About the Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition | DVMC

A Greater
Purpose

that Drives Us

Creating Meaningful Change Together

The Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition was established in 2020 to help meet the needs of members of the BIPOC community and other underrepresented groups who are interested in a veterinary medical education. The goal is to bolster them at each step in their educational journey – from youth to adulthood.

Compassion

The DVMC was created to provide DEIB opportunities in veterinary medicine. We empathize with those who feel excluded from the veterinary community. We must act.

Accountability

Veterinary medicine has been stagnant for too long. We know that we have a responsibility to our colleagues to help catalyze true change that lasts.

inclusion

All people deserve to feel like they belong at every step of their journey. Our mission is to create an environment that is safe, welcoming and presents opportunities for everyone to thrive and succeed.

Ready to Take Action

The DVMC knows that to catalyze lasting change, we must have clearly defined goals and commitments that are focused and agile to adjust to the changing needs of students, veterinary medicine, and society as a whole. By creating more equitable opportunities, we will help grow and diversify the talent pipeline to meet the increasing demand for veterinary care.

Commitment

We will educate BIPOC students on different veterinary careers, creating more accessible pathways.
We will encourage animal health industry leaders to implement best practices for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Goal

More BIPOC students will choose to pursue veterinary education and training.
Animals receive quality care and pet owners better service through a diverse and inclusive community of veterinary professionals.

A United Founding Coalition

We are leaders in the animal health industry who are driving the charge together for a stronger,
more diverse future.

Meet the Board

Join Us in the Movement

Jennifer Ogeer,
BSc., DVM, MSc., MBA, MA

VP Medical Affairs & Commercial Marketing, Antech

As a young girl growing up in the Caribbean, I had always dreamt of becoming a veterinarian. As early as I can remember, I would try to save every sick or injured stray dog and cat I found living on the streets. My mother and elder sister are both life-long caregivers and nurturers, having spent more than 30 years themselves in the medical profession as registered nurses and midwives.

My dedication, hard work and determination were recognized when I received a scholarship more than 25 years ago to study veterinary medicine. I attended the Ontario Veterinary College in Canada and was extremely happy that I could pursue my passion to help animals and serve my communities. There were very few BIPOC students in the veterinary program then – and even less during my internship, residency, and graduate program in critical care. I was blessed to have wonderful, open-minded friends and influential mentors, who always encouraged me to express my individuality and be proud of the contribution I was making to the profession.

For over a decade in academia as a Professor in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, and now in my current role as Vice President of Medical Affairs at Antech, I’ve aimed to be a pillar of strength and support to other BIPOC pre-veterinary and veterinary students. It has been both personally and professionally rewarding to represent a positive, resilient role model for students and junior colleagues while helping them overcome obstacles as they also follow their dreams and succeed.

Through my own journey in veterinary medicine, I understand that people long for that culture of safety and belonging, particularly in the BIPOC community. You must recognize that you’re going in with a higher purpose – and that purpose doesn’t sway based on your race, gender, financial status or ethnic background. My passion for helping animals, inner strength and gracious people along the way have carried me through this journey. I have had many phenomenal mentors that didn’t see me as a woman with a different complexion. Just like me, they cared about helping animals – and people, too. That transcends all boundaries. Looking forward, how do we build a community around us that goes beyond color, gender, race or even economic barriers? That’s the goal of the DVMC – and I’m thrilled to be part of it.

Courtney Campbell, DVM, DACVS-SA

Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeon Host and Producer of Vet Candy on Watch

I have always enjoyed a challenge. My passion for animal science combined with pre-veterinary curriculum rigor lured me toward a professional career in animal health. However, I noticed that along my career path that role models, mentors or professional symbols that resembled me were noticeably absent. My observation became even more apparent when I realized that I had not met another Black veterinarian until I started vet school at Tuskegee University, a renowned HBCU (Historically Black College and University).

Being the standout amid an environment of high cultural homogeneity can be isolating especially within a profession where bonds, networking and professional connections can be paramount. In the face of this disproportionate reality, I found that I was constantly focused on social maneuvering to avoid feeling “otherized.” From the way that I spoke to the music that I listened to in the veterinary hospital to my hairstyle, my goal was to culturally intermix – or assimilate – with my colleagues. I relied on code-switching so that I didn’t feel like a foreigner in a profession to which I have dedicated my life. 

At times, feeling like an outsider can be shockingly surreal. After a busy day of consultations and surgeries, I scrambled to leave the hospital so that I could attend a local veterinary chapter meeting that I had been looking forward to. I remember arriving at the meeting wearing identical attire to my other colleagues. They often wore plaid shirts and khaki pants. When my colleagues entered the building’s foyer to sign in to the meeting, they were greeted with a collegial, ‘Hello and welcome to the meeting.’ I, on the other hand, was immediately regarded as one of the catering staff. Just before I could completely sign my name and collect a swag bag, the liaison for the company leaned in toward me and said, “Make sure you look to the side when you bring the bread out. I will be sitting to the left and you may not see me.” I paused for a few moments to comprehend fully what she said and what was happening at that moment. I replied amiably, “Hi. I’m Dr. Campbell, nice to meet you.” To her credit, she immediately apologized as I watched her cheeks grow crimson with embarrassment. I have the utmost respect and admiration for the hard-working folks in the catering industry, but that incident and similar scenarios have occurred throughout my professional journey. It reinforces a sentiment that many in the BIPOC community have felt while navigating the veterinary space: ‘you aren’t one of us.’ 

Unfortunately, it is commonplace for BIPOC veterinary students and veterinarians to feel a lack of belonging and connection to their profession. It doesn’t have to be this way. The DVMC aims to meet the needs of the BIPOC community and inspire change throughout the industry.  My goal for the DVMC is to feed the appetite and imagination of underrepresented boys and girls who want to be veterinarians. Representation is the universal language of our imagination. We look at people that came before us and say, ‘I can do that.’

I love being a veterinarian – and I want to inspire more people to be interested in veterinary medicine through activism, mentorship, and financial support.