Doing the Work

At the Oregon State University Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, we are thrilled to be hosting the 2022 Western Regional Iverson Bell Virtual Conference on April 8-10, 2022. Our theme is "Doing the Work." 

At Oregon State, diversity is a core value and we constantly pursue inclusive and equitable practices to make everyone feel not only welcome, but supported, valued and able to bring their true selves to the classroom and to work.

However, we recognize that creative, continuous and collaborative efforts are necessary to continue to transform our universities and institutions to be committed to diversity, inclusion and social justice. 

At this year's conference, we invite you to join in Doing the Work of making veterinary medicine more inclusive, especially in academia. 

Please join us from the comfort of your home or office for the 2022 Western Regional Iverson Bell Conference. 

Eilea Delgadillo, DVM '21, examines a ewe at the Oregon State Expo during wildfire disaster response efforts. Photo courtesy of Katherine Kimball Photography. 

Where and when is it? 

April 8-10, 2022

Virtual

I'm in, sign me up!

Thank you for your interest in the conference! The registration cost is $75 for faculty and staff and $25 for students, technicians, residents and interns. (Student scholarships are available. Please email Conference Co-Chair Alex Rowell for details.)  

Register Now

(If you are coming from outside Oregon State University, you will be prompted to create an account with Oregon State's Conference Services to register.) 

Give me some credit

Several of our sessions are approved for up to three continuing education credits. The Oregon State University Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine is an AVMA Council on Education accredited veterinary college. Approval for CE may vary from state to state. Please confirm with your state boards for any questions regarding credit approval. The sessions are not RACE approved.

Dr. Lisa Greenhill, Keynote Speaker

Dr. Lisa M. Greenhill is the American Association of Veterinary Medical College's senior director for institutional diversity and research. Her work primarily focuses on the ongoing development and implementation of the DiVersity Matters initiative at the national and local levels as well as promoting the veterinary medical profession within underrepresented and marginalized communities.

Lisa also directs the association’s national research agenda. She collects and analyzes data and produces reports related to academic veterinary medicine to include the applicant pool, enrollment, institutional economic impact and diversity.

Previously, she worked as a research associate at the American Indian Higher Education Consortium and as the legislative manager for the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

She earned a master’s degree in Public Administration (with a specialization in health policy) from George Mason and an EdD in Higher Education Administration and Organizational Change from Benedictine University.

Lisa is the mother of teenage daughter and the owner of a fun-loving puppy. She also currently runs a blog about adoption in communities of color.

 

What's your agenda?

2:30-3:00 p.m.

  • Dean's welcome 

3:00-3:30 p.m.

  • Intro to conference

3:30-4:15 p.m.

  • Deaf Client Inclusivity, Trevor Pereyda, OSU CCVM Class of 2022

4:30-5:30 p.m.

  • Diversity Signs Activity, hosted by OLEADS 

8:15-8:30 a.m.

  • Welcome to day two.

8:30-9:30 a.m.

  • Keynote address: Dr. Lisa Greenhill, AAVMC senior director for institutional research and diversity, "Invisible Curriculum." 

9:30-9:45 a.m.

  • Break

9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m.

  • Student Panel: "How can faculty and staff support you as an underrepresented student? Your experiences thus far." 

10:45-11 a.m.

  • Break

11 a.m. to Noon

  • Workshop: Anne Gillies, Oregon State University Search Advocate Program director, "Creating change in hiring practices to advance diversity." 

Noon to 12:30 p.m.

  • Lunch break

12-1:30 p.m.

  • Purina sponsor presentation by Dr. Courtney Campbell

1:30-1:40 p.m.

  • Break

1:40-2:30 p.m.

  • Workshop: Practice scenarios 

2:30-2:45 p.m.

  • Stretch break, led by Hilary Ann Lakin, OSU CCVM Class of 2023

2:45-3:45 p.m.

  • Breakout sessions:
    • "How to create an inclusive syllabus"
    • "Inclusive Leadership" with Dustin Henwood, DVM- Practice owner of Heart & Soul Animal Urgent Care

 

 

 

 

8-8:30 a.m.

  • Welcome to day three.

8:30-9:30 a.m.

  • Retention first with Dr. Naomi Nishi, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Colorado State University

9:30-9:45 a.m.

  • Break

9:45-11:00 a.m.

  • College presentations and open discussion). "What has worked for your college? What have you implemented in orientations, speakers, programming, clubs? What have you taken away? Open discussion."

11-11:20 a.m.

  • Closing remarks

 

 

The Conference Namesake

The Iverson Bell conference is named for Dr. Iverson Bell. Born in Texas in 1916, Dr. Bell overcame the era’s segregation and pervasive racial discrimination to forge a thriving private veterinary medical practice while demonstrating ground-breaking leadership in veterinary medicine, education, civic affairs and civil liberties. Among Dr. Bell’s many achievements, he rose to serve as the first African American vice president of the American Veterinary Medical Association from 1971-73.

After service in the U.S. Army during World War II, Bell earned his DVM degree from Michigan State University and taught small animal medicine as part of the founding faculty at the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in Tuskegee, Alabama. Dr. Bell and his family eventually settled in Indiana, where he established the Bell Animal Hospital and practiced veterinary medicine for 35 years. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Bell demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion in public education. He served on his local school board for 20 years and, together with another member, co-founded the Foundation for Public Education. He also helped establish the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine and served as a mentor and leader for many students. 

Biography courtesy of Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. 

I have questions or need to request accommodations.

We're happy to help. Please reach out to conference organizing co-chairs Sara Smith or Alex Rowell. 

Thank you, sponsors!

The conference is generously sponsored by Purina, Banfield Pet Hospital and Zoetis.