AAVMC Reaffirms Principles of Diversity and Inclusion

The AAVMC is committed to embodying and advocating for our core values:  Integrity, Service, Diversity, Inclusion and Excellence. We embrace the fundamental virtue and strength of diversity in every dimension and we affirm the dignity and equity of all people.

Recent events have once again reminded us of the wide range of lived experiences of members of our global community. We note the disproportionate way that the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting communities of color and we acknowledge how recent reports of maltreatment and violence toward minorities prompt feelings of fear, anxiety, and grief, especially when considering the long and persistent history of these events.

The wellbeing of our entire community is vital.  We encourage our Member Institutions to consider the factors that impact minorities and people of color differently when developing or offering wellbeing support for members of their communities. We encourage everyone in the academic veterinary medical community to embrace the values of diversity and inclusion. This is a time when we need mutual support, consideration and, perhaps most of all, grace.

The AAVMC Principles of Inclusion state:

We affirm the value of human diversity for the enrichment of the community and believe diversity fosters a climate conducive to success for all members of the veterinary medical education community.

We confront and reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including those based on race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious beliefs, political beliefs, geographic, socioeconomic, and educational background or any other differences that have led to misunderstanding, hostility and injustice.

We encourage awareness of the differences in communication, learning, information processing, conceptualizing and the need for educational innovation to enable all to achieve academic success.