Award recognizes DVMs global impact on profession

PHILADELPHIA — The Penn Vet World Award — created to honor veterinarians who have spurred practice change and profession recognition, and influenced the lives and careers of others — was presented to Dr. Bernard Vallat, director-general of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine also awarded $100,000 to Vallat, who has changed the practice and image of veterinary medicine throughout the world, says Dr. Joan C. Hendricks, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine.

"The work of the veterinary profession and veterinary services are now recognized as a global public good. Support for them in developing and transitional countries is a priority, not only to promote development around the world, but to protect the world against the spread and re-emergence of animal diseases and zoonoses," says Vallat, now in his second five-year term as head of WOAH.

Linking human and animal health, WOAH supports the sharing of scientific data and veterinary efforts to advance food safety and animal welfare.

The first Penn Vet Student Inspiration Award provided $100,000 to Rachel Toaff-Rosenstein and Warren Waybright, both third-year students. The awards were underwritten by the Vernon and Shirley Hill Foundation.

Winners were selected by a jury representing the school, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes of Health, American Veterinary Medical Association and World Veterinary Association, among others.