"Some of the ideas about the perception of minorities in the profession need to be thoroughly explored," Morse says. "The
racial/ethnic groups who are considered minorities today will not always hold that position. Right now, although there are
no demographic studies, I am aware of five African American veterinarians in Ohio out of 3,500 in practice. That is shocking:
only five in the entire state." Diverse discussion Lowrie says the attendance of the symposium could have been more impressive, citing the lack of attendance by AVMA leadership
and presidents from state associations. "The people that need to hear this aren't present. Why aren't the delegates here; they adjourned at noon," she says. "It should
be mandatory for leaders to attend these talks." 
AVMA Diversity Committee
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Audience response at the symposium repeatedly reiterated the need for better communication within the AVMA.
"Anticipation of change isn't going to make it happen," says Jerome Williams, DVM, Birmingham, Ala. Minorities need to make
themselves more present if they want change to happen. Too many times events for the profession take place, and the minority
population is scarce. One step for those wanting change in the profession, is to make themselves more visible within the profession."
"AVMA needs to tell members who is on the diversity task force so we can contact those people to make our concerns known,"
says Lila Miller, DVM, veterinary advisor and senior director of life sciences for the American Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals. "There have been discussions on forming a black/person of color veterinary medical association to have
a ranking in the profession." While the efforts of AVMA presidents Dr. Bonnie Beaver and Dr. Henry Childers were noted, panel members identified the Executive
Board as the powerhouse of the association that needs to be on board with the idea of accomplishing diversity. "It is a good move the AVMA has formed a task force, but it's 2005, not 1960; we should be way beyond this. The executive
board operates outside of democracy — We are preaching to the choir here. The people who need to be here are not in the audience,"
Blackwell says. Social dynamics Elmore says white families are 10 percent more likely to own pets while blacks are 57 percent less likely, Asians are 28 percent
less likely and Hispanic families are 20 percent less likely to own any pet than the average American. "Whites own 94 percent of all cats and 91 percent of all dogs and reptiles in the country," Elmore says. "In a survey of the
class of 2006 veterinary students, 99 percent own or have owned a dog or cat in their lifetime, making a good argument for
a correlation between pet ownership and applying to veterinary school." Other theories on why a small number of qualified minorities apply to veterinary schools include lack of role models within
the profession, no encouragement to enter the field and less attractive test scores, sources say. "Targeting academia seems to be the most logical source for accomplishing diversity," Blackwell says. "Some colleges need
more help than others. Tennessee isn't perfect." "I think next year's symposium will be a little edgier. People were keeping their politeness this year. Talking about diversity
makes people uncomfortable," says Lisa Greenhill, MPA, associate executive director for diversity for AAVMC.
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