Veterinary association makes first veterinary DEI publications permanently open access

The first comprehensive publications on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in veterinary medicine are now free and permanently accessible online, according to a news release by the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association (MCVMA).1 The collections, published by Elsevier, comprise “Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine,” Parts 1 and 2.

According to the MCVMA, the 2-part collection consists of 20 review articles and editorials written by veterinarians, veterinary technicians, social workers, and educators. The books contain contributions from well-known voices in the veterinary industry, such as recent American Veterinary Medical Association Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Michael Blackwell, DVM, MPH; Vernard Hodges, DVM; Coretta Patterson, DVM, DACVIM-SA; Katherine Fogelberg, DVM, PhD, MA; and Stephen Niño Cital, RVT, SRA, RLAT, CVPP, VTS-LAM.

Some of the articles in the collection include2:

• Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Veterinary Team
• Understanding Implicit Bias and Its Impact in Veterinary Medicine
• What does it Mean to be White in Veterinary Medicine?
• The Owner Will See You Now: The Road to Entrepreneurship for Diverse Veterinarians
• Editorial: Creating an Inclusive Experience or Veterinary Clients
• Bridging Gaps in Veterinary Care: Equity, Access, and Innovation
• Diversifying the Veterinary Technician (VTS) Pipeline
• And more

“This publication spotlights an extraordinary group of authors whose lived experiences and professional insights will continue to shape diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine,” Christina V. Tran, DVM, editor of the collection, MCVMA past president, and founding dean of Hanover College School of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, Indiana, said in the release.1 “Each topic was carefully selected to reflect the evolving needs of our profession, ranging from inclusive mentorship and access to care, to the intersectionality of race, gender, and identity in clinical and educational settings.”

The collections mark the first scholarly works focused only on DEI in veterinary medicine, with the publications representing “not just a collection of voices, but a call to action for a more equitable and inclusive future in veterinary medicine,” according to Tran.1

In the MCVMA announcement, the organization called the now permanently open-access works “an essential step in addressing the systemic inequities affecting both professionals and clients within the field.”1

Permanent open access to the 2 works was purchased by MCVMA in June 2025 with the help of a grant from Maddie’s Fund, an animal welfare foundation. The publications’ open access standing allows the public to freely read, download, cite, and share their contents with no restriction, giving access to veterinary professionals, educators, and students of all incomes and institutional affiliations.1

“In our current political and economic climate, MCVMA believes that open access to DEI information and educational tools is imperative to counter the ongoing misinformation and attacks on equity and justice,” Martínez continued.1 “This initiative will increase the visibility and impact of the research, and has the potential to accelerate more studies and generate stronger policy solutions to address inequities in the veterinary profession.”

Additionally, this fall, the MCVMA will be hosting a free, online “Meet the Authors” webinar series where attendees will be able to meet contributors, ask questions, and engage in discussions related to culturally responsive veterinary care, allyship in professional settings, and DEI in veterinary education.

References

1. MCVMA secures permanent open access to first DEI publications in veterinary medicine. News release. Multicultural veterinary medical association. August 12, 2025.
2. Publications. Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed August 19, 2025. https://mcvma.org/publications/