More PVM Students Earn Certificates of Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine

February 28, 2020

Dean Reed stands beside a group of students holding up their certificates
Dean Willie Reed honored seven first-year DVM students in VM 82500 at the beginning of class on February 25 for earning their Certificates of Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine: (back row, left-right) Evan Ward, Malaycia Goldsmith, Keri Anderson, and Samantha Larkin; (front row, left-right) Jenny Oberhelman, Taryn Stevens, and Elimar Ruiz Cortes.

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine is recognizing a group of DVM and veterinary nursing students who recently completed their Certificates of Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine. Developed in conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, the certificate program is offered through PVM’s Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine.

Requirements for earning the certificate include cultural competency assessments, completion of a series of online modules, community service, participation in approved activities, and submission of a capstone paper detailing how the person will use the information learned through the program to strengthen diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine. All students currently enrolled at PVM are registered for the program and are required to complete the online modules. Then they may choose to complete the rest of the requirements on their own time.

First-year DVM students finish the online modules as part of the required VM 82500 class, “Current Issues in Veterinary Medicine.” Seven of the students in the DVM Class of 2023, six students in the Veterinary Nursing Class of 2020, and a fourth-year DVM student, who is away on a study abroad experience, went the extra mile to earn their Certificates of Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine by completing the additional requirements. The first-year students in VM 82500 who completed the program were recognized individually by Dean Willie Reed at the beginning of class on February 25, when he personally presented their certificates.

Congratulations to all of the following PVM students for recently completing the Certificate of Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine program:

DVM Class of 2023:

  • Keri Anderson
  • Malaycia Goldsmith
  • Samantha Larkin
  • Jenny Oberhelman
  • Elimar Ruiz Cortes
  • Taryn Stevens
  • Evan Ward

DVM Class of 2020:

  • Danielle Miller

Veterinary Nursing Class of 2020:

  • Megan Allan
  • Marie Herring
  • Evelyn Foster
  • Sydni Mullet
  • Caitlin Obren
  • Erica Wright

Writer(s): Maya Sanaba, PVM Communications Intern, and Adrianne Fisch | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Accomplished Basic Medical Sciences Scholar Appointed as PVM Associate Dean for Research

Dr. Susan Mendrysa, professor and interim head of the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, has been selected as the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s new associate dean for research and graduate programs, effective March 1.

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we feel grateful for Anita Wolf, RVT, who is a veterinary technician in Intermediate Care in the Brunner Small Animal Hospital facility.

In Memory – Dr. Janet Weiss (PU DVM ’91)

The Purdue Veterinary community is saddened by the recent passing of Dr. Janet Weiss, an alumna who served as a dedicated veterinarian in Northwest Indiana. A resident of La Porte, Indiana, Dr. Weiss passed away February 20, 2025. She was 61.

Upcoming PVM Veterinary Nursing Symposium Features Hands-On Learning

Veterinary professionals in the field of veterinary nursing have a special opportunity to expand their expertise and earn continuing education (CE) at Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Annual Veterinary Nursing Symposium. The one day continuing education program will be held at Lynn Hall on the Purdue campus March 23, 2025.

Zebra Foal Gets Lifesaving Help at Purdue University Equine Hospital

It’s not surprising to see a foal receiving emergency care at the Purdue University Equine Hospital during foaling season. The hospital’s team of expert clinicians and veterinary nurses are used to coming to the rescue when foals need special help to survive. But it was a surprise to see a foal named Marty arrive at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit in February, because Marty is a zebra, and the hospital is in Indiana.