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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine. Edition No. 1

  • Book

  • 336 Pages
  • February 2025
  • John Wiley and Sons Ltd
  • ID: 5998199
An insightful discussion of DEI and its application to a wide variety of real-world veterinary settings

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine takes a broad approach to the concept of DEI, delivering a practical discussion of effective strategies for applying diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices within the veterinary setting. Written by a diverse set of voices, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of DEI as it relates to veterinary medicine. Arranged from A to Z, the 26 chapters discuss important concepts in DEI, with actionable advice for how to incorporate DEI into the practice of veterinary medicine.

The chapters define the concepts, explain why each concept is important to veterinary medicine, and give practical examples of how to apply the concepts in the real world. Each chapter stands on its own and can be approached individually but taken together these chapters expand the boundaries of DEI into topics that are both familiar and novel.

Readers will also find: - A thorough introduction to the concept of access to care and one health medicine through the lens of DEI - Comprehensive explorations of equity, intersectionality, justice, representation, and other central DEI concepts that impact the veterinary profession’s ability to benefit society - Practical discussions of how unconscious bias and cultural competency impact both client and team interactions impacting patient care - In-depth examinations of specific community engagement, including First Nation, queer, and neurodiverse communities

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine is an invaluable resource for practicing veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary practice managers, other veterinary professionals, veterinary students, veterinary technician students, and anyone involved with animal health.

Table of Contents

List of Contributors xix

Preface xxi

Chapter A Access to Veterinary Care: A Gateway to Family Health and Social Equity 1
Michael J. Blackwell

Introduction 1

Access to Veterinary Care: A Family and Community Affair 3

Social Responsibility of Healthcare Professions 5

Action Steps: Building a One Health Interprofessional System 8

Summary 10

References 11

Chapter B Belonging: “Finding Home: Navigating the Landscape of Belonging” 13
Sandra Dawkins Sue Knoblaugh and Rustin Moore

What is Belonging? 14

The Power of Belonging 16

How Do We Create a Sense of Belonging in the Workplace -and within the Veterinary Workplace? 16

Unconscious Bias 17

Hiring Practices 18

Transparent and Fair Processes 18

Onboarding Practices 18

Communication and Feedback 19

Employee Resource Groups and Affinity Networks 19

Creating Safe and Inclusive Workplaces 20

Example: Reimagining the Visual Representation of Our Past Present and Future 20

References 21

Additional Resources 22

chapter c Cultural Competence and Cultural Humility in Veterinary Medicine 23
Zenithson Ng and Adesola Odunayo

Introduction 23

Cultural Competence 24

Cultural Humility 24

Shift to Embracing Cultural Humility 25

Application of Cultural Humility in Clinical Veterinary Practice 26

Application of Cultural Humility in the Workplace 30

Conclusions 32

References 33

Chapter D Diversity 35
Cristina Risco and Carlos A. Risco

Introduction 35

Diversity Defined 36

So What? Why Does Diversity Matter in Veterinary Medicine and Society at Large? 36

Now What? How Do We Engage With an Increasingly Diverse Clientele and Clinical Workforce in the Interest of Improved Animal Care? 37

Cultural Humility through Critical Consciousness 37

Summary 40

References 40

Chapter E Emotional Intelligence 41
Joelle A. Murchison

What is Emotional Intelligence? 41

Signs of Emotional Intelligence 42

Impact of Emotional Intelligence 42

The Four Es 43

Exposure 44

Experience 44

Education 44

Empathy 45

Managing Interactions 45

Pause 45

Empathize and Ask 45

Enhancing Your EI Capability 46

Working in a Diverse and Inclusive Society 47

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic 48

Making the Connection Between EI and Diversity 49

Affirmative Introspection 49

Self- Governance 49

Intercultural Literacy 50

Social Architecting 50

The Responsibility in Veterinary Medicine 50

AVMA Policy on Diversity and Inclusion 50

Emotional Intelligence and Leadership 51

Protecting Your Emotional State While Engaging in Patient Care 51

Summary 53

References 53

Chapter F First Nations 55
Evelyn Galban

First Nations 55

Terminology 56

How to Refer to Native American People 56

Identity and Recognition 57

Blood Quantum 57

Certificate Degree of Indian Blood 58

Tribal Enrollment 58

Natives in Education 58

Natives in Medicine 58

Indigenous Knowledge in Veterinary Education 59

Access to Care 60

Embedded Educational Initiatives 61

Native American Veterinary Association (NAVA) and Other Allyship Examples 61

Inclusivity of Native American People in Veterinary Medicine 61

Orange Shirt Day 62

Indigenous Peoples’ Day 62

National Native American Heritage Month 62

Making Your Physical Space Inviting 62

Understanding Diverse Cultural Norms 63

Cultural Sensitivity in Consultation and Collaboration 63

Representation and Visibility 63

Scenario: Event Planning and Land Acknowledgment Requests 64

Better Request Using Knowledge and Understanding 64

Best Response with Cultural Sensitivity and Engagement 65

Conclusion 65

References 65

Chapter G Gender 67
Erika Lin- Hendel

Introduction 67

Content Warning 69

Resources 69

Gender What it is and What it isn’t 69

Situation: The Veterinary Field Must Actively Support Reproductive Healthcare 73

Scenario: Institutional Hierarchy Creates Opportunities for Abuse 74

Scenario: Modeling Consent Invitation and Communication-Based Culture With Nongendered Assumptions Can Be Powerful Beyond the Immediate Situation 75

Dedication 76

Acknowledgments 76

References 76

Chapter H Historically Black Colleges and Universities 81
Ruby Perry and Olga Bolden- Tiller

Introduction 81

Impact of the HBCU 82

Schools and Colleges of Veterinary Medicine: The Origin Story of Land- Grant Institutions (LGIs) 82

African Americans in Veterinary Medicine 84

Leveraging Partnerships to Develop a More Diverse and Inclusive Veterinary Profession 88

References 90

Chapter I Intersectionality 93
Briana D. Jones

First a Walk in My Shoes 93

What Defines Intersectionality? 94

Why is Intersectionality Important in Veterinary Medicine? 96

Applying Intersectionality in Veterinary Establishments and Institutions 99

References 101

Chapter J Justice 103
Iran Brown

Introduction 103

Justice and the Wage Gap 104

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act 105

The Wage Gap in Professional Tennis 106

The Wage Gap in Professional Soccer 107

Federal Law and the Wage Gap 108

The Wage Gap and Individual Practices 109

The Wage Gap and Clinical Scenarios 110

References 113

Chapter K Kindness 115
Mia Cary

Why Kindness? 115

Kindness Defined 116

Kindness Impact 117

Improved Self- Evaluations 117

Improved Well- being 117

Increased Self- Esteem and Fulfillment 118

Cultivating Kindness - The How 119

Kindness Toolkit 120

The Time Is Now 122

Summary and Next Steps 123

References 123

Chapter L Listen 125
Kemba L. Marshall

Introduction 125

What They Didn’t Teach in Veterinary School 125

Turns Out It Is Not Just Me 126

Controlling What I Can Control 127

My Prep Work Before the Classroom Listening Assignment 129

The Classroom Listening Assignment Begins 130

What Are Your Beliefs? 130

What Are Your Customs? 131

What Are Your Traditions? 131

What Is Your Life Like? 132

How Are You Treated in This Country? 133

What Franklin Taught Me 133

Lessons Learned 134

Final Thoughts 135

References 135

Chapter M Multiculturalism 137
Odette Doest

What’s Culture Got to Do With Veterinary Medicine? 137

Language and Other Cultural Expressions 138

A Brief Review of Cultural Literature from Human Medicine 141

Practical Cultural Veterinary Realities 142

A Royal Bon Voyage 144

Putting It All Together in Practice 145

References 145

Chapter N Neurodiversity 147
Rob Best

Introduction 147

Neuro- What- Isity? 148

Neurodiversity in the Workplace 151

“Best” Practices 153

Recruiting and Interviewing 153

Bonus Tips 154

Neuroinclusive Culture 155

The Future 159

Conclusion 160

References 161

Chapter O Veterinary Medicine and One Health 163
Sharon L. Deem

What is One Health? 163

Historical Perspective of One Health 164

Present Momentum 165

Veterinarians and Veterinary Profession as One Health Practitioners 166

Personal Examples of Veterinary Medicine in One Health 167

Bringing One Health and Deai to Your Practice 168

Conclusion 168

References 169

Chapter P Psychological Safety 171
Elizabeth Strand and Chesney Ward

Introduction 171

What is Psychological Safety? 171

Medical Settings 173

Power Dynamics 174

Team Conflict 176

Mental Health Well- Being and Burnout 176

Case Example 177

Conclusion 178

References 179

Chapter Q Queer 181
Ewan Wolff Melody Martínez and Dane Whitaker

Introduction (What?) 181

LGBTQ+ History in Veterinary Medicine 182

Demographics/Facts/Stats 184

What Does It Mean to Be Queer in Veterinary Medicine? (Now What?) 186

Scenarios 187

Homophobia Scenario Supervisor 187

Transphobia Scenario Transition 187

Definitions and a Clinical Ace/Aro Scenario 188

Transphobia Scenario 188

Intersex Discrimination Scenario 189

Discussion (So What Now?) 189

Conclusion 190

Acknowledgments 191

References 191

Chapter R Representation 193
Indya Woods

Representation 193

Five Practices that Create a More Inclusive Workplace 196

Increased Diversity and Inclusion at the Executive Level 196

Examine Your Practice and Commit to Change 196

Define Your Diversity Priorities Based on What Drives Your Growth 196

Target Your Diversity Efforts to Local Circumstances 196

Advocate For Diversity Within The Veterinary Profession 197

References 199

Chapter S Systemic 201
Ashlee Canty and Allen Cannedy

Introduction 201

Systemic Applications in Veterinary Medicine 203

Veterinary Recruitment 203

Veterinary Admission 204

Veterinary Retention 206

Veterinary Financial Support 207

Systemic Issues in Veterinary Private Practice 208

Summary 211

References 212

Chapter T Tokenism 215
Michael Bailey

Introduction 215

Introduction: What Is Tokenism? 215

Why Diversify a Homogeneous Organization? 216

Tokenism Exploits Employees 217

Tokenism in Patient Engagement 218

The Toll of Tokenization in Medical Residencies 218

Tokenism Breeds Imposter Syndrome 220

Tokenism Cements Stereotypical Views 222

How the Tokenized Are Set Up to Fail 222

Adverse Effects of Tokenism Personal and Organization 223

How to Avoid Tokenism 223

Ways to Begin Mitigating Tokenism 224

Conclusion 225

References 226

Chapter U Unconscious Bias 229
Harold Davis and Theresa L. Cosper- Roberts

Introduction 229

What is Unconscious Bias? 229

So What? Why is Unconscious Bias Important to Veterinary Medicine? 230

Unconscious Bias Has Ramifications on Clinical Decision- Making Process/Patient Care 231

Unconscious Bias Has Ramifications on Admission to Veterinary Schools and Colleges 231

Unconscious Bias Has Ramifications in the Workplace 232

Now What? Identifying and Understanding Unconscious Bias in Our World 232

Bias in Clinical Decision- Making and Patient Care 232

Practically Speaking How Do We Combat Biases? 233

Practically Speaking How Do We Combat Biases? 234

Now What? Addressing Bias in Veterinary School Admissions Processes 234

Fictional Veterinary Academic Setting Scenario 234

Now What? Addressing Unconscious Bias in the Workplace 236

Workplace Bias Scenario 1 236

Workplace Bias Scenario 2 238

Bias in an Veterinary Technology Educational Setting Scenario 239

Now What? Mitigating Your Own Unconscious Bias 240

Understanding Your Own Unconscious Bias 240

Acting Like a Camera to Differentiate Observation from Interpretation 240

Reflecting on How Bias Affect Us 241

Recognize People That Shape Who We Are 242

Recognize Sources That Perpetuate Bias 242

Expanding Your Community and Perspective to Disrupt Bias 243

Understanding the Impact of Unconscious Bias on Our Lives 243

References 244

Chapter V Values 245
James Pritchett

Introduction to Values 245

Values in Action 245

Values Correlated to DEI 247

Building Trust in Order to Center Values 248

Including as an Action That Builds Trust 248

Catalyzing Change to (Re)Center Values 249

Appreciation as the Mechanism for Sustaining and Scaling 251

How Might You Create a Thoughtful Appreciation Strategy? 251

References 252

Chapter W Welcoming 253
Monica Dixon Perry

The Receptionist/Customer Service Representative (CSR) Team 255

The Technical Team 256

The Associate Veterinarian Team 258

Practical Tips to Create a More Welcoming Experience 261

Reference 263

Chapter X Xenacious 265
Tierra Price

Introduction 265

Defining Xenacious 267

Why is Veterinary Medicine in Need of Change? 268

The Evolution of Veterinary Medicine 268

How Do You Know When to Make a Change? 269

Being Xenacious in Vet Med 270

Scenario #1 270

Scenario #2 272

The Response 272

A Better Response 273

An Even Better Response 273

Conclusion 273

References 273

Chapter Y You 275
Kemba L. Marshall

Introduction 275

The State of Vet Med 276

Leadership is a Choice Not a Title 277

Understanding the Dynamics of Conflict 278

Managing Conflict 280

What Can You Do Now? 282

Conclusion 283

References 284

Chapter Z Zero- Sum Game 285
Kemba L. Marshall

Introduction - “Somebody’s Gotta Win; Somebody’s Gotta Lose” 285

Implications of Zero- Sum Game Bias 287

The State of Veterinary Medicine 289

Mitigating Zero- Sum Bias 291

Similarity 291

Expedience 291

Experience 292

Distance 292

Safety 293

Conclusion 293

References 293

Afterword 295

Index 299

Authors

Kemba Marshall Purina Animal Nutrition, St. Louis, MO, USA.