AVMA Seeks Nominations for Prestigious Awards
Three of the most prestigious awards in veterinary medicine, animal welfare and human-animal interaction will be presented together this year at the annual convention of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). All three awards are made possible through the generous support of Merck Animal Health.
This will mark the first time in more than 30 years that the Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award, the AVMA Animal Welfare Award and the AVMA Humane Award will be presented together.
"Merck Animal Heath is proud to partner with AVMA to recognize leaders in the important areas of animal welfare, human animal interaction and companion animal medicine," said Dr. Linda Lord, academic and allied industry liaison, Merck Animal Health. "Our support of these awards demonstrates Merck Animal Health's longstanding partnership with the veterinary profession and our commitment to advancing the science of healthier animals."
"We're very excited to join these awards together under one critical effort," said Dr. Mike Topper, president of the AVMA. "Doing so allows us to highlight the diversity that these fields encompass and create a unique showcase of the best that veterinary medicine has to offer, while underscoring the importance and value of a 'One Health' perspective."
Nominations for the awards are due Thursday, Feb. 15. Winners will be announced during National Pet Week during the first full week of May. Dr. Topper will present the awards in July at the AVMA Annual Convention in Denver.
The backing of Merck Animal Health will provide a travel stipend to each award winner to attend the AVMA Convention, along with an honorarium to be used for support of a current program in development or to be directed to an organization or institution working in the winner's field of interest.
Named in honor of the late Leo K. Bustad, an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of human-animal interactions, the Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding work of veterinarians in preserving and protecting human-animal relationships. Visit the AVMA website to learn more about the award and how to submit a nomination.
The AVMA Animal Welfare Award is presented to an AVMA member veterinarian in recognition of their achievement in advancing the welfare of animals via leadership, public service, education, research/product development, and/or advocacy. By doing so, the AVMA raises public awareness of the important role veterinarians play in improving understanding of animal welfare-related science and ethics; ensuring that animal use for human purposes is conducted responsibly; and attending to and promoting animal welfare within the context of responsible animal use. Visit the AVMA website to learn more about the award and how to submit a nomination.
The important work of non-veterinarians in animal welfare is recognized through the AVMA Humane Award, which is presented to someone who has helped advance the welfare of animals through leadership, public service, education, research/product development, and/or advocacy. Visit the AVMA website to learn more about the award and how to submit a nomination.
For more information on the AVMA's Veterinary Excellence Awards program, visit avma.org/Awards, or contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA senior media relations specialist, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell) or msanfilippo@avma.org.
