College Recognized for Fourth Year in a Row as Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award Winner

For the fourth year in a row, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine is a recipient of the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the 2020 Health Professions HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine will be featured, along with 45 other recipients, in the December 2020 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. We are proud to be recognized with other colleges in The Ohio State University health sciences family, including the Colleges of Medicine, Nursing and Optometry. 

Diversity and inclusion are foundational principles of our Be The Model® strategic plan and are incorporated into every goal area. INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine Diversity for this award because of our ongoing work to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion with specific recognition of three highlighted areas:

• Focusing on recruiting underrepresented minorities and first-generation students by reducing barriers to entering the profession, providing engaging learning opportunities, and creating an academic community that fosters inclusion.
• BE WELL programming that teaches a foundation of health and well-being skills before students enter their professional careers. 
• Outreach and engagement opportunities such as the Pet Owner and Pet Care Program and the Veterinary Medicine Outreach Program provide care to underserved populations and unique student service learning experiences.

“The HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both — continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We take a detailed approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”

The College of Veterinary Medicine is especially honored to be selected annually since 2017. While we know we have much more to do to become the model working and learning environment that supports inclusive diversity in all we do, we are honored by this recognition of our efforts to date. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the work that has led to this recognition and, more importantly, to help nurture diversity and inclusion in our college.

“We know that diversity promotes a culture of inclusion that understands and appreciates the world beyond our own individual perspective,” said Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS, dean, College of Veterinary Medicine. “Our goal is to foster an environment for working, learning and serving where each member of our college can thrive both professionally and personally. We seek to create a space where each person feels welcome, comfortable, safe, respected and valued. The work of diversity, equity, and inclusion is never done. It is a continual journey, not a destination. To achieve the results we want and need, we must be equally committed to the long-haul work of changing systems and to the immediate work of addressing specific and current issues.”
For more information about the 2020 Health Professions HEED Award, visit insightintodiversity.com.