ACLAM Position Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)

July 2023

The American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) recognizes and values the diversity of our membership, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity & expression, religious beliefs, geographic, socioeconomic, and educational background. Going beyond our 2020 Statement on Racism and Inclusion, we strive to embrace the differences and commonalities that bring us together in our mission of advancing the humane care and responsible use of laboratory animals. We support fostering our community’s unique talents and experiences to problem solve and achieve ACLAM’s mission in creative ways.

We are committed to ensuring that ACLAM’s programs of certification, professional development and education are available to promote equity within our veterinary specialty. To uphold these commitments, we will identify and target inequities that exist within our field and in the veterinary pipeline to cultivate a more inclusive College and a veterinary profession that is representative of the diverse make-up of the wider community. We seek opportunities to connect with veterinary and laboratory animal science organizations to access and evaluate our outcomes in these goals.

We reject and confront all forms of discrimination and aim to empower our membership to do so by providing resources for education, mentorship, advocacy, and partnerships/collaborations. We aim to create and foster environments free from racism, bigotry, and hate of any kind to maximize the diversity of perspectives within our membership to maintain a thriving College.

We invite you to explore our current projects and resources in these efforts here:

Resources:
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/diversity-and-inclusion-veterinary-medicine
https://www.aavmc.org/resources/diversity-matters/

Projects:
Workforce Demographics Survey
Trailblazers Video

ACLAM Trailblazers

Join the 61st American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) President, Dr. Donna Matthews Jarrell, as she interviews four (4) of ACLAM’s very own Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) trailblazers about their paths to becoming a veterinarian and achieving a veterinary specialty board certification. They also offer advice to those who are aspiring to become a veterinarian or plan to join any health-related profession as well as the organizations that educate and employ them.

ACLAM is honored to recognize Dr. William “Bill” Watson, Dr. Gwendolyn “Gwen” McCormick, Dr. Leslie Diaz, and Dr. Tracy Hanner in this 45-min educational video being offered to both our membership as well as the general public to support more diversity, equity and inclusivity, resulting in a true feeling of belonging, throughout all our organizations.