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

Purdue Basic Medical Sciences faculty member honored with Showalter Early Career Award

Purdue University has named a dozen faculty members as recipients of the 2026 Showalter Early Career Awards, including Pradip Bajgain, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences. The 12 early career faculty members received the research support for their innovative projects that address pressing challenges in human health.

Purdue veterinary technology student named as one of 20 Tuition for Vet Techs Scholarship recipients

As part of the celebration of National Veterinary Technician Week, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) and Boehringer Ingelheim announced the names of 20 veterinary technician students and recent graduates who have been awarded $2,500 each in tuition assistance. One of the recipients is third-year Purdue veterinary technology student Naailah Lane.

Thank you Veterinary Technicians!

Veterinary technicians and technologists and veterinary technology students are visible every day in and around the College of Veterinary Medicine, including in Lynn Hall, the Brunner Purdue Veterinary Hospital Complex, and Caesars Entertainment Equine Specialty Hospital. Last week, these individuals were appropriately celebrated as essential members of the veterinary medical team as the college hosted several events in honor of National Veterinary Technician Week, which was observed this year October 18-24.

Proclamation designates November 3, 2026 as Indiana One Health Day

As a result of an effort spearheaded by the National Association of Federal Veterinarians, at least a dozen states, including Indiana, are recognizing November 3 as One Health Day. Governor Mike Braun issued a proclamation to that effect for Indiana, contributing to a growing national movement to advance collaboration among health professionals, veterinarians, agricultural and environmental scientists, policymakers, and communities.

“Paws Up” for Dr. Myles McAtee and Holly Aschliman, RVT – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we are pleased to give a heart-felt Paws Up to Dr. Myles McAtee, a first-year oncology resident, and Holly Aschliman, RVT, a veterinary technician in Medical Oncology.