Advancing diversity in veterinary medicine through nine
full scholarships and integrated support
WESTBROOK, Maine, Jan. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- IDEXX Laboratories,
Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX), a global leader in veterinary diagnostics and
software, announced today a landmark initiative with the
Tuskegee University College of
Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM), which it intends to support by a
contribution of $3.6 million over six
years from the IDEXX Foundation, a donor-advised fund administered
by a national donor-advised fund program. This intended support
represents the IDEXX Foundation's inaugural investment as part of a
larger effort to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in
veterinary medicine.
The TUCVM is the only veterinary medical professional program in
the United States located on the
campus of a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). A
pioneer in veterinary medical education for 75 years, the TUCVM has
a proven track record of increasing access to veterinary medical
education, educating 70% of African American veterinarians.
"We are honored to support the Tuskegee
University College of Veterinary Medicine with an investment
from the IDEXX Foundation, designed to ensure positive student
outcomes through integrated support across the student experience,"
said Jay Mazelsky, IDEXX President
and Chief Executive Officer. "The past 10 years have seen
tremendous growth in the diversity of the pet-owning population.
Ensuring all pets have access to the highest standard of care in
their communities starts with advancing diversity, equity, and
inclusion in veterinary medicine."
The TUCVM initiative is designed to drive comprehensive and
positive outcomes for diversifying the veterinary field. The
initiative includes nine full scholarships, mental health support
for veterinary students, emergency funding for students in need,
and monies for important capital improvements at the TUCVM
facilities. Each of these elements was identified through
engagement with the TUCVM leadership to maximize the positive
impacts of this meaningful collaboration.
"This is the most impactful contribution that our beloved
college has received in our 75 years of existence and recognizes
our legacy of work training and educating students of
color," said Ruby L. Perry,
DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate-ACVR, Dean of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine.
"This meaningful investment by the IDEXX Foundation will help our
students realize their dreams of becoming veterinarians."
About the IDEXX Foundation
The IDEXX Foundation is a donor-advised fund administered by a
national donor-advised fund program. The IDEXX Foundation's mission
is to create positive, lasting impacts for people, animals, and the
environment through inclusive and outcomes-focused initiatives in
communities around the world. In addition to creating opportunities
for the diverse leaders of tomorrow, the IDEXX Foundation also
prioritizes projects that improve access to veterinary care for
underserved communities, disaster relief, and animal-assisted
therapy, and cultivates community-focused solutions to the global
challenges of access to safe water, impacts of climate change, and
food security.
Corporate Responsibility at IDEXX
Corporate responsibility is fundamental to how IDEXX operates as
a business, employer, supplier, customer, and member of the
community. The company prioritizes investments that support its
Purpose and Guiding Principles and is committed to the highest
ethical standards, empowering and rewarding employees, promoting a
culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and seeking
to enhance environmental sustainability in its facilities and
operations.
For more information about our approach to corporate
responsibility, visit
idexx.com/en/about-idexx/corporate-responsibility.
About IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a member of the S&P 500® Index
and is a leader in pet healthcare innovation, offering diagnostic
and software products and services that deliver solutions and
insights to practicing veterinarians around the world. IDEXX
products enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced
medical care, improve staff efficiency, and build more economically
successful practices. IDEXX is also a worldwide leader in providing
diagnostic tests and information for livestock and poultry and
tests for the quality and safety of water and milk and
point-of-care and laboratory diagnostics for human medicine.
Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX
employs more than 9,000 people and offers products to customers in
over 175 countries. For more information about IDEXX, visit
idexx.com.
About the Tuskegee University
College of Veterinary Medicine
Located in Alabama as one of
the state's two accredited veterinary programs, it was envisioned
in 1944 by Dr. Frederick D.
Patterson, founder of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF),
and officially established at Tuskegee in 1945. It is the only
veterinary medical professional program located on the campus of a
Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the United States. The College's primary
mission is to provide an environment that fosters a spirit of
active, independent, and self-directed learning, intellectual
curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, ethics,
and leadership; and promotes teaching, research, and service in
veterinary medicine and related disciplines. For more
information, visit tuskegee.edu/vetmed.
Media relations
media@idexx.com
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SOURCE IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.