AVMA Excellence Awards

 

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Important dates

  • Nominations open: November 13, 2024
  • Nominations close: January 22, 2025
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AVMA awards FAQs

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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.

2024 AVMA Excellence Awards recipients

Public service and media

AVMA Public Service AwardDr. Joni Scheftel

Dr. Joni Scheftel
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AVMA Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award”Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori
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Animal health and welfare

AVMA Humane AwardDr. Janice Swanson

Dr. Janice Swanson
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AVMA Animal Welfare AwardDr. Debra Hickman

Dr. Debra Hickman
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Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year AwardDr. Zenithson Ng

Dr. Zenithson Ng
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Research

AVMA Career Achievement in Canine Research AwardDr. Jan Suchodolski

Dr. Jan Suchodolski
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AVMA Clinical Research AwardDr. Karen Tobias

Dr. Karen Tobias
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AVMA Lifetime Excellence in Research AwardDr. David Anderson

Dr. David Anderson
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AVMF Career Achievement in Feline Research AwardDr. Joshua Stern

Dr. Joshua Stern
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International affairs

AVMA Global Veterinary Service AwardDr. Catherine King

Dr. Cathy King
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Volunteerism and leadership

The AVMA AwardDr. George Bishop

Dr. George Bishop
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AVMA Meritorious Service AwardDr. Nash Carter

Dr. Craig Carter
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AVMA Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement AwardDr. Ruby Perry

Dr. Ruby Perry
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President's Award

President’s Award #1Dr. Leslie Stone
Dr. Les Stone
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President’s Award #2Dr. Michael Topper
Dr. Michael Topper
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President’s Award #3Kimberly Topper

Mrs. Kimberly Topper
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Previous award winners: 2023202220212020 | 2019