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Illinois roundtable highlights Indian origin veterinarians
AAVIO outlined mentorship, education and workforce initiatives during the AVMA's inaugural belonging and engagement roundtable meeting.
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Staff Reporter - Thu, 30, Jul 2026
- 01:40 EDT
- 38
The discussions centered on veterinary education, skill development and future collaboration between India and the United States. / Handout
The Association of American Veterinarians of Indian Origin (AAVIO) participated in the inaugural American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Belonging & Engagement Roundtable at AVMA headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois, where leaders from seven veterinary affinity and allied organizations discussed collaboration, mentorship, leadership development, workforce challenges and ways to strengthen belonging across the profession.
Representing AAVIO, its president, Dr. Ravi Murarka, presented the organization's work supporting veterinarians of Indian origin through mentorship, continuing education, professional networking, leadership development, advocacy and international collaboration. He said the organization serves veterinary students, recent graduates, internationally trained veterinarians, practitioners, researchers and industry professionals across the United States and Canada.
Murarka highlighted AAVIO's continuing education initiatives, including hands on surgical wet laboratory training programs conducted in partnership with veterinary colleges and professional organizations in India. According to the presentation, the programs have been held in Jaipur, Mumbai, Akola, Nagpur and Shirwal in collaboration with institutions affiliated with the Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University, 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 of the Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Jaipur. The partnership focuses on international academic collaboration and veterinary education.
Murarka also spoke about his meetings with Dr. Samit Sharma, secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries & Gopalan and managing director of the Rajasthan Skill and Livelihood Development Corporation, Government of Rajasthan. According to the presentation, the discussions centered on veterinary education, skill development and future collaboration between India and the United States.
The organization also outlined 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. AAVIO said these initiatives are intended to improve animal welfare and public health through international cooperation.
During the roundtable, Murarka discussed challenges facing the veterinary profession, including mental health concerns, burnout, compassion fatigue, workforce shortages, educational debt, barriers encountered by internationally trained veterinarians and the effects of cyberbullying and online harassment. He said mentorship, peer support and collaboration among veterinary organizations are important to improving professional well being and strengthening the veterinary workforce.
The presentation concluded with AAVIO reaffirming its commitment to veterinary education, leadership, mentorship, humanitarian service and international partnerships. According to the organization, participants welcomed the opportunity to learn about its work and efforts to strengthen ties between veterinary professionals in North America and India.
Murarka thanked the American Veterinary Medical Association for inviting AAVIO to participate in the roundtable and for recognizing the contributions of veterinarians of Indian origin to the global veterinary profession.
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