From Personal to Practical, Building on Experiences to Understand Allyship through Proactive Pronoun Use

Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU

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Description of presentation: Listen to the personal story of a transgender veterinarian and hear what it was like to go through veterinary school and out into practice while pursuing one’s authentic self. The first part of the presentation will focus on the speaker’s personal story providing context for understanding the importance of personal pronouns. The next portion of the presentation will provide a mini pronoun workshop in which participants will learn about personal pronoun use and awareness, as well as learn how to show up as an ally in different mis-gendering scenarios. Participants will also learn how to make simple changes in behavior to create a culture of inclusion for LGBTQ+ folks in your practice or workplace. The presentation will conclude with a basic overview of the Pride Veterinary Medical Community and the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. Ways that interested participants can get involved will be discussed with an emphasis on the importance of PrideVMC as a DEI affinity organization in vet medicine.

BIO: Dane Whitaker, DVM, MPVM

Prononuns: he, him

Immediate past President Pride veterinary medical community

Dr. Dane Whitaker has been practicing veterinary medicine in the San Francisco area for over 25 years. He completed his Masters in Preventive Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis in 2017 and is currently providing small animal clinical relief services across central California. He is also a relief veterinarian at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito CA, and he provides clinical as well as field support for marine mammal research projects. Although a Bay Area native, he grew up in Florida and graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. After graduation, he completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at the Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital. His veterinary interests include small animal medicine, clinical pathology, marine mammal medicine and One Health. Dr. Whitaker is the immediate past president of the Pride Veterinary Medical Community and takes an active role in promoting the ideas of inclusion and acceptance for all members of the community in the veterinary profession.

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