2020 Biennial Southeast Regional Diversity Matters Symposium
Building Comprehensive Wellness Through a Climate of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
August 29, 2020
The Southeast Regional Diversity Matters Symposium is a biennial conference created to present topics related to diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine specifically addressed toward the veterinary student. The conference is hosted by a different regional veterinary college on a rotational basis.
As host institution, the conference planning committee is composed of faculty, staff and students from the Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine, along with representatives from the other southeastern colleges of veterinary medicine. The conference is open to all veterinary faculty, staff and students, but the focus is on promoting regular dialogue among regional peers. The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine was selected to host the 2020 Southeastern Regional Diversity Matters Symposium and has chosen the theme to be Building Comprehensive Wellness Programs through a Climate of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Wellness and life balance are crucial topics in veterinary medicine. Therefore, the theme for this conference will assist attendees in designing and maintaining wellness programs that incorporate key concepts of diversity, inclusion and equity.
Please contact Jo Beth Williford at jobeth@auburn.edu to register.
Thomas (Thom) Gossom Jr. is an actor, writer and communications consultant. He received his bachelor’s in communication from Auburn University in 1975. A starting wide receiver for the Tiger football team from 1972-1974, Gossom is featured in the HBO special “Breaking the Huddle,” about the integration of Southern College Football. He was the first African American athlete to graduate from Auburn and later received his master’s in communications from the University of Montevallo.
Gossom’s acting credits include,” Containment,” “Fight Club,” “Jeepers Creepers 2,” “CSI,” “Boston Legal,” “In The Heat Of The Night,” and the title character, Israel, in the “NYPD Blue” Emmy winning episode, “Lost Israel.”
His writing credits include his published memoir, “Walk-On: My Reluctant Journey To Integration at Auburn University,” (State Street Press, 2008). Gossom’s new work is the short story collection, “A Slice Of Life, Another Slice Of Life, and The Rest of the Pie,” (Aquarius Press 2015-2016). Gossom also wrote, directed and produced the documentary film, “Quiet Courage, the James Owens Story.”
Gossom and his wife Joyce are owners of Best Gurl, Inc., a marketing, communications and higher education consulting firm. Clients include: Gulf Power Company, Auburn University, AT&T, and The National Association of Branch Campus Administrators. Gossom also serves on the Auburn University Foundation Board.
Lisa Greenhill currently serves as the Senior Director for Institutional Research and Diversity at the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). Dr. Greenhill directs the Association’s internal study of academic veterinary medicine through collaborative research, analysis and publication efforts.
She also manages the DVM: DiVersity Matters initiative, which promotes increased representation of underrepresented persons in academic veterinary medicine, inclusive academic environments and the inclusion of diversity related professional competencies in the DVM curriculum.
Dr. Greenhill previously served nearly three years with the AAVMC, during which time she managed legislative and regulatory policy issues including agriculture production, biomedical research, professional education, food safety and environmental health.
She holds a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in public policy from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA and a Doctorate in Education from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. She is mom to an amazing daughter and a terrier mix.
Dr. Christine C. Jenkins leads the Zoetis, Medical Affairs, Academic and Professional Affairs, Scientific Information, and Outcomes Research groups. As a member of the Zoetis U.S. Leadership Team, Jenkins serves as the Chief Veterinary Medical Officer for U. S. Operations and is responsible for strategic partnerships with the colleges of veterinary medicine and professional associations of relevance across U. S. Operations.
She is responsible for the Zoetis Commitment to Veterinarians™ platform and philanthropic efforts for which includes support of the veterinary profession through scholarships, veterinary wellness initiatives, disaster relief and diversity.
Jenkins received her BS degree in Animal Science from Florida A&M University and her DVM from Tuskegee University. She completed an internship at the University of Florida and a residency at the University of Tennessee in small animal internal medicine.
Prior to joining industry, Dr. Jenkins was a tenured Associate Professor of Medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Prior to joining Zoetis, Dr. Jenkins held Director roles in clinical research, regulatory affairs, and marketing at Pfizer Animal Health, Merial Ltd. and Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
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