVMA leadership and achievement awards, accept 2013 Budget, welcome new board members, group photo, Broad Spectrum and LGVMA Student Chapter discussion, 2013 Board Strategic Planning Meeting WVC, Las Vegas.

Dinner: afterwards TBA.

General Meeting sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health

Sunday, August 5
Manchester Grant Hyatt
Room Ford A

5:00-6:00 PM
“LGBT People and the Veterinary Profession: From Legal Obligation to Economic Value,” with Brad Sears of the Williams Institute.

6:00-7:00 PM
Annual LGVMA Networking Social
Light food, cash bar and networking.

EXHIBIT Hall Booth 2115

LGVMA is looking for volunteers to help staff our info-booth for 1-2 hours sessions. Please sign up at our Annual Meeting, stop by the booth or contact us at info@lgvma.org.

EXHIBIT HALL LGVMA Booth Hours
Saturday, August 4
Exhibit Hall Grand Opening 9:00-10:00AM
Exhibit Hall Hours 9:00 AM- 6:30 PM
Sunday, August 5
Exhibit Hall Hours 9:30 AM-4:00 PM
Monday, August 6
Exhibit Hall 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

We Hope to see you there representing BSVSA!

We Want YOUR Feedback!!

Check it out!! We want to hear your reactions to the verbs and value statements that you have submitted. Follow the link below to the quick two minute survey to rank your favorite verbs and value statements: http://tinyurl.com/BSVSAsurvey

We will be able to use these words to create a powerful mission statement that represents all of the members of BSVSA. An example sentence for the mission statement using your submissions could be, “Broad Spectrum looks to provide *encouragement* and foster *equality* by *connecting* and *representing* individuals.” Make sure your voice gets heard! We appreciate ALL of the awesome feedback we have been getting. Keep it up guys!

"It Gets Organized" Episode 3

It's time for the launch of the final episode from the It 


Gets Organized project! After watching the video below 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4UbFZbXnS0&feature=youtube_gdata


follow the link to submit your ideas here: 

www.tinyurl.com/populationwords

Make sure your voice is heard and that you help Broad Spectrum 


become a more unified and cohesive organization!

Summer Update!

Hello Broad Spectrum!

We are so excited to tell you about all of the exciting stuff that we have coming up. 

A few of the Broad Spectrum leadership crew met via a Google + hangout for the first time and had a little too much fun playing around with the effects feature:

Pictured: Top - Sonia Fang (Western U); Bottom Left - Nikki Wright (U Penn);

Bottom Center - Amanda Fischer (Cornell); Bottom Right - Arturo Otamendi (LSU)

We are officially transitioning leadership from our outgoing Executive Board (Sonia Fang, Liam Gilles, and Nikki Wright) to our new Executive Board. 

Give it up for your current  BSVSA Leaders, Arturo Otamendi (LSU) and Amanda Fischer (Cornell)!! They have already been doing an amazing job and we are very excited about where BSVSA is headed.

“So... what are you up to?” you ask.

Well, to start things off we talked about our finances.

●      The Lesbian Gay Veterinary Medical Association has generously donated $500 to BSVSA as seed money to help us get on our feet as a new organization! We are SO incredibly THANKFUL for their continued support and encouragement - we would not be where we are today if it weren’t for them.

●      We are working on getting a BSVSA Bank Account and partnering with a 501c3 organization to borrow their tax-exempt status while we earn our own as a well-oiled nonprofit organization. If you have a 501c3 organization and you want to fiscally sponsor us, let us know! broadspectrumoutreach@gmail.com

We then switched gears and talked about what we are DOING

●      We are still working with Lisa Greenhill and the J-team (her amazing AAVMC diversity interns -  Josh and Janelle) on their “It Gets Organized” Campaign. PLEASE check out their awesome mini videos and respond with your input on the google docs! It is really EASY, FUN, and QUICK - and you will be helping us out a lot!

○      Episode One (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6U9oEnXrew&feature=youtu.be)

                            Then click here (http://tinyurl.com/ItGetsOrganizedEpisode1) to respond

○      Episode Two (http://tinyurl.com/BSVSAepisodetwo)

                            Then click here (www.tinyurl.com/ItGetsOrganizedEpisode2) to respond

●      Nikki, Sonia, Charlie Alex (VMRCVM), and the Texas A&M gang are going to be at the AVMA Convention in San Diego August 3-8. The LGVMA will be there too - check them out in the exhibition hall and don’t miss out on the amazing lecture that they are hosting (details below), their general meeting, and a fun networking reception.  Students are always invited to their events! Last year we had a great time in St. Louis with the gang. Definitely post on the BSVSA facebook group or email broadspectrumoutreach@gmail.com to get in touch with us if you are planning on going!

○      The Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association (LGVMA), thanks to the sponsorship of Pfizer Animal Health, and UCLA’s Williams Institute, is proud to announce the seminar entitled “LGBT People and the Veterinary Profession: From Legal Obligation to Economic Value”  followed by a networking reception at this year’s AVMA Convention in San Diego on Sunday, August 5th, 2012 from 5:00 – 6:00 PM at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Exact room location to be announced.

○      For more details about LGVMA events at AVMA Convention stay tuned to: http://www.lgvma.org/cal/index.html

●      Arturo, Amanda, Charlie, and Stephen Cole (U Penn) will definitely be at SAVMA Symposium next year March 21-24 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  We hope to see you ALL there!  Arturo is already hard at work planning the diversity forum. BSVSA is planning all sorts of great events for you and LGVMA will most likely be hosting their annual evening mixer and also a LGVMA/BSVSA Leadership Breakfast!  Don’t miss out on your chance to visit the Big Easy and “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” with us. We can’t wait.

●      We are working on putting together another interview with an OUT veterinarian for you all. We know how much you guys love the interviews and we have had a lot of great feedback about Sonia’s interview with Dr. Patrick Mahaney: http://broadspectrumvsa.blogspot.com/2012/04/interview-with-dr-patrick-mahaney-vmd.html

●      We also talked about our roles within the organization. Are you itching to get involved? or Dying to start a Queer kids/BSVSA/LGVMA/whatever-you-want-to-call-it-Chapter at your Veterinary School??  LET US KNOW!!! broadspectrumoutreach@gmail.com

That’s all for now folks!! 

Hope you are all enjoying SUMMER :)

Cheers,

BSVSA