AVMA remembers Dr. Ronald Davis, a 'One Health' visionary  Dr. Ron Davis engages One Health Task Force participants in a dialogue on working together to protect the health and welfare of people, animals and the environment.Schaumburg, Ill. — The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is deeply saddened to hear of the passing Nov. 6, 2008, of a respected friend and colleague, Ronald M. Davis, MD, former president of the American Medical Association (AMA).
Dr. Davis' passion for medicine transcended species and brought together human and animal doctors in an effort to improve the health of all the world's creatures. Known as the One Health Initiative, this partnership was made possible largely due to Dr. Davis' insight, involvement and encouragement.
His support of and steady commitment to the One Health Initiative was instrumental in forging a relationship between the AMA and the AVMA. The AVMA admires Dr. Davis' advocacy, his engagement and his commitment to increased collaboration between physicians and veterinarians.
Roger K. Mahr, DVM, championed the One Health Initiative from the moment he assumed the role of AVMA president in July 2006. Mahr envisioned a national commission uniting veterinary and human medicine with the goal of improving and protecting animal and public health worldwide. While Dr. Mahr's AVMA presidency ended in 2007, the One Health Initiative continues to make progress, gaining more members and funding along the way.
"One of the most rewarding relationships I established during my AVMA presidency was with Dr. Ronald Davis," Dr. Mahr said. "When I first contacted Ron, and shared my vision for a One Health Initiative, he replied, 'I'm primed for that, because I'm currently the primary investigator on a project at the Henry Ford Health System that is evaluating the effects of secondhand smoke on pets."
That connection, according to Dr. Mahr, evolved into much more over the short time the two men had to get to know each other.
"I am very grateful for the meaningful personal and professional relationship which Ron and I developed that allowed us to articulate our collective vision for One Health," Dr. Mahr said. "It was heartening for both of us that a significant collaborative relationship was achieved between the AMA and AVMA, and to see those collaborative efforts further evolving among multiple disciplines throughout the world.
"I will forever cherish that relationship, and value the inspiration that Ron's life of committed service has provided to so many."
According to Larry R. Anderson, DVM, MD, the AMA representative to the One Health Initiative Task Force, "Dr. Ron Davis was indeed 'one of a kind' and will not be replaced. We all must rededicate ourselves to assure the success of Ron's legacy of commitment to international health, including the One Health Initiative goal to 'attain optimal health for humans, animals and the environment.' "
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The AVMA and its more than 76,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal, human and public health. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org for more information.
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