Veterinary Alliance for Leadership, Inclusion, and Diversity

What is VALID?

We are an organization run by DVM students at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. We work closely with the Diversity and Inclusion Committee to work on projects that promote diversity at UF CVM. Our main goals are to educate others on topics regarding diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine, to empower those from under-represented communities, and to promote an open, safe, and inclusive environment at UF CVM.

Our History:

This student organization was founded in 2013 by Drs. Rachel Warnes, Florence Whitehill, and Andrew Torchia. At the time, it was called “Full Spectrum Veterinary Alliance” and was an organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community at UF CVM. As time went on, the student leaders recognized a need for an inclusive organization that supported all marginalized groups at the college. Thus, in 2018, the Diversity and Inclusion Veterinary Alliance (DIVA) was born. DIVA established several events at the college as well as a relationship with the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at UF CVM. In the summer of 2020, the organization went through a final name change to VALID: Veterinary Alliance for Leadership, Inclusion, and Diversity. This name better represents our priorities and the organization’s goals. The new logo includes the upward moving arrows, reflecting leadership, progress, and empowerment.