Esther Lam, a third-year DVM student at the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), is among the first cohort of a new leadership program founded to increase the veterinary profession’s representation of underserved groups and communities.

The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) in partnership with Chewy Health has created the Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program and awarded each student in its first cohort a $20,000 scholarship. The funding is intended to help recipients establish a strong foundation as they transition from student to practicing veterinarian.

Lam is making her mark as an advocate for animals and people at CVM and on her home island of Guam. She is an active member of the Student Initiative for Reservation Veterinary Services and the Veterinary Treatment Outreach for Urban Community Health student groups. Lam also co-authored a bill to strengthen animal welfare and protection laws in Guam. The bill became law in 2021.

Following graduation, Lam plans to pursue emergency medicine with a focus on improving access to veterinary care for underserved populations. She also hopes to return to Guam to serve as a public health officer.

Lam is one of 15 scholarship recipients supported by the new Chewy leadership program. She and her peers will participate in monthly conversations designed to be supportive and promote camaraderie. Training, networking, and other activities are also planned for the scholarship recipients.

After graduation from their respective schools, the scholarship recipients will have opportunities to join a network of Chewy Veterinary Leaders alumni and will be provided with post-graduation sponsorship to join MentorVet Leap, a six-month professional development program for early-career veterinarians.