About Our Organization

Mission Statement
Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association’s mission is to connect, support and empower community for LGBT+* students and allies across veterinary education.
*LGBT + will be used as an inclusive acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer,Questioning, Asexual and others who self-identify on the sexual orientation and/or gender expression continuums.

Vision Statement
Broad Spectrum desires greater support and a sense of community for all LGBT+ students and allies throughout veterinary medical education. We actively strive to counter episodes of bigotry and marginalization with positive messages of diversity and inclusion. We have healthy, supportive and encouraging relationships with pre-veterinary, veterinary and graduate students, faculty, staff and administrators. We are known for advocating for the respect and equality of seen and unseen LGBT+ members in the academic veterinary community and beyond. We contribute to the development of safe and welcoming veterinary school environments for pre- and current veterinary students. Broad Spectrum makes veterinary schools more inclusive for all students, especially LGBT+ students. We accomplish this by starting important and courageous conversations about LGBT+ inclusion, in addition to maintaining much needed support for LGBT+ students in veterinary medicine.

Our History
We were founded in 2011 at the SAVMA Symposium hosted by UC Davis. The name 'Broad Spectrum' came out of a calculated attempt to be as inclusive as possible to any student who falls anywhere on the spectra of sexuality, sex, or gender. We welcome all students no matter their sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression. And yes, allies, this means we welcome you, too!

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Sunday, March 25, 2012

2012 SAVMA Symposium RECAP!

Last week, the inaugural board members of Broad Spectrum--William Gilles (Outreach Co-Chair), Sonia Fang (Outreach Co-Chair), and Nikki Wright (LGVMA Liaison)-- finally convened at Purdue University for the 2012 SAVMA Symposium.  Though we had been working hard and had been in near-constant communication (the wonders of email, Skype, GChat, and Facebook), it was the first time we were physically in the same space at the same time...IN A  YEAR.  Excitement levels were at all-time highs! 

Friday
Friday morning and early afternoon were spent tending to the LGVMA and Broad Spectrum VSA booth.
Professional Business Occurring.  Photo: W Gilles.

We were very excited for the turn-out.  We informed people about our organization, happy hour at the Egyptian Cafe Bar, and LGVMA’s Student Scholarship.  Free skittles probably didn’t hurt either!
Spiffy Flyer!


After clocking in a day of hard work, we were able to switch into more casual attire and head to the Egyptian Cafe Bar for some LGVMA-sponsored fun!  We had an amazing time talking to students from all over the US.  

Dr. Ken Gorczyka and Nikki.  Photo: N Wright.

Amazing people.  Photo N. Wright


We stuffed ourselves on hummus and pita, fried mushrooms, and nachos.  We were even able to enjoy some hookah.   

Hoorah!  Photo: C. Parsley


Liam, looking very pensive.  Photo: C. Parsley


Making new friends!  Photo: C. Parsley

Liam and Sonia celebrating a good year.  Photo: C. Parsley

Sonia and Nikki, in awe of everyone's awesomeness.  Photo: C. Parsley


Smizing.  Smiling with the eyes.  An extraordinary talent.   Photo: C. Parsley

BFF!  Photo: C. Parsley

Broad Spectrum Leadership 2011-2012!  Sonia is in pain.  Photo: C. Parsley

What a great event!  Photo: C. Parsley


Saturday
LGVMA Leadership Breakfast
On Saturday we attended the Leadership Breakfast bright and early at 8 AM.  Dr. Ken Gorczyka, the Executive Secretary of the LGVMA, gave a very powerful and moving welcome, explaining the origin of the LGVMA and how far we’ve come.  So many people showed up.
Ken discussing the origins of the LGVMA.  Photo: N. Wright

Great Turn Out!  Photo: N. Wright

Giving Ken our Thank You Card!  Photo: N. Wright



Broad Spectrum Meeting
Then at 9 AM, the time had come...for Broad Spectrum’s first national meeting since its founding!
 Our First Birthday...http://www.our-everyday-art.com/2011/01/brainstorm-1st-birthday-party-themes.html

We reviewed our organization’s history, the impetus for our formation, and everything we’ve done this year.


HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS
In the last year, we really developed our infrastructure, web presence, and social media:
We established many resources, many of which had never been attempted prior to Broad Spectrum:
At the meeting, we established that students would love to have access to a list of speakers and a way to share event ideas across schools.  We established a need to work with Lisa Greenhill, the Associate Executive Director for Institutional Research and Diversity at the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, to better formulate our organization’s mission and long-term strategy.

Congratulations to our new leadership!
Broad Spectrum VSA 2012-2013
Arturo Otamendi (LSU)
Amanda Lynnea Fischer (Cornell)
Charlie Alex (VMRCVM)
Stephen Cole (Penn)
Caitlin Parsley (Auburn)


The 2011-2012 Leadership would like to thank
The LGVMA for being a tireless advocate of our organization, allowing Broad Spectrum to be visible, showcasing our writing in Good News, sponsoring so many of our events and sharing space at the booth, amongst an ever-growing list of things!
Dr. Ken Gorczyka for being such a great contact, consistently informing us of new events, potential interviewees, and leadership/scholarship opportunities.
Dr. Sandra Amass (Professor, Veterinary Clinical Sciences &
Associate Dean for Engagement Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine) for making Broad Spectrum visible at Purdue University, for being so supportive of our organization and our students. 
Tony Wynn (Operations Manager of AAVMC/VMCAS) for being so supportive and offering to help with our website.
Maggie Placer '14 for helping coordinate our events at Symposium
Purdue University for hosting an amazing and unforgettable Symposium
Lisa Greenhill for offering her expertise to make us a sustainable organization.


This has been such an amazing experience.  Thank you. 
Sonia Fang (Broad Spectrum Outreach Co-Chair 2011-2012)
William Gilles (Broad Spectrum Outreach Co-Chair 2011-2012)
Nikki Wright (Broad Spectrum LGVMA Liaison 2011-2012)
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