Marking Black History Month
During Black History Month, Dr. Kathryn Waddell Takara, at right, was a featured keynote speaking during the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council’s event Celebrating Black History Month: Our Past, Our Present, Our Future.
Waddell Takara is the daughter of Dr. William Waddell, V’35, at far right. She reflected on her father’s career and his experiences battling racism over the course of his life. Waddell served on the faculty at Tuskegee University and later co-founded Tuskegee’s School of Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Frederick Douglass Patterson.
Student participants also openly shared their experiences at Penn Vet, helping to drive open dialogue on racism and DEI. Penn Vet’s Dr. De’Broski Herbert moderated the program, and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Roderick Gilbert shared his vision for our future.
Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla Addresses Graduates
Albert Bourla, DVM, PhD, chairman and CEO of Pfizer, delivered the keynote address at Penn Vet’s Commencement, held virtually on May 17. A veterinarian by training, Dr. Bourla leads Pfizer in its purpose: breakthroughs that change patients’ lives, with a focus on driving the scientific and commercial innovation needed to have a transformational impact on human health. This was most evident in Pfizer’s development of one of the first COVID vaccines, a critical tool in addressing the current global pandemic.
“Dr. Bourla encapsulates the unique and impactful role of veterinarians as practitioners of One Health on a global scale,” said Dean Hoffman. “His perspective is particularly germane to our graduates as they embark upon their careers in this noble profession, with the knowledge and sensibility to explore all options that lie ahead.”
New Bellwether Sessions
Amid the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to stay connected, both with one another and with reputable, evidence-based sources, soared. Enter Penn Vet’s Bellwether Sessions — a new virtual event series designed to engage and connect alumni, hospital clients, pet owners, and beyond with leading Penn Vet expertise delivered directly through the convenience — and safety — of home.
Since its inaugural event in September 2020, the growing series of interactive, discussion-based webinars has garnered the attention of more than 1,000 attendees, delivering critical insights from Penn Vet faculty on timely, relevant topics, such as the implications of the workfrom-home environment on pet behavior; how Ryan Hospital’s Shelter Medicine program responded to the pandemic; and, most recently, whether or not COVID-19 is a legitimate threat to our four-legged family members.
The virtual events, an extension of the Bellwether magazine brand, embody the best of what Penn Vet has to offer: applicable, evidencebased solutions for real-time, life-altering challenges that transcend across human, animal, and environmental health, and society.
Bellwether Sessions participants — now able to gain access to these events unincumbered by their physical geographical location — are offered the unique opportunity to hear directly from leading Penn Vet faculty and clinicians, and then have their own questions answered live during each seminar.
With upcoming sessions being planned for fall 2021, the Bellwether Sessions series is open to all and free to attend. Follow Penn Vet on Facebook or Instagram for event announcements (@pennvetschool).