Purdue veterinary medicine receives 2020 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has been honored as a recipient of the 2020 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

Presented annually, the national Health Professions HEED Award recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine made the announcement Oct. 2. As an award recipient, the college will be featured, along with 45 other recipients, in the December 2020 issue of the magazine.

Dean Willie Reed said the award is a great reflection of the college’s deep and abiding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

“This award makes an important statement about the way in which our college doesn't just talk about diversity and inclusion, but lives it,” Reed said. “The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine is playing a leadership role nationally with model initiatives that advance diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine. We are working diligently to make measurable progress as a college and as a profession in being truly welcoming and supportive of everyone, and this award documents that fact.”

This is the second year Purdue Veterinary Medicine has been named as a Health Professions HEED Award recipient.

“PVM continues to raise the bar in diversity, equity, and inclusion through its innovative programming and leadership,” said Latonia Craig, the college’s assistant dean for inclusive excellence. “We are so thrilled for PVM to receive this award. Diversity, equity and inclusion lie at the heart of PVM’s mission. We have a supportive college community that makes every effort to ensure that we bring our core values to life daily. This work is not easy, but we do it because that’s just who we are.

“You can have diversity without inclusion, but at PVM, we strive to create an environment that welcomes and includes each student, faculty and staff member. We hope that our efforts will inspire others to engage in this work in the best way they know how.”

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected Purdue Veterinary Medicine for the award because of its multiple diversity and inclusion initiatives. In February 2020, the college launched its five-year diversity strategic plan, which continues to receive praise for its thoroughness and commitment to inclusive excellence. PVM’s role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine is long-standing. Award-winning programs such as Vet Up! led by Craig, and This is How We “Role,” led by Sandra San Miguel, associate dean for engagement, each received INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s Inspiring Programs in STEM Award in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Other programs include PVM’s new and popular virtual Learning Cafés, a monthly series of 50-minute critical conversations surrounding diverse topics chosen by the PVM community.

“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 other recipients of the 2020 Health Professions HEED Award include three other veterinary schools:

• Louisiana State University - School of Veterinary Medicine
• Texas A&M University - College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
• The Ohio State University - College of Veterinary Medicine

More information on the 2020 Health Professions HEED Award is available online.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 5 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/. 

Writer: Kevin Doerr, doerrk@purdue.edu

Media contact: Amy Patterson Neubert, apatterson@purdue.edu

Journalists visiting campus: Journalists should follow Protect Purdue protocols and the following guidelines:

• Campus is open, but the number of people in spaces may be limited. We will be as accommodating as possible, but you may be asked to step out or report from another location.
• To enable access, particularly to campus buildings, we recommend you contact the Purdue News Service media contact listed on the release to let them know the nature of the visit and where you will be visiting. A News Service representative can facilitate safe access and may escort you on campus.
• Correctly wear face masks inside any campus building, and correctly wear face masks outdoors when social distancing of at least six feet is not possible.