Dr. Henry Green Receives Zoetis Diversity and Inclusion Award

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Veterinary students gather around Dr. Henry Green to congratulate him for receiving the Zoetis Diversity and Inclusion Award during a reception in the Lynn Hall Courtyard, held in conjunction with the Iverson Bell Midwest Regional Diversity Summit.

During the Iverson Bell Midwest Regional Diversity Summit, Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed presented two Zoetis Diversity and Inclusion Awards at the Zoetis Awards Reception in the Lynn Hall Courtyard Saturday evening, May 19.  One of the recipients is PVM’s own Dr. Henry Green, III, associate professor of cardiology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

The Zoetis Diversity and Inclusion Award honors faculty and staff who have shown exemplary dedication to the advancement of diversity and inclusion, thereby supporting an academic environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and conducive to the success of all faculty, staff, and students.  Other key selection criteria include having a positive impact on students and helping other faculty and staff to become allies to issues around equity and inclusion.

Dr. Henry Green is congratulated by Dean Willie Reed and Dr. Christin Jenkins of Zoetis after receiving the Zoetis Diversity and Inclusion Award.

Before presenting the awards, Dean Reed invited Dr. Christine Jenkins of Zoetis to make remarks.  Dr. Jenkins serves as chief medical officer and vice president of veterinary medical services and outcomes research.  Dr. Jenkins commended the Midwestern veterinary colleges for the progress being achieved in developing inclusive environments at their institutions. “I am so amazed at the progress that you all are making and I am so optimistic that through the colleges of veterinary medicine we will deliver an inclusive veterinary medical profession.”

Dean Reed then introduced the award recipients.  After cheers broke out when he announced the award for Dr. Green, Dean Reed noted, “He has quite a fan club!”  Dean Reed went on to explain how, in 2003, Dr. Green became the first African American board certified veterinary cardiologist in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He also noted that Dr. Green “…has mentored numerous undergraduates, DVM students, interns, and residents, and probably other faculty, and on and on and on.”

Dean Reed also pointed out that Dr. Green is a key co-investigator in the NIFA USDA Purdue University Multicultural Scholars Program, which supports recruitment and retention of multicultural DVM students.  In 2012, he received a Diversity Fellows Grant focused on multicultural education for the global veterinary profession. A recipient of several prestigious teaching awards, Dr. Green also serves on the Purdue Veterinary Medicine Diversity Action Committee, the Purdue University Focus Committee on Intercultural Competence, and the Provost Advisory Committee on Diversity.  Additionally, Dr. Green established a minority internship position in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and led development of a departmental diversity residency position.  “In summary, Dr. Green has had a major impact on the culture of Purdue Veterinary Medicine through his dedication to supporting an academic environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and conducive to the success of all,” Dean Reed said.

In accepting the award, Dr. Green said he appreciated and is humbled by the recognition.  “A lot of times you just go through the day doing the work… but you don’t realize the impact you’re having.”

The recipient of the other Zoetis Diversity and Inclusion Award is April Pugh, director of admissions, recruitment, and special events for The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  She was recognized for playing a pivotal role in the recruitment of educationally, economically, and culturally diverse students to her college.  “She is passionate about creating a culture and climate where students feel welcomed, have a sense of community and mentorship, and feel that they can be successful,” Dean Reed said.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu