PVM VOICE Chapter named National Chapter of The Year

March 2, 2018

The Executive Board of the Purdue VOICE Chapter poses for a photo with Dr. Kenita Rodgers, executive associate dean at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, who was a guest speaker during Inclusive Excellence Week hosted by VOICE January 15-18.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s chapter of Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment (VOICE) has been selected as the recipient of the VOICE National Chapter of the Year Award for 2017-2018. As a reward, the chapter’s nomination paragraph and selected photos will be featured on the VOICE national website and within the national newsletter. Purdue VOICE also will be honored during the VOICE national meeting on March 17, 2018, at the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) Symposium.

Throughout the past year, VOICE has hosted various events related to its mission of increasing awareness, respect, and sensitivity to differences among all individuals and communities in the field of veterinary medicine. In the fall, the chapter partnered with Purdue’s LGBTQ Center to make dog and cat toys to be donated to the Almost Home Humane Society and assisted with “Boo at the Zoo” in the Greater Lafayette area. In addition to their volunteer efforts, the chapter also raised $2,000 alongside SAVMA in just two days in support of Hurricane Maria recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.

Chapter President Morgan Fortune, of the DVM Class of 2019, commented, “Purdue’s VOICE Chapter is very proud to represent the national VOICE organization and PVM well and to bring exciting educational content regarding diversity and inclusion. This truly has been a group effort that could not have been done without the executive board, our wonderful advisors, and our supportive PVM family. We will continue to strive for excellence and to positively represent our veterinary profession!”

Congratulations, VOICE, on your exciting accomplishment!

Writer(s): By Helen Thimlar, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

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