Skip to content

University of Wisconsin Madison School of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary School

Mailing Address
2015 Linden Drive
Madison, Wisconsin 53706
Phone
(608) 263-2525
Email address
oaa@vetmed.wisc.edu; ‎
School Information
"The UW School of Veterinary Medicine provides outstanding programs in veterinary medical education, research, clinical practice, and service that enhance the health and welfare of both animals and people and contribute to the economic well-being of the state of Wisconsin. Opened in 1983, the school quickly earned a reputation as one of the leading schools of veterinary medicine in America. The school houses a veterinary medical teaching hospital, UW Veterinary Care; cutting-edge technology; and high-quality lab and classroom spaces for teaching and research." (Source: https://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/about/)

Actions Taken

Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • The school's 2018 Annual Report states the following: "Admissions staff members also participated in a bias workshop, learning how to better facilitate the admissions decision-making process to include the more diverse perspective of applicants and their value to the educational environment."
Faculty/Staff Requirements
  • On December 14, 2020, the school announced several diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, including an initiative for faculty which states, "All SVM faculty and staff are required annually to participate in an experience that enhances their understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism, and share the experience during their performance review."
Program and Research Funding
  • The University of Wisconsin Foundation allows prospective donors to give to the "School of Veterinary Medicine Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Fund." 
  • On December 14, 2020, Richard Barajas, the school's Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, announced two new "gift funds" to support diversity and underrepresented students at the school titled "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund" and the "Veterinary Medicine Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship Endowment Fund."
Resources
  • The school published a list of "Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Resources" including: "75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice," "Discussing Racism With Children," and "Addressing Racism, Equity and Diversity in the Sciences."
  • The school's "Diversity" page describes the work of two student clubs within the school. One of the clubs, VOICE (Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment), stated primary goal is to, "increase the social awareness and education of veterinary students in subjects related to—but not limited to—social justice, diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion."
  • The school published its May 2018 Strategic Plan and Annual Progress Report which states, "The Engagement, Inclusivity, and (EID) Diversity Committee partnered with the student VOICE [Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment] chapter on their 'Just Cause' initiative." The report describes "Just Cause" as a "student-led initiative for SVM community members to bring attention to and engage in social justice issues that impact immediate and greater cultural communities."
  • The school published its April 2015 Strategic Plan and Annual Progress Report. "Strategic Priority 5" reported that "The school’s WisCARES clinic opened in the summer of 2014 to serve disadvantaged residents and their pets while providing clinical and service learning opportunities for our DVM students. Walk-in clinics are held at the Social Justice Center and the Salvation Army."
  • The school published a biography page for its Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Director of UW Veterinary Care, Ruthanne Chun. Ms. Chun has co-authored several publications including "Teaching Cultural Humility and Implicit Bias to Veterinary Medical Students: A Review and Recommendation for Best Practices."  
  • The school published a biography page for the Department of Medical Science’s Primary Care Section Head, Elizabeth Alvarez. Ms. Alvarez has co-authored several publications including "Teaching Cultural Humility and Implicit Bias to Veterinary Medical Students: A Review and Recommendation for Best Practices."  
  • On August 17, 2020, the school published an article titled, "From Orthopedic Researcher to Advocate for Health Justice" which features an interview with Shannon Walsh, Ph.D. on many topics, including biomedical sciences, health disparities, and Covid-19. Walsh stated that the pandemic is just "one timely, highly publicized example of how public health issues consistently take a heavier toll on communities of color, particularly Black Americans. There are numerous intertwined layers of systemic racism responsible for these disparities, but efforts to identify and address these causes are frequently hindered by misinformation and misconceptions."
  • On October 30, 2020, UW's Institute for Clinical and Translational Research announced the "2020-2021 Health Sciences Equity & Diversity Lunch & Learn Series" which focuses on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion and is co-sponsored by the School of Veterinary Medicine. The series is "devoted to decolonizing health care" and is about "freeing systems from their historical colonial status and increasing the recognition, value of, and respect for the cultures of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color."
  • On July 22, 2020, the school's Dean, Dr. Markel, was featured in the American Veterinary Medical Association's online article entitled, "Veterinary colleges committed to anti-racism, say Black lives matter." According to the article, "Dr. Markel said he is having conversations with students who are Black, Indigenous, and from other underrepresented racial and ethnic groups to understand how to better serve them."
  • The school's "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan" outlines its strategic priorities, including Priority 4: Curriculum which states, "Topics of DEI will be infused throughout the curriculum to provide holistic, effective, and accessible curricula. Integration across class years and courses is needed to ensure success," and "Infuse DEI training within DVM and Graduate curriculum."
Symbolic Actions
  • The school published an advertisement for Black Lives Matter on their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion resource page which reads, "There Is No Space In Veterinary Medicine For Racism. #BLACKLIVESMATTER."
Last updated November 16th, 2023
©2024 Critical Race Training in Education. All rights reserved.