![\"Sandy](\"https:\/\/vet.purdue.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AAVMC8744-1739_sm-1024x845.jpg\")
Dr. San Miguel has implemented multiple programs aimed at\nreaching underserved students through captivating educational programs and\nmaterials that generate interest and enthusiasm for the field of veterinary\nmedicine. These initiatives include This is How We \u201cRole,\u201d an after-school\nprogram created for children in grades K-4 who are educationally disadvantaged\ndue to socioeconomic status, race, or ethnicity, with the long-term goal of\ndiversifying the veterinarian-scientist workforce. She also spearheaded\ndevelopment of Vet Up<\/a>! The National Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP)\nAcademy for Veterinary Medicine. Vet Up!\nconsists of three programs that provide opportunities and support for\nequity-minded individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter the\nveterinary profession and serve society by advancing public health, ensuring\nfood safety, or serving rural areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, Dr. San Miguel co-edited Navigating Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine, which was published in 2013 as the first book of its kind addressing the ongoing lack of the diversity in veterinary medicine \u2013 the least inclusive of all medical professions. She also partnered with the AAVMC and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to create the Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine, which offers certificate programs. Many faculty, staff, and students at veterinary schools and colleges across the country, including Purdue Veterinary Medicine, have completed the Certificates for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year, Dr. San Miguel is launching a creative new program called the League of VetaHumanz<\/a>, which aims to promote animal and public health by sharing the stories and experiences of current veterinarians.\u00a0 As part of the award presentation, the AAVMC showed a video they produced about Dr. San Miguel, in which she discusses the new program.\u00a0 Click here to view the video<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. San Miguel earned her Purdue DVM degree in 1993, and went on to complete her master\u2019s and PhD degrees at Purdue as well. Along with her administrative duties as an associate dean, Dr. San Miguel also is a faculty member in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In nominating Dr. San Miguel for the Iverson Bell Award, PVM Dean Willie Reed said that the programs she has developed \u201c\u2026 have become models for other veterinary medical schools and colleges and hold great promise for inspiring future generations of veterinary medical professionals.\u201d He added, \u201cHer professionalism and dedication to excellence is exceeded only by her genuine passion for bettering the lives of others and truly diversifying the profession of veterinary medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n