AVMA Excellence Awards
Important dates
- Nominations open: November 13, 2024
- Nominations close: January 22, 2025
AVMA awards FAQs
Questions about the awards or the nomination and selection process? Get answers to frequently asked questions.
See the 2024 award recipients
The veterinary profession thrives with esteemed colleagues who have dedicated themselves and their careers to a diverse range of disciplines—agriculture, public health, humane education, animal welfare, clinical practice and research, government activities, professional education, and more.
The AVMA Excellence Awards honor these individuals for their contributions to both animal and human health. These annual awards recognize excellence in every aspect of veterinary medicine. They honor educators, researchers, clinical practitioners, veterinary advocates, and those who are not veterinarians but whose work has contributed significantly to advancing veterinary medicine. The variety of awards showcases the breadth of veterinary medicine, the diversity of veterinary careers, and the many ways in which veterinary professionals protect both animal and human health.
AVMA recognizes individuals with awards spanning the following areas:
- Public service and media
- Animal health and welfare
- Research
- International affairs
- Volunteerism and leadership
All award recipients are presented with a crystal award celebrating their achievements, and honored in a press release and on the AVMA website and social media.
Public service and media awards
Animal health and welfare awards
Research awards
International affairs award
Volunteerism and leadership awards
2024 AVMA Excellence Awards recipients
Public service and mediaAVMA Public Service AwardDr. Joni Scheftel |
AVMA Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award”Gina Spadafori |
Animal health and welfareAVMA Humane AwardDr. Janice Swanson |
AVMA Animal Welfare AwardDr. Debra Hickman |
Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year AwardDr. Zenithson Ng |
ResearchAVMA Career Achievement in Canine Research AwardDr. Jan Suchodolski |
AVMA Clinical Research AwardDr. Karen Tobias |
AVMA Lifetime Excellence in Research AwardDr. David Anderson |
AVMF Career Achievement in Feline Research AwardDr. Joshua Stern |
International affairsAVMA Global Veterinary Service AwardDr. Cathy King |
Volunteerism and leadershipThe AVMA AwardDr. George Bishop |
AVMA Meritorious Service AwardDr. Craig Carter |
AVMA Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement AwardDr. Ruby Perry |
President's AwardPresident’s Award #1Dr. Les StoneView recognition video Read press release |
President’s Award #2Dr. Michael TopperView recognition video Read press release |
President’s Award #3Mrs. Kimberly Topper |