Work-study program in Minnesota fosters DEI in vet med

Increasing representation and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the veterinary profession is the driving force behind a recently awarded work-study program in Minnesota.

Initiated by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) DEI Action Team in 2022, the partnership between Mission Animal Hospital and Cristo Rey Jesuit High School-Twin Cities employed a team of four students in a veterinary hospital through the Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study program. The effort received the Best in Business Award from the Veterinary Medical Association Executives (VMAE) at the Annual Summer Conference in Denver, Colo., this month.

High school senior, Edison, was one of four Cristo Rey students who shared a 40-hour work week at Mission Animal Hospital this past academic year. Photo courtesy MVMA.

There are 37 Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study programs across the United States, but the organization only started partnering with a veterinary clinic through this MVMA initiative.

“Our partnership with Mission Animal Hospital and the Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study program aligns with our association’s mission and values. It is a step in the right direction to help high school students from all backgrounds access the veterinary profession,” says MVMA executive director Kelly Andrews.

The MVMA aims to open up opportunities in the veterinary industry to the student population of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, which is predominantly Hispanic.

Diego, a sophomore in the work study program at Mission Animal Hospital, was featured on Fox-9 KMSP in March. He has dreams of being a veterinarian someday and is getting a full hands-on experience through the work study program. Photo courtesy of MVMA.

Sophomore student, Diego, worked at Mission Animal Hospital this past academic year. His experience highlighted the importance of creating more opportunities for students in the veterinary field.

“Every day, I walk into the animal hospital feeling like a part of the team and feeling I’m actually working at the animal hospital because of how much I want to do this for a career,” says Diego in a media interview last March.

The MVMA, Cristo Rey, and Mission Animal Hospital will again partner for the 2023‐2024 academic school year, with the goal to expand into similar high school work study partnerships in Minnesota and nationally.

“Helping all populations and students believe they can work in the veterinary field someday is how we can ensure the future of veterinary medicine is a diverse one we can all be proud of,” says Andrews.

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