The Veterinary Kaleidoscope Summit 2024
19 Jul 2024
Image: (Back L-R) Dr Kristen Steele, Dr Tara Cashman, Dr Julien Grosmaire, Dr Suffien Suharju, Ms Kate Mylan veterinary student, Dr Meredith Flash, (Front L-R) Dr Cam Raw, Dr Channy McGowan, Dr Alex Harrison, Dr Jodie Wilson, Dr Kate Toyer
The Veterinary Kaleidoscope (TVK) Summit 2024 took place at the award-winning Victorian Pride Centre on Fitzroy Street, St Kilda on 18 and 19 July 2024 and the AVA was delighted to attend and be part of the conversation.
Beginning with a recap of what has been achieved, Dr Channy McGowan and Dr Cam Raw explained that the Australian Rainbow Vets and Allies (ARVA) has evolved to The Veterinary Kaleidoscope (TVK) with a broadened representation of veterinarians, a formalised committee structure and a highly motivated and qualified committee.
The committee went to great lengths to secure a warm and safe space for veterinarians to present on the areas of difficulty being faced in the veterinary community with a multimodal delivery of panel discussions, formal presentations and an evening of music, launch of a book, a live podcast and entertainment.
Dr Kate Toyer (TVK) and Dr Kristen Steele (AVA) co-presented on the 2023 AVA Workforce Survey which included Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) questions formed through collaboration of TVK and AVA, to understand the data of veterinarians living with varying complexities. This DEI workforce data, appropriately released at the TVK conference, allowed discussion and acknowledgement that 37.9% of veterinarians live with a disability, chronic condition or neurodivergence in addition to gender and sexual diversity.
There was also discussion around pro bono work and how this may result in a lack of resources to support the veterinary community’s needs.
The keynote session was a highlight, featuring the impressive Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM and his wonderful team. Dr Palipana went on to complete his medical degree and works as an emergency doctor after sustaining spinal cord injuries in a car accident resulting in quadriplegia. He also has a law degree.
Panel discussions explored the personal stories of Australian and international veterinarians of hardship, prejudice and persecution faced in workplaces and in Australian and international society.
Dr Jodie Wilson is a leader in the DEI space, researching and presenting on navigating disclosure with discussion on bias and discrimination.
Extensive research on workplace accessibility for varying disabilities by Dr Alex Harrison and Dr Cam Raw is appropriate for all veterinary workplaces and a great resource for the veterinary profession. This included facilities and equipment that is currently available, and the use of quiet rooms to allow recovery and privacy in the veterinary workplace.
Dr Harrison also presented on psychological safety and disclosure in veterinary spaces.
Dr Suff Suharju’s presentation provided discussion around the safety of veterinary students at university and the supports that are available, or not, in veterinary schools.
This led into Dr Julien Grosmaire’s presentation on the TVK mentoring program (which is currently in development), to fill an area of need not presently met through available mentoring programs.
Solutions and thoughts were provided around welcoming people into the workforce, controlling your destiny (Dr James Ede) and broad topics such as the Voice Referendum (truth, treaty and voice) and Activism (Jackie Turner).
The AVA is very pleased to be part of the summit, which acknowledged the diversity in the veterinary profession and raises awareness of the need for safe and accessibile workplaces to accommodate, include and welcome all people.