The Legacy of Black Excellence in Veterinary Medicine

Feb 18, 7-9pm | Doors @ 6PM

With Haley Beamon, DVM, M.S., Veterinarian at the Northwest Mobile Vet.

Feb 18, 7-9PM | Doors @ 6PM | Advance tickets recommended; $5 suggested donation

Science Pubs are a casual lecture series held in two locations across Portland. Grab a drink and get comfy as you learn about the innovative medical impact of prominent Black veterinarians in The Legacy of Black Excellence in Veterinary Medicine. Recommended for ages 10 and over.

About the lecture:

We often think of legacy as something ancestral or historical—and in many ways, that is true. However, legacy also exists in the present and looks toward the future. It is what motivates us, inspires us, and fills us with hope.

The study of veterinary medicine traces its origin to the 18th century, beginning with the establishment of the first veterinary school in France. Although the veterinary profession has evolved over centuries, today, African Americans represent only 2.2% of veterinarians.

This lecture series celebrates Black excellence in veterinary medicine, from the first African American women to earn veterinary degrees to modern entrepreneurs featured on Animal Planet. We’ll also explore cases led by Dr. Beamon, highlighting her contributions to Black excellence in the field. The legacy of Black professionals in veterinary medicine is multidimensional, and together, we celebrate their enduring impact.

Dr. Haley Beamon was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee and obtained her bachelors of Agriculture with a focus in Animal Science from The University of Tennessee at Martin.

Dr. Beamon has envisioned herself as a veterinarian ever since she was a child. This dream led her to the illustrious Tuskegee University where she obtained her Master of Science in Animal Science. Through her thesis, Dr. Beamon developed an interest in education, and small ruminants. Her dream of becoming a veterinarian became a reality when she earned her doctorate of veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2021.

Dr. Beamon currently works as a mobile mixed animal veterinarian in Portland, Oregon. Her favorite aspect of her job as a veterinarian is educating, extending from clients to the many, many vet students that travel from all over the world to Oregon to learn about small ruminants. In her current role, Dr. Beamon has had the pleasure of mentoring visiting Tuskegee students. She is passionate about mentoring minority students, as African Americans represent only 2% of the entire veterinarian community, with representation as a mixed animal veterinarians at an even smaller percentage.

One of her many goals as a veterinarian is to create more opportunities for minority students to gain exposure to mixed animal medicine by eliminating the financial burdens of travel and lodging expenses through grants and scholarships. In addition to providing these opportunities to veterinary students, Dr. Beamon also has the dream of providing STEM based summer learning opportunities to the youth in her current community of Portland, and in her hometown of Memphis. Inspired by various mentors, Dr. Beamon plans to round out her veterinary career later in life as a mixed animal professor at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Zoom Option
If you are unable to join us in person, you can watch on zoom. You must register in advance using this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

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Questions? Email sciencepub@omsi.edu
Ticketing questions call 503.797.4000 x0