AVMA Excellence Awards

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Your nominations help the AVMA reward excellence. Review descriptions of each award, and consider which of your colleagues deserve recognition for their work. Nominations for 2025 awards have closed, but it's never too soon to consider future nominees.
Important dates
- Notification of recipients: February/March 2025
AVMA awards FAQs
Questions about the awards or the nomination and selection process? Get answers to frequently asked questions.
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, 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
- Animal health and welfare
- Research
- International affairs
- Volunteerism and leadership
- Media
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 award
Animal health and welfare awards
Research awards
International affairs award
Volunteerism and leadership awards
Media award
2024 AVMA Excellence Awards recipients
Public service and mediaAVMA Public Service Award
![]() Dr. Joni Scheftel |
AVMA Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award”
![]() Gina Spadafori |
Animal health and welfareAVMA Humane Award
![]() Dr. Janice Swanson |
AVMA Animal Welfare Award
![]() Dr. Debra Hickman |
AVMA Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award
![]() Dr. Zenithson Ng |
ResearchAVMA Career Achievement in Canine Research Award
![]() Dr. Jan Suchodolski |
AVMA Clinical Research Award
![]() Dr. Karen Tobias |
AVMA Lifetime Excellence in Research Award
![]() Dr. David Anderson |
AVMF Career Achievement in Feline Research Award
![]() Dr. Joshua Stern |
International affairsAVMA Global Veterinary Service Award
![]() Dr. Cathy King |
Volunteerism and leadershipThe AVMA Award
![]() Dr. George Bishop |
AVMA Meritorious Service Award
![]() Dr. Craig Carter |
AVMA Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award
![]() Dr. Ruby Perry |
President's AwardPresident’s Award #1
Dr. Les Stone![]() View recognition video Read press release |
President’s Award #2
Dr. Michael Topper![]() View recognition video Read press release |
President’s Award #3
![]() Mrs. Kimberly Topper |