Latinx Veterinary Medical Association (LVMA) highlights importance of representation, mentorship in veterinary medicine
The LVMA was created to increase support for Latinx veterinary professionals, students, and clients.
Do you remember where you were in February 2020? Yvette Huizar and Juan S. Orjuela do. The pair were launching their nonprofit, the Latinx Veterinary Medical Association, just a month before COVID-19 closed the world down. Considering the LVMA “was created to form a community of Latinx excellence in veterinary medicine,” doing so was no small feat during a global pandemic. But Huziar and Orjuela found that being closed-in actually helped their cause.
“That pandemic actually brought a great opportunity to begin the organization because so many people felt isolated and were craving community,” said Huizar. “Since us founders were students, that also created more time for us to work on the organization with the pause of classes and in-person learning. We found people were excited to connect online during this time, and social media engagement helped us recruit volunteers, network, and overall spread awareness about the organization.”
The importance of community
Whether in-person or virtual, community is important for Latinx veterinary professionals, students, and clients. According to the Marigny Research Group, roughly 5% of all veterinary professionals identify as Hispanic, while 61.4% of Hispanic households own a pet—accounting for about 20 million pet owners. The lack of Latinx representation in veterinary care creates cultural and language barriers within veterinary medicine.
“Communication is vital in veterinary medicine–our patients can’t tell us what is wrong, so we rely heavily on their owners to give us information to help guide diagnostics and treatment,” said LVMA Director of Outreach, Dr. Marina L. Tejada. “Veterinary medicine also relies on trust and partnerships/relationships we create with owners. If we cannot communicate with owners, we are not able to get the info we need, build trust, and ultimately not provide the best care. The client/patient relationship is affected.”
While Tejada, who has been with the LVMA since 2022, notes that the Latinx community should not be considered a monolith, she acknowledges the importance of community in ensuring clear communication and cultivating trust, which are essential components in all forms of medicine.
“Community is built on trust, [which] creates a sense of belonging, [and] provides support,” Tejada said. “Clients, students, and professionals working together can create a positive environment free of judgment and bias which benefits everyone, especially our patients.”
A team effort
Along with community, the LVMA also places importance on Latinx representation in the veterinary field, and partners with nonprofits like Pawsibilities Vet Med with the goal of increasing Latinx representation in veterinary medicine through mentorship.
“Representation is so important [because] it provides inspiration and guidance,” said Tejada. “Young students can see there is a future for them in this field, veterinary students and veterinary technician students can get the support they need to get through their program, and professionals can get guidance in their careers. Mentorship is an important aspect of that and working with Pawsibilities to help create a community of mentorship.”
Mentorship is just one of the LVMA’s four pillars of empowerment, along with professional development, scholarship, and outreach. Through these tools, the LVMA supports educational initiatives in veterinary medicine, and provides stipends, grants, and other forms of financial support to Latinx veterinary students. The organization also sustains an online network of Latinx veterinary medical professionals and helps cultivate more Latinx leadership in the field. Tejada notes that during Hispanic Heritage Month, the LVMA also hosts special events “to support and uplift Latinx vet professionals and students” and awards scholarships as a part of the annual celebration.
To learn more about the LVMA, or to get involved as a volunteer visit their website, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Photo credit: © Latinxvma.org
Disclaimer: The views expressed, and topics discussed, in any NEWStat column or article are intended to inform, educate, or entertain, and do not represent an official position by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) or its Board of Directors.