PrideVMC Annual Impact Report – 2021

The mission of PrideVMC is to create a better world for the LGBTQ+ veterinary community. The purpose of our annual report is to inform our membership of progress against our strategic priorities.

An empowered LGBTQ+ veterinary community that embraces wellbeing by being their authentic selves.

2021 was another growth year for PrideVMC.  In spite of the continuing impacts due to the coronavirus pandemic, and thanks to our engaged working group members, we were able to move forward important initiatives including the launch of the Gender Identity Bill of Rights (GIBOR) and the PrideVMC Speaker’s Bureau.  2021 was the first year that our five working groups as well as the Pride Student Veterinary Medical Community (PrideSVMC) created business plans with accompanying budgets that informed our overall business plans and budgeting process.  Other highlights included the annual organizational DEI assessment and subsequent action plan creation and a record number of educational and networking offerings and publications.  We are happy to report that all of our 2021 success metric targets were achieved, and we continued our partnership with the mentoring program, Pawsibilities.  One area of growth is to better understand how to optimally support our student-led arm, the Pride Student Veterinary Medical Community, without diminishing their authority and autonomy.

SP 1: Education and advocacy for LGBTQ+ diversity, equity, and inclusion through the lens of antiracism and intersectionality.

SP 2: Student empowerment through leadership development and mentorship.

SP 3: Member recruitment, engagement, and outreach.

Strategic partnerships.

Diamond Partners: Boehringer Ingelheim, Zoetis

Gold Partners: Banfield, BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital, Covetrus, Ethos Veterinary Health, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Merck Animal Health, NVA, VCA, VEG

Silver Partners: Nationwide Pet Insurance, Simply Done Tech Solutions

Sapphire Partner: Relief Rover, The Social DVM

President – Dr. Dane Whitaker (he, him, his)

Immediate Past-President – Dr. Sandy Hazanow (she, her, hers)

President – Elect Dr. Abby McElroy (she, her, hers)

Treasurer – Erin Spencer, M.ED, CVT, VTS (she, her, hers)

CEO – Dr. Mia Cary (she, her, hers)

Industry Liaison – Dr. Omar Farías (he, him, his)

Student Liaison – Rachel Defour (she, her, hers)

PrideSVMC Advisor – Dr. Morgan Miller (she, her, hers)

Director-at-large – Dr. Deborah Kochevar (she, her, hers)

Director-at-large – Dr. Russ Drury (he, him, his)

SP 1 Target: 100 new Brave Space Certificate Program competitions by 12.31.2021.

Result:  Achieved.  368 completions as of 12.13.2021.

SP 1 Target: Launch PrideVMC Speakers Bureau plan and process by end of Q1 2021.

Result:  Achieved via pivot.  The PrideVMC Speaker’s Bureau was launched in Q2, 2021.  The Education & Events Working Group continues to build out processes associated with the speakers bureau.

SP 1 Target: Host at least 1 PrideVMC educational event each quarter in 2021.

Result:  Achieved.   This target was surpassed with an average of 8 events per quarter.

SP 1 Target: Implement the DEI working group 2021 plan of action.

Result:   Achieved. Elements of the DEI WG plan of action included monthly WG meetings, participation in monthly meetings with all veterinary medicine affinity organizations (Vet Med Interconnected, VMI), amplification of antiracist and anti-base social media posts at least once per month, member survey updated to include DEI accessibility and topical questions, all surveys and Neon (CRM) updated to include revised demographic questions, open call process for future BOD positions established and will be utilized for 2022 elections, annual assessment of DEI progress, DEI WG members and board members completed Brave Space Certificate Program and all members were encouraged to also complete.

SP 2 Target: PrideVMC and PrideSVMC leadership 1on1 contact including initial outreach prior to 1.31.2021.

Result:   Achieved.  All PrideVMC board members attempted contact with their PrideSVMC counterparts with the majority ending in at least one virtual conversation.

SP 2 Target: Mentoring program Pawsibilities monitored throughout the year by the Mentoring working group with a “keep or move on”  recommendation made by the WG to the board of directors by 11.1.2021.

Result:   Achieved.  The mentoring WG recommended to continue with Pawsiblities.  Dr. Russ Drury serves on the advisory board and Dr. Bonnie Price serves on the Pawsibilities Board of Directors.

SP 3 Target: Increase number of paid members by 5% which is at least 341 active members by 12.31.2021

Result:  Achieved.  We ended 2020 with 342  paid members which is a 5% increase over 2020.

SP 3 Target: Member survey launched by 3.31.2021. Result utilized to inform strategic and tactical decisions.

Result:  Achieved.  46 completions, survey results can be found here.

FP Target: Acquire 2 new PrideVMC Partners by the end of 2021.

Result:  Achieved. Acquired 5 new Partners in 2021 including Covetrus, Ethos Veterinary Health, Merck Animal Health, NVA, and VEG.

In addition to the quantitative results we also saw positive qualitative results. The impact of our plan of attack was already evident in our member survey that was launched in March 2021.  Select results from that survey follow including word clouds formed from the results of two questions from the survey.

We are grateful for the insights and suggestions that we receive from our members and partners and will continue to incorporate your feedback into our current and future plans.

_______________ The mission of the Pride Veterinary Medical Community (PrideVMC) is to create a better world for the LGBTQ+ veterinary community.  We do so by striving to foster acceptance and inclusivity for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender presentations within the veterinary medical profession and community. We fight discrimination, build collaborative networks, and support LGBTQ+ veterinary students through mentorship and scholarship programs. ​PrideVMC membership is open to the entire animal health and veterinary community regardless of role, race, color, religion, national origin or citizenship status, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, or military status. Allies are welcome!   *****************