AVMA won this year’s World Veterinary Day Award for its immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The association has developed an online resource center on COVID-19 that was first made available to veterinarians around the world in February 2020 – three weeks before the World Health Organization’s global pandemic declaration.
On behalf of AVMA, Drs. Janet Donlin, CEO of AVMA, and Douglas Kratt, outgoing AVMA President, accept the World Veterinary Day Award, which AVMA will receive on July 29th during the AVMA Virtual Convention 2021 for their response to COVID -19 pandemic. (Photo by R. Scott Nolen)
The WVA launched World Veterinary Day in 2000 as the annual festival of the veterinary professions, which takes place on the last Saturday in April. The World Veterinary Day Award, presented by the WVA and Health for Animals, the global association of veterinary drugs, recognizes the activities of a WVA member on this topic. The focus this year was on the veterinary response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Drs. Patricia Turner, WVA President, and Carel du Marchie Sarvaas, Executive Director of Health for Animals, virtually presented the award and $ 3,500 to Dr. Douglas Kratt, the AVMA President.
“During the global SARS-CoV-2 crisis and to the present day, AVMA has demonstrated outstanding national and international leadership in providing veterinarians around the world with critical information and resources to ensure the sustainability and continuity of the practice as well to ensure safety and public health, “said Dr. Gymnast.
Dr. Kratt thanked the groups for the award and said he was impressed with the work that AVMA’s 97,000 members across the country and AVMA staff have done during a crisis of historic proportions.
“We have teamed up with international colleagues to share information, new knowledge and best practices in responding to the pandemic,” said Dr. Kratt. “And the AVMA team worked tirelessly to support our members and educate the public about the developing disease and its impact on animal and human welfare.”
AVMA’s COVID-19 website continues to provide information for doctors and their customers, as well as reports on how veterinarians in the United States provided patient services, protected food supplies, and responded to COVID-19 with a one-health mentality.
AVMA also received the World Veterinary Day Award 2014 for developing an online hub on animal welfare.
