16 Sep Journey for Teams Unveiled

A comprehensive and sustained initiative to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the veterinary profession was announced on July 30, 2022, in Philadelphia by AVMA and VMAE. The program builds upon the original Journey program developed by VMAE designed for VMA executives and elected leaders. The new Journey for Teams is designed for veterinary professionals and workplaces of all kinds and will engage veterinary professionals to increase their knowledge of DEI principles and foster individual and team behaviors that help advance a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.

“We want to mobilize the entire veterinary profession,” said Dr. Randy Wheeler, President of VMAE, at the announcement event. “A profession that better reflects the demographics of the nation will benefit clients, patients, communities, and the workplaces themselves.” To support the initiative, Journey for Teams will be releasing an array of tools and resources this fall that include:

• The initiative’s website, which serves as the pathway for any veterinary professional to access the complimentary resources;
• The Reasons video, in which veterinary professionals share perspectives on the benefits of advancing DEI;
• A Welcome webinar that acquaints veterinary teams with Journey for Teams resources and learning opportunities;
• A series of 30 educational modules designed for busy veterinary workplaces – 15-minute experiences, delivered once per month, to provide teams with topical content and a process to guide discussion and action planning; and
• A Navigator’s Handbook to support a volunteer member of the team in coordinating delivery of the educational modules to the team.

We will share the launch date with you in a separate communication soon. Once the initial assets are available this fall, VMAE members will be provided with digital assets for use in building awareness for the initiative and promoting utilization of the resources.