New phase of DEI learning: Earn CE while advancing diversity

Making our profession more diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI) is a strategic goal for the AVMA, and education is a fundamental part of that. AVMA is proud to announce that Journey for Teams, the Association's flagship DEI initiative, now offers participants the opportunity to earn CE credit.

Why diversity matters: Small actions lead to big change

We know that the benefits of DEI in the veterinary workplace are far reaching-they include healthier team cultures, stronger relationships with clients, and enhanced care for our patients. By providing practical education and fostering open dialogue, AVMA empowers everyone in the veterinary community to explore essential DEI concepts and implement change in their workplace.

Journey for Teams: A pathway for every workplace

Developed in partnership with the Veterinary Medical Association Executives, Journey for Teams is comprised of 15-minute educational modules that guide participants to explore DEI topics and build a roadmap to foster DEI.

Each module offers practical, actionable resources that inspire curiosity, reflection, and respectful dialogue. They cover a wide range of subjects, including unconscious bias, microaggressions, accessibility, generational diversity, neurodiversity, and many more.

Intended for group learning, the program uses videos, discussion guides, and goal-setting aids to help teams interact with the topics together in short, organized meetings. A navigator, or team lead, steers the discussions, helps the group identify possible action items, and monitors progress. Navigators have access to special resources to help guide the program in their workplace.

The educational modules are free for all veterinary professionals-and more than 18,000 learners have already taken part. Now, this new phase offers participants the opportunity to earn CE credit for the curriculum. The CE-eligible modules are housed on AVMA Axon®, AVMA's digital education platform. Four modules comprise one Journey for Teams CE volume, and there are four volumes available, each offering 1 CE credit. The CE modules are free for AVMA and Student AVMA members, and cost just $25 for other learners. The non-CE modules remain free for everyone at JourneyForTeams.org.

Partnering with champions of DEI

Bringing DEI to the forefront of veterinary medicine is a community effort. Fortunately, the veterinary profession has countless individuals and organizations that are committed to champion the cause. Journey for Teams is one example. The program is generously supported by many industry partners, without whom it wouldn't be possible.

Here's what some of them have to say about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the veterinary profession:

Nationwide Insurance

"By fostering an inclusive community where all members of the veterinary health care team feel valued and respected, veterinary medicine creates an environment that extends the same dignity and understanding to the diverse pet families we serve. Nationwide promotes the vision of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive veterinary profession, and we proudly support initiatives like Journey for Teams, which seek to advance DEI principles within the profession."

North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) Senior Vice President of Governance and Administration Suzanne Savage

"At the NAVC, we are driven by our mission to advance animal care worldwide and our vision for a future in which the entire veterinary health care team thrives. We believe that cultivating an environment that is inclusive of all people is essential to achieving this, and we are committed to leading, inspiring, and supporting the veterinary community to take intentional actions to accelerate the path toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future. We are active participants in the Journey for Teams program, and our own NAVC staff look forward to engaging with a new module every month."

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) Chief People Officer Cheryl DeSantis

"At NVA, we recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential pillars of a thriving veterinary profession. By fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives, we not only enrich our workplace culture but also elevate the quality of care we provide to our patients. Our investment in initiatives like Journey for Teams reflects our commitment to ensuring equitable opportunities for all within the veterinary community."

Looking ahead… More DEI resources and events coming soon

As Journey for Teams continues to expand, keep an eye out for another new program initiative, Educational Sharpenings, to be announced in early summer.

In the meantime, mark your calendar for AVMA's first Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Wellbeing (DEIW) Summit. If DEI and wellbeing are important to you, this is an event you won't want to miss. Save the date to join us November 7-9, 2024, in Atlanta. More than a conference, the summit will be a gathering of a community united by the shared goal of fostering environments where creativity, wellbeing, and collaboration flourish. Registration opens this summer.

Learn more about what the AVMA is doing to move the needle on DEI in the veterinary profession at avma.org/Diversity.

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