SAVMA Symposium 2015 Minnesota!

Hi all, 

BSVSA would like to invite to join us at SAVMA Symposium 2015 for our annual meeting on Friday 3/19/15 and then stick around enjoy some cocktails at the Zoetis Diversity Extravaganza Social Event co-hosted by VOICE and BSVSA on Friday night! We also have planned a great diversity forum on Sat 3/20/15 from 12 to 5:30!

More details to come but we would like to have a representative of each of the student clubs attend the annual meeting.

As soon as we get more information, we will sent out another email but please mark your calendars and we will see you at SAVMA.

http://savmasymposium2015.com/ 

An update from Broad Spectrum

       Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association is entering its third year as the umbrella entity for the nation’s LGBTQ student organization. First off, I would like to introduce myself your newest national co-chair. My name is Leo Holguin, a current third year student at WesternU. I will be joining Amanda Fischer, Cornell 2015, to help organize and lead BSVSA for this upcoming year. I am excited to join BSVSA and look forward to working with all the school chapters to make it a productive, successful and fun year!

      We have exciting plans for the upcoming year! We will see you at next year’s SAVMA symposium 2015 hosted by University of Minnesota. We are hoping to organize another student mixer where we can come together and enjoy the company of fellow students and allies. We are planning to have an information booth where students can ask questions and hopefully receive answer ;p We are also planning to attend the Iverson Bell Symposium 2015 where we can advocate for LGTBQ students and learn how to better meet student needs. We hope to see you there! And finally we will be invading Boston for the 2015 AVMA convention, where we will team up with the LGVMA to plan exciting events and give them support.

This past AVMA convention hosted by Denver, I was able to participate and support the efforts of our parent organization, LGVMA. I was able to meet the amazing leadership of the LGVMA Dr. Sandy Hazanow and Dr. Ken Gorczyca. I had a wonderful time helping man the LGVMA booth where I was able to talk to interested members of the veterinary community and share my experience as a gay veterinary student. I also tagged along to the “Out” night hosted by the LGVMA where we ate some delicious food at Hamburger Mary’s then danced the night away! It was so much fun and I got to meet amazing colleagues and new friends. I can’t wait for next year’s AVMA convention and the shenanigans Boston will bring!

     
If you are pre-veterinary/ veterinary technician/ veterinary or intern/ resident and would like more information about Broad Spectrum Veterinary Association? 

Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BroadSpectrumVSA
Became a member of BSVSA here: http://goo.gl/forms/scimULmjM6

Leo Holguin

BSVSA Co-Chair 

Tell Veterinarian to Remove Anti-Gay Sign

The LGVMA

It is sad to have to report that during a time of caring, love and family, we have recently heard of a member of our profession who is using his professional status to belittle the LGBTQ community. By posting divisive and inflammatory comments on his veterinary hospital sign, Dr. Joseph (Jody) Kincaid is spreading hate in his community. Unfortunately, this demonstrates how deep the enmity for the LGBTQ community is in some people's hearts. Although legal, his behavior seems professionally unethical because Dr. Kincaid uses his position as a practice owner to spread hate.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/815/496/107/tell-veterinarian-to-remove-anti-gay-sign/

The Board of the LGVMA is working on if and how to respond to this issue and we are in active discussions with the AVMA leadership and several other regional and national level organizations about this topic -- and we are getting a lot of support!   It is very interesting to read the comments of the 12,000+ supporters of the petition. The petition is to urge Dr. Kincaid to focus on helping animals at his practice instead of promoting inflammatory political views.  


We want to respond with inclusion and tolerance.  We can’t change people’s beliefs and we all have the first amendment. However, public homophobia should not be tolerated in a professional environment- such as a veterinary clinic. Please, consider supporting the petition in any way you can- forward it to like-minded friends and colleagues or perhaps you’ll write a letter to the editor. Anything you can do to show you care will help.  We appreciate each of you and will keep you posted. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or suggestions.


Want to see some of the news stories that covered the signs?
Here they are:

http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Controversial-animal-clinic-sign-upsets-LGBT-community-63640.shtml#.VJXdTf-kAA

http://www.ktsmradio.com/search/kincaid


http://www.gaynewstoday.com/texas-business-owner-puts-up-sign-saying-the-glbt-agenda-is-bad-for-towleroad/

LGVMA Leadership Award 2014

Broad Spectrum is happy to announce that we have received one of the LGVMA Leadership Awards for 2014.

The other winners include:



We'll keep everyone included on updates as we get closer to SAVMA Symposium!!

LGVMA Annual Meeting

LGVMA 2014 Annual Meeting and Events

Denver, Co at the AVMA Convention

July 25 -28, 2015

Friday, July 25^th

in Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center Mineral Hall F, Level 3

Board Meeting 3-5 PM

Annual Meeting 5-6 PM

Networking Dinner at the Corner Office Denver restaurant (1401 Curtis St.)

Saturday, July 26^th

LGVMA Info Booth (Saturday- Monday) –sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition**

Night on the Town                                          7PM

Dinner at Hamburger Mary’s (700 E 17^th Ave)7PM*

Night exploring Gay Denver                            9 PM*

Sunday, July 27^th

in Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center, Capitol 1, Level 4

“Current Update of LGBTQ Rights and Strategy”

Jeremy Pittman, Human Rights Campaign Fund

Networking Reception                                    7-9 PM

*RSVP to tstevens@morrisanimalfoundation.org for dinners and Night Out or more info

** RSVP to Kim McKee at kimcheszak@yahoo.com to volunteer to help staff the LGVMA booth and to represent LGVMA on Saturday, Sunday or Monday at the exhibit hall.

Contact us at info@lgvma.org for any questions.

LGVMA at AVMA

The 2014 AVMA Convention is taking place in Colorado this year.

Here's a quick summary of the LGVMA events taking place!

Keep on the look out for more details!

Friday, July 25th, 3-5pm

LGVMA Board Meeting

Friday, July 25th, 5-6pm

LGVMA Annual Meeting

-open to all members and allies

-meeting followed by dinner (RSVP to tstevens@morrisanimalfoundation.org)

Saturday, July 26th, TBD

LGVMA Night on the Town

-starting at Hamburger Mary's

-RSVP to tstevens@morrisanimalfoundation.org for details

Sunday, July 27th, TBD

Keynote Address, "Marketing Veterinary Services to the LGBTQ Community"

-appetizers and cocktail hour, sponsored by Zoetis

Also, if you're interested in staffing the LGVMA booth in the exhibition hall email Kim McKee (kimcheszak@yahoo.com)! They're covered for Saturday but need help on Sunday and Monday!

If you'll be in Colorado for the AVMA Convention then you should definitely attend!

Recap: SAVMA Symposium 2014

Hey Everyone!

If you attended SAVMA Symposium, I hope you enjoyed yourself!
If you didn't attend SAVMA Symposium, then I'm here to make you feel like you were there!

Colorado is far away for a lot of people so I can excuse your absence, but seriously you missed a good time out West!

Look how happy we are to be in Loveland, CO

(L to R) Arturo, Joseph, Amanda

Presentation at the BSVSA Annual Meeting

Back at the booth meeting students from all over the USA

The wonderful Diversity Forum chairs from CSU with the keynote speaker

(L to R) Shana, 

All of these were given away before the weekend was over

Enjoying the BSVSA Networking Social at the Embassy Suites

Broad Spectrum officers with the keynote speaker

Thanks CSU for hosting a great SAVMA Symposium!

We hope to see you next year at Minnesota!

Club Update: Ross Spectrum Club

We've got a great update from the Ross Spectrum club just for you!

Did you know that Ross is one of the largest AVMA accredited veterinary institutions, but has one of the smallest campuses? We had no idea!

The students as RUCVM provided us with some excellent history of St. Kitts to give students from the states an idea of what its like living in the Caribbean (the bad and the good).

"St. Kitts is traditionally a devoutly religious island founded by Christopher Columbus and first claimed by Spain in 1493 and lastly by Britain in 1783. It is extremely historic and the island demands a lot of respect for being such a historical landmark in ancient history. It has evolved from a combination of West African traditions of slave populations with additions of French and British colonist. Following its independence from England in 1983 several historic Anglican churches remain with over 50% of the population still practicing this religion. St. Kitts has a very vibrant culture with legislation still in place that criminalizes homosexuality amongst males."

RUSVM spectrum Club helps give LGBT students and allies a safer sense of community on campus.
there is no LGBT support outside of the university!

"The LGBT students of RUSVM do their research before arriving to the island and participate in a thorough orientation that lasts for more than a week. Here we all learn what our life will be like for the next two and half years. Will we hate it? Will we “suck it up” and just hide who we are? Do we never venture out into the community? Are we going to feel safe? Who can I go to for help? These and many other questions run rapidly through our head, but we soon realize that we are visitors in this country and there isn’t much we can do to change the culture of an entire country. Instead we learned that the citizens of St. Kitts are more accepting than we realized and demonstrate respect for who we are as long as we give them the respect they deserve."

RUSVM students have ties to the community and organize local events.

RUSVM Spectrum now active! Members keep up on LGBT topics in the news and use Facebook to keep in touch outside of class. They host socials to build LGBT and ally student community, LGBT friends in the local community, and studnets at other universities on the island.

holding bake sales to fund events: fly in speakers, promote veterinary experiences.

Hope to someday give back to the community as the club grows or use funds to send members to veterinary conferences and other opportunites.

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LGVMA Facebook Page

Hey Followers!

If you're familiar with Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association then you're familiar with the LGVMA. The LGVMA has added a Facebook page in addition to their Facebook group.

So please go like their new Facebook page!

We've got the link below!

http://www.facebook.com/lgvma

LGVMA Student Leadership Award Winners

The LGVMA has announced the winners of their annual Student Leadership Awards for 2013!

The LGVMA has provided these awards to students interested in participating in leadership conferences that will facilitate their participation in organized veterinary medicine and to students developing programs in line with the LGVMA's mission and vision.  The mission and vision are detailed in the original call for applications posted on this blog.

LGVMA Vision: “The LGVMA is the professional organization that fosters acceptance, inclusivity and leadership for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students, of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and their allies, through community development, professional advocacy, and personal empowerment.” 

Congratulations to  Randi E. Frankle, at the University of California, and Celena Quist, at Oklahoma State University.

Both winners plan to use their awards to create a more inclusive environment at their veterinary school. According to the LGVMA press release "both demonstrated a history of leadership on campus and had strong plans to support the betterment of animal care and human acceptance." Randi E. Frankle plans to reestablish the student chapter of the LGVMA at UC Davis and jump start the organization with lectures and networking events to help build community. We wish Randi the best developing an inclusive environment at UC Davis for LGBT members of the veterinary community at UC Davis. Celena Quist plans to establish an educational program to "create a positive, enlightening experience for non-LGBTQ college community members". This programing will include invited speakers, activities and discussions that educate individuals on the use of inclusive language and explain the importance of allies. Celena hopes these activities will help create a safe space and promote mutual understanding at Oklahoma State.

We're very happy to spread this news to other students. Congratulate these students if you know them! Don't forget that support from Hill's Pet Nutrition and Zoetis make these awards possible!

                                                

UPDATE: AAVMC LGBT Student Climate Survey

For those of you that aren't familiar with the AAVMC outside of your veterinary college applications, the AAVMC has been working hard the past few years to understand the campus climate with regards to diversity at the veterinary colleges.

How did we get to the LGBT Student Climate Survey?
In the Spring of 2011 the AAVMC launched the AAVMC-AVMA DiVersity Matters Climate Survey.  With an overall response rate of 48.1%, the survey was able to get a clearer picture of the LGBT community within the nation's veterinary colleges.  These initial findings allowed the AAVMC to narrow in on the LGBT student experience with a focused LGBT Student Experience Survey in the Fall of 2012.  The LGBT Student Experience Survey was an open answer survey, which is still being analyzed.

Impressions of the LGBT Student Climate Survey based on the webinar:



We are so thankful that the AAVMC has undertaken this task and is pushing to improve the student experience for future veterinarians across the country.

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http://www.aavmc.org/Diversity/AAVMC002DAVMA-DiVersity-Matters-Climate-Survey.aspx

http://www.aavmc.org/Diversity/DVM-LGBT-Student-Experience-Study.aspx

College Leadership: Tufts and University of Florida

Congratulations Deans!

This summer at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) meeting, the Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association (LGVMA) held their annual meeting where two leadership awards were given out.  These awards honor individuals who have supported inclusion and diversity in veterinary medicine by using their leadership position to facilitate change.

The awards were given out to Dean Kochevar, at Tufts, and Dean Lloyd, at University of Florida.

If you want more details, here is the article on the Tufts website.  Get the word out and lets celebrate some wonderful leadership in veterinary medicine!

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http://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/tufts-veterinary-school-dean-honored

LGVMA Student Leadership Awards

Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association

Applications Open for the

2013 LGVMA Veterinary Student Leadership Awards

Thanks to the generosity of Zoetis, LGVMA is proud to offer two (2) leadership grants in 2013 to veterinary students, each in an amount not to exceed $1,500 for leadership activities and/or programs that are aligned with the LGVMA’s organizational mission and vision.

Specifically, grant requests will be accepted and considered for proposals in the following areas:

1)       Veterinary medical students who seek assistance to participate in leadership development programs/conferences that will enhance their personal leadership skills and foster their active participation in organized veterinary medicine. (Eg: travel, lodging, registration for conferences, etc)

2)        Veterinary students who wish to develop and implement programs within the veterinary community that are aligned with the LGVMA mission and vision. (Eg: lecture program, fundraiser, community development, school chapter events, etc.

Mission: The LGVMA is the professional organization that fosters acceptance, inclusivity and leadership for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students, of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and their allies, through community development, professional advocacy, and personal empowerment.

Vision: Our vision is a veterinary profession in which we all live to our full potential, both personally and professionally, conduct our lives openly and with integrity, and freely share our experience and wisdom for the betterment of and care of ourselves, our profession, our clients and all animals.

APPLICATION PROCESS

 Interested individuals or groups­ should submit a 1 page proposal to admin@lgvma.org. Including:

1)       A brief personal biography

2)       An overview of your leadership grant request and how it meets our mission and vision.

3)       Brief itemized cost for this grant* and/or program** amount being requested (not to exceed $1500)

4)       An outcome statement describing short and long term goals

5)       Applicant must be a member of the LGMVA and veterinary student in a North American or similarly accredited school at the time of submission. LGVMA membership is open to everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. To become a member visit us online: www.lgvma.org

6)       Final written report post-event required for newsletter, Good News!

Application deadline: December 15, 2013.

Grant recipients to be announced by: mid-January 2014

548 Castro Street #492, San Francisco, CA 94114   www.lgvma.org   info@lgvma.org

Student Chapter Update: Georgia is Fundraising!

We're really excited to share this news from the LGVMA student chapter at University of Georgia.  I hope your schools and clubs will consider putting in some large orders.  Here's what Alex has to say about the fundraising campaign!

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My name is Alex Sigmund and I am the president of the scLGVMA at the University of Georgia. Our club is very excited to start a new fundraiser this year to raise money to support our events, our members, and other LGBT organizations in our area. We have designed a static-stick car decal to show support for marriage equality (pictured below). Individual decals will be $5.00 a piece, but a discount may be given for larger orders (order >10 decals and they're $4 a piece). They are 4in X 4in decals with a clear background (pictured as grey in image). Shipments will go out in October!

If you would like to order a decal, then please click on the link below the image. 

Order Here!

Interview: Dr. Apryl Steele

At the LGVMA retreat back in February, we were able to interview several amazing veterinarians.  We are pleased to present our interview with Dr. Apryl Steele.  

Dr. Apryl Steele the owner of an AAHA certified small animal practice in central Denver.  She is the past president of both the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association and the Animal Assistance Foundation, and she is a Director of PetAid Colorado.  Dr. Steele lives with her life partner, Kim, and her two dogs Reba and Mister.


We decided to start off with a video introduction.  

Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school (undergraduate and veterinary)? 
I was born and raised in Colorado.  I was in the veterinary corps during Desert Storm (Army), and then I completed my undergraduate work in microbiology at Colorado State University.  In 1997 I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from CSU (Go Rams).

Tell us about your job!  Did you always know you wanted to be a veterinarian, or what made you decide to pursue this career?  What made you pursue the specific field you’re in now?   
I am extremely lucky to have had a professional path that has  led me to be a practice owner.  Growing up I always wanted to be a veterinarian, and I wouldn't take no for an answer.  My family had absolutely no money to send me to college, and none of my relatives had ever graduated from college.  Yet, I never doubted that I would be a veterinarian.  I suspect much of this strong advocation for this career was that the animals in my life were the non-judgmental presences and I needed them.  While I had yet to realize that my sexual identity was different than the norm, I knew that the unconditional love that animals simply give to those who care for them was a necessary part of my life.  Being from the center of Denver, in my world animals were cats and dogs which is why I pursued small animal medicine.

From high school through graduation from veterinary school I worked as a technician assistant in a practice South of Denver.  After graduation I became an associate in that practice where I worked for two years.  Looking back, it probably would not have been a particularly accepting environment for a non-heterosexual woman, but since I had yet to figure out that I was not heterosexual I did not experience prejudice.  After two years of practice I was asked by a retiring veterinarian if I would consider buying her small holistic cat practice which she would finance for me.  This was a true gift, and although I was (and am) a traditional small animal practitioner, I took this oppportunity.  The first two years were a difficult transition as I was learning to run a practice, dealing with some very irritated clients who wanted homeopathy and soothing those who didn't want to see a dog at their veterinarian's office.  However, after a couple years the practice starting growing quickly and has become a 3.5 doctor AAHA certified small animal practice of high quality medicine in central Denver (we built a new building in 2004).

How do you identify in terms of the LGBTQ/Ally community?  How (if any) do you feel that your identity has affected your school, job, and living location choices/opportunities? 
I am a lesbian.  This realization came later in life, so it did not affect me at school.  As I noted above, I have been truly blessed because when I came to this realization I was a practice owner and in a supportive environment.  I have always desired to live in Denver which in my experience is gay friendly.  I have not allowed by sexual orientation to limit my choices, and I have been the president of both the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Association and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association.

Do you have any words of advice to students, especially in terms of involvement in LGBT extracurricular activities and being out in the application process (whether that’s for externships, internships, or jobs)? 
You are role models and I encourage you to embrace that gift and that responsibility.  By expressing yourself honestly you are breaking stereotypes for many who have not had the pleasure to meet anyone with an alternative sexual identity.  You have a supportive network where you can find encouragement and understanding.  The leaders of Broad Spectrum are outstanding and they can help you provide a framework to create an inclusive support network in your school.  If you can find the courage to be "out" as you apply for internships, externships and jobs you will set yourself up to exist in a supportive environment.  If being out keeps you from obtaining a positition, then that position is one that would have likely had a significant negative effect on your self esteem.

Did you have any memorable LGBTQ mentors? 
Ralph Johnson, the executive director of the CVMA, has been an amazing role model for me.

What are your thoughts on the current climate for the LGBTQ community (e.g. with regards to our current status, rights, struggles). 
We are making progress, and although it never seems like enough it is happening faster now than ever before in history.  We have been screaming to be heard for decades, and now people are listening.  We are at a pivotal point of defining our message because what we promote now is how our society will view us.  Our agenda as the LGBT+ community has been defined by our greatest challenges, which in the past have included the AIDS epidemic, extreme discrimination, threats to our jobs and even to our lives.  While there are places in this country where these threats still exist, change is being made in many areas.  I believe our biggest challenge now is to educate those who are finally listening, and nurture them into being true advocates of our community.

What are your thoughts on the state of acceptance of the LGBTQ population within the veterinary field?  Have you ever had any positive or negative experiences? 
I feel very accepted in the veterinary community, from my colleagues on a local level to the President of the AVMA.  When attending the House of Delegates meetings there are obviously some very conservative members still in leadership positions, but they are losing credibility.

What is your favorite non-veterinary pastime? 
My favorite non-veterinary pastime is a tie between cycling and playing poker.

What are two random facts about you  - can be anything - doesn't have to be veterinary related (in fact it’s better if it’s not)? 
 My favorite meal is Popcorn with reggiano cheese and Chardonnay.

I once drove 32 hours with only a one hour break so I could skinny dip in the ocean.  That adventure was quickly ended when I noticed the construction workers on a pier.

What is your biggest vice? What sorts of things do you work on to improve yourself professionally and personally? 
My biggest vice is trying to fix everything for everyone and forgetting that that is neither within my capability nor is it my responsibility.  I continually challenge myself with leadership positions, participate on the boards of many non-profits where I find great role models, and I make my relationship with my partner a priority in my life.

What is your strength? How has it helped you get to where you are today? 
Tenacity (some say stubbornness), willingness, courage, insightfulness and kindness are my strengths and these traits have enabled me to develop a great community of similar people.  My tenacity  and courage enabled me to say "yes" when considering purchasing my practice.  Willingness and insightfullness have allowed me to attain leadership positions in several organizations which has led to my voice being heard on a greater level.  Kindness just makes my life easier.

What would you say to someone who is homophobic? Would you say anything at all? To a veterinarian, veterinary technician or veterinary student? 
I would ask them to explain of what they are afraid.  I have yet to hear a good answer.

Have you encountered discrimination? What experiences have you had that make you feel like the veterinary LGBTQ community is becoming more or less accepted? 
When I was married it was to a black man, and I did experience discrimination when travelling to some Southern states.   If I sense an uncomfortable situation when walking with my partner I can let go of her hand and the world sees us as friends.  This was not possible in an interracial relationship.  I do feel that the LGBTQ community is becoming more accepted as evidenced by state and national statues being passes allowing civil unions and gay marriage.   While there is still an "old guard"  I do believe that the veterinary LGBTQ community is ahead of the social changes (as most educated professions tend to be).

Veterinary college dean honored for advocacy in diversity, inclusion

Aug. 22, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — James W. Lloyd, D.V.M., Ph.D., dean of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, was recently honored for his leadership in advocating for diversity and inclusion within the veterinary profession.

The Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association presented one of two 2013 Leadership Awards to Lloyd during the group’s annual meeting, held in conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association’s convention in Chicago.

Also receiving a leadership award was Deborah Kochevar, D.V.M., dean of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Both deans were recognized for their roles in advocacy for cultural competency and inclusion in the veterinary field, and for dedicating personal time and resources to help include LGBT issues in the greater discussion of diversity.

“We are so honored to have Dr. Lloyd’s expertise and insights in assisting the LGVMA in our efforts to become a stronger professional association,” said Sandy Hazanow, D.V.M., the association’s president. “By providing us with strong guidance, Dr. Lloyd helped us create a strategic plan for the future of our organization so that we may better serve our membership and community in creating a culturally inclusive profession.”

The association fosters acceptance, inclusivity and leadership for all members of the veterinary profession, whether veterinarians, technicians or students, of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The group’s efforts aid members through community development, professional advocacy and personal empowerment, according to the group’s website.

AVMA Future Leaders

Here's an interesting opportunity for recent graduates who are interested in maintaining involvement with professional veterinary associations.

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What is the AVMA Future Leaders Program?
This is a program built to provide a one-year opportunity open to those who have graduated from veterinary school within the last 15 years, to bolster their leadership and problem-solving skills related to organized veterinary medicine. This program will help to further prepare individuals who have demonstrated interest in organized veterinary medicine, to be leaders for the AVMA and other veterinary medical associations at all levels.

Who can apply?
Current AVMA members who have graduated in the last 15 years.
Preference given to individuals who actively participated in SAVMA, SCAVMA, AVMA, or VLE.

Where will it take you?
Two in-person meetings in Schaumburg, Illinois - One meeting kick-off meeting to facilitate the team's start to their project and leadership and one meeting to facilitate the team's finalization of the project.

One in-person meeting at the AVMA VLC in Chicago, Illinois - Mid program meeting for leadership development, project work and networking with organized veterinary medicine leaders.

The 2014 AVMA Convention

How will you achieve your goals?
Through the execution of one focused project impacting the veterinary profession, participation in various leadership and project management training as determined by the team and professional facilitator, and (if applicable) identification of a recommended project for the following year’s Future Leaders team.


Nominations for the 2014-2015 Future Leaders class open in January 2014

For more information go to their website!

https://www.avma.org/members/futureleaders/pages/default.aspx

The Vet Gazette Essay Winner: Nikko Poulos, University of Minnesota

     What is it like to be an LGBT veterinary student and have a family to care for at the same time?? For a little insight, here is an excellent essay written by veterinary student Nikko Poulos from University of Minnesota! It was published on the Vet Gazette and was also a recent grant winning essay for SAVMA’s yearly Cultural and Diversity Grant. Thanks for the wonderful essay Nikko! We wish you and your family all the best in the world!

It has taken me nearly 3 decades to become comfortable as a gay man. The label, “gay,” often brings people to think about the sexual history of the word. Even the term, “sexual orientation,” makes people focus on the word “SEX!” For me, becoming comfortable with being gay meant bigger things.  I always knew I wanted a family and I knew that it was going to happen with a person of the same sex (there goes that word again).  Now, at 33, I have everything I could have hoped for. I’ve been

partnered for over 10 years and in that time we’ve adopted two wonderful African American infant girls, now 3 and 5 years of age. We are a family. Surprisingly our undeniably conspicuous family has never felt conspicuous to me. We have had the luxury of living in major metropolitan areas like Chicago and Minneapolis, where there are often other families like us. Where there are people seeing, knowing and interacting with more families like us.

Beyond building a family, my life’s goal was to become a veterinarian. That became a reality last year when I started my first year of veterinary school at the University of Minnesota. The first year flew by quickly and like most first year students, my eagerness for hands on experience was a given. I’d been in the small animal field for over 10 years – as a vet tech and then as the owner of one of Chicago’s largest pet care companies, but over this time my interests in large animal grew as well. About 5 years ago we purchased 12 acres of peaceful land in Iowa. We’ve spent as many weekends as possible restoring the land and building a vacation cottage while also getting to know our little town of less than a thousand people. However, this past summer we decided to spend more time there to give meaning to the name, “summer home.”  I knew it was the perfect place to get my hands on­, and in, a cow.

A beef and dairy practice in our small town kindly allowed me to shadow several country vets throughout the summer.   On my first day I rode with a doctor where the generational gap between us was obvious. Still, in the course of making small talk and getting to know each other, I talked about my kids and partner often.   I realized by the third time I said, “partner,” that there was confusion as to what that exactly meant.  During one conversation I was surrounded by 3 dairy producers and a farm manager when the doctor confusingly said, “So who is your partner?” I stuttered and said, “Um, a guy named Mick-Dean.” The number for the next preg check was yelled and I was saved by the ovarian interruption.

That night I felt guilty about feeling ashamed to clarify what “partner” meant.  The next day I clarified what I meant and he uncomfortably replied, “Oh, I didn’t know if you meant business partner or…ummm…that thing you just said. Ya, we don’t see much of that around here.” He didn’t say any of this in a demeaning way, but like me, he too was uncomfortable. I realized that it is uncomfortable because, like most rural communities, people there do not have opportunity to see, know or interact with families like us.  Different and new can be uncomfortable. We are different and new to this community. This is not only a generational difference but also a cultural difference between rural and urban settings. Will this cause me or other gay practitioners to forgo their passions of large animal medicine because of feeling uncomfortable? I’ve determined it won’t stop me – and I hope it won’t stop others.  

This story is not to diminish the current status of the veterinary profession. In many ways veterinary medicine has proved itself pliable in the face of social change. This has been proven by the steady shift of female veterinarians entering a field that was formerly predominated by males. Still, veterinary colleges nationwide are trying to figure out how to solve for the lack of diversity in our profession.  In order for veterinary medicine to become a more diverse group of individuals, we will need to instill our youth with the power to see themselves as the next veterinarians of the future. This includes youth of all cultures and sexual orientations.

I currently engage my daughters in the love of science and veterinary medicine through my enjoyment of being a student. It makes even your electrolytes smile to have them show even a slight interest in obtaining knowledge. But as my 5 year old asks questions, she does so with no knowledge of barriers to her future. The barrier of the youth of our profession should not be an internal conflict between who they are and who they want to become.

Discrimination comes from not having personal and meaningful experiences with others that are different from you.  When you have personal interactions, you focus less on how you differ and more on how you are alike. I am slowly showing my small town community that different and new is not really that different, nor that new.  Being a gay family should not define us. Our 5 year old daughter is in love with Justin Bieber, lately my husband feels fat and my 3 year old can’t stop saying, “No!” Come to think of it, luckily we’re a gay family with two African American children or we would have nothing interesting about us. 

Jokes aside, I can’t imagine the type of courage that is needed to be the very first person in a small rural community to announce that they are gay.  The veterinarian said, “They didn’t see much of that around there.” Not seeing is not equivalent to not existing.  For now, I am hoping that by setting stake in my small community no one has to feel like they are the first ones.     

Nikko Poulos

University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine

D.V.M. Candidate, Class of 2015