Our Bureau
Schaumburg, IL
The Association of American Veterinarians of Indian Origin (AAVIO) participated in the inaugural American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Belonging & Engagement Roundtable, where leaders from seven veterinary affinity and allied organizations gathered at AVMA Headquarters to discuss collaboration, mentorship, leadership development, workforce challenges, and strengthening a sense of belonging across the veterinary profession. The Roundtable focused on sharing experiences and identifying opportunities for organizations to work together to better serve veterinarians and the communities they represent.
Representing AAVIO, Dr. Ravi Murarka, President of the organization, delivered a presentation outlining AAVIO’s mission of supporting veterinarians of Indian origin through mentorship, continuing education, professional networking, leadership development, advocacy, and global collaboration. He highlighted AAVIO’s commitment to helping veterinary students, recent graduates, internationally trained veterinarians, practitioners, researchers, and industry professionals throughout the United States and Canada.
During the presentation, Dr. Murarka showcased AAVIO’s extensive continuing education initiatives, including advanced hands-on surgical wet laboratory training programs organized in collaboration with veterinary colleges and professional organizations in India. These educational programs have been conducted in Jaipur, Mumbai, Akola, Nagpur, and Shirwal, in association with institutions affiliated with the Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur, providing practicing veterinarians with advanced clinical and surgical training.
The presentation also highlighted AAVIO’s collaboration with the Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education & Research (PGIVER) of the Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (RAJUVAS), Jaipur, promoting international academic collaboration and veterinary education. Dr. Murarka shared his meetings with Dr. Samit Sharma, IAS, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries & Gopalan, and Managing Director, Rajasthan Skill and Livelihood Development Corporation, Government of Rajasthan, where discussions focused on veterinary education, skill development, and future collaboration between India and the United States.
AAVIO’s presentation also featured its humanitarian and public health initiatives, including support for Mission Rabies, One Health programs, rabies awareness campaigns, mass dog vaccination efforts, and assistance during the Lumpy Skin Disease outbreak in India. These initiatives demonstrate the organization’s commitment to improving both animal welfare and public health through international cooperation.
In keeping with the objectives of the Belonging & Engagement Roundtable, Dr. Murarka discussed several challenges facing today’s veterinary profession, including mental health, burnout, compassion fatigue, workforce shortages, educational debt, barriers faced by internationally trained veterinarians, and the growing impact of cyberbullying and online harassment on veterinary professionals. He emphasized that mentorship, peer support, and collaboration among veterinary organizations are essential to improving professional well-being and strengthening the veterinary workforce.
The presentation concluded by reaffirming AAVIO’s commitment to advancing veterinary medicine through education, leadership, mentorship, humanitarian service, and international partnerships. Participants welcomed the opportunity to learn about AAVIO’s work and its efforts to strengthen ties between veterinary professionals in North America and India.
Dr. Murarka expressed his appreciation to the American Veterinary Medical Association for inviting AAVIO to participate in this important national discussion and for recognizing the contributions of veterinarians of Indian origin to the global veterinary profession.
About AAVIO
The Association of American Veterinarians of Indian Origin (AAVIO) is dedicated to promoting veterinary excellence through continuing education, mentorship, leadership development, and professional networking for veterinarians across North America.