Respondents to an American College of Veterinary Surgeons diplomate survey support the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

OBJECTIVE: To objectively measure the current demographic makeup of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) diplomates and to develop a survey tool to be used as a metric to measure future changes in the ACVS demographic profile. SAMPLE: 737 ACVS diplomates. METHODS: A 14-item electronic survey was sent to 2,199 ACVS diplomates between August 25 and September 9, 2021, via email. Survey items included demographic information as well as perceptions about the ACVS and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Responses were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 34% (737/2,199). The median age category among respondents was 45 to 54. The median years in practiceas a diplomate was 11 to 15. The majority of respondents identified as white/Caucasian and heterosexual, with male and female respondents being similarly represented. Most respondents identified English as their first language. Few considered themselves first-generation college graduates or identified as disabled. Many respondents considered DEl to be an important initiative to promote in the ACVS. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findingssuggested that the majority of ACVS respondentsaresupportive of DEI efforts. Thisstudyalsoserves as an objective analysis that can be reassessed in the future to determine the success of such initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]