DEIB Committee

About the Committee

NAVTA is committed to promoting, increasing, and maintaining diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging in our membership, leadership, and the veterinary nursing/technology profession.

The goal of the NAVTA DEIB Committee is to promote the value of DEIB throughout the veterinary nursing/technology profession including but not limited to race; ethnicity, gender; sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender presentations, religious or political beliefs.

The NAVTA DEIB Committee is charged with:

  • Developing programs, position statements, and policies to promote inclusive environments in veterinary nursing/technology where everyone will feel welcome, comfortable, safe, respected, and valued regardless of their race; ethnicity, gender; sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender presentations, religious or political beliefs.
  • Reviewing and updating existing NAVTA policies, procedures, print and electronic resources to include NAVTA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Providing relevant DEIB information to the NAVTA Executive Board, committees, and task forces that contribute to the diversification of the applicant pool and the removal of barriers to membership and participation.
  • Creating or compiling educational material and resources for use on the NAVTA website, social media channels, and printed materials to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
  • Creating materials to encourage underrepresented groups to enter the profession.
Committee Members

Deborah Bascombe, BS, AAS, LVT
Committee Chair

Rochellie Cortés-Martínez, LVTg, CVT, MBA
Committee Vice Chair

Kathy Koar
Melanie S. Hollis
India Tuthill
Kathryn Hastings
Bri Brooks
Margaret (Peg) Wheeler
Christina Loftin
Patricia Zehna
Melissa Evans

NAVTA DEIB Position Statement

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) believes that by actively embracing Diversity, advancing Equity, fostering Inclusion, and promoting Belonging, we can strengthen the veterinary nursing profession, enhance the quality of care provided to animals, and create a more just and equitable professional landscape for all.

The veterinary nursing profession, like the broader veterinary community, benefits immensely from the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents of individuals from all backgrounds. The strength and vitality of the veterinary nursing profession are intrinsically linked to the richness of its people.

An equitable environment ensures that all individuals have fair access to opportunities, resources, and advancement within the profession, regardless of their background. This requires recognizing and addressing systemic barriers and biases that may disadvantage certain groups. Inclusion goes beyond mere representation; it actively cultivates a sense of belonging where all individuals feel respected, supported, and empowered to contribute their full potential. Belonging goes further, fostering a deep sense of connection and acceptance where individuals feel safe, valued for who they are, and integral to the fabric of the profession. NAVTA is committed to fostering this culture within the organization and across the veterinary nursing community.