Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are core values at the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and the work its faculty, staff, and students are doing in this space will be shared with peers from the Midwest and beyond when it hosts the Iverson Bell Midwest Regional Diversity Summit.

Set for May 21–23 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis-Park Place, the summit is an opportunity for attendees to increase their cultural competency through speaker sessions, panel discussions, and off-site experiences.

“The conference theme ‘From Scared to Sacred’ has allowed us to be intentional every step of the way,” says Elizabeth Martinez-Podolsky, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for CVM. “Our college planning Iverson Bell Content and Logistics committees—alongside Program Manager Nicole Kast—have worked hard to identify areas of the conference that would allow us to showcase what CVM’s longstanding commitment has been to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“From selecting a Minnesota Native-owned conference location to identifying and honoring CVM community dignitaries, our planning committees are embracing collaboration as our strength to put on this important event.” 

Several faculty and staff members from CVM are among the conference’s speakers, including:

• Dr. Lauren Bernstein, assistant professor in the Community Medicine program
• Rosemary Klass, Diversity Initiative preceptor & Veterinary Medical Center culture advocate 
• Dr. Jody Lulich, professor of internal medicine in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
• Elizabeth Martinez-Podolsky, director of diversity, equity and inclusion
• Mary Katherine O’Brien, researcher for education and outreach at the Center for Animal Health and Food Safety

In addition to sessions and panels, the summit also will have an award ceremony. One of the awards presented will be the 2024 Zoetis Diversity and Inclusion Award. The award recognizes and honors faculty and/or staff of the colleges and schools of veterinary medicine in the Midwest region 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. The award includes a $1,000 prize.

Nominations are open to the CVM community and can be submitted here. The deadline to submit nominations is 5 p.m. CST on April 5. Anyone with questions can contact Elizabeth Martinez-Podolsky at mart6114@umn.edu. 

Conference registration is open until May 7 and is $175 or $50 for students. Discounted hotel reservations at the conference site are available but end on Friday, April 26.