The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine (UIC) recently announced a brand new $ 500,000 scholarship to address diversity issues in veterinary medicine.
The Hadley Diversifying Opportunity in Veterinary Education (DOVE) Scholarship, provided by Pathway Vet Alliance CEO Stephen Hadley, DVM, MS and Family, is awarded to veterinary students from underrepresented populations and to those who are committed to promoting diversity, equity and use inclusion (DEI.). ) at work.
“My family and I wanted to put care into practice and remove the systemic barriers that have prevented access to the vet profession for decades. It is our shared responsibility as leaders to make a difference that leads to greater equity and diversity within the profession, ”Hadley said in a UIC press release.
Veterinary medicine is still considered one of the least diverse professions, but according to recent data from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), the proportion of veterinary students with an underrepresented background is from less than 5% in 1980 to around 21% in 2020 gone up .
Despite these numbers, there is still much work to be done, according to Sean C. Garrick, Vice Chancellor, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He hopes the scholarship will contribute to lasting change.
“With improved access to world-class education and training at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, the Hadley family’s DOVE grant will transform the lives of our students and the field of veterinary medicine itself,” he said in the press release.
Yvette Johnson-Walker, DVM, PhD, a clinical instructor at the veterinary college, agrees. “The Hadley Family DOVE Scholarship is a shining example of veterinarians taking the initiative to invest in the future of veterinary medicine by realizing the value of a diverse and inclusive profession,” she said in the press release.
The Hadley family is also known for their long history of philanthropic support which established the Dr. Stephen P. and Mrs.