Dr. Anthony Fauci to address AVMA Virtual Convention attendees

The final day of AVMA’s upcoming virtual convention promises to be a special one! Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), will deliver a special video briefing about COVID-19 and the impact of animal health on human health to all attendees prior to the closing session.

“We are delighted and honored to have Dr. Fauci share this update on COVID-19 and One Health with our members on the closing day of our first-ever virtual gathering,” said Dr. Doug Kratt, AVMA president. Nearly 3,000 veterinarians are registered for the August 20-22 convention, which was moved online because of the pandemic.

“Veterinary professionals have done a remarkable job stepping up and contributing in countless ways to assist our nation during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Kratt said. “Veterinarians on the front lines have cared for animals, donated personal protective equipment, provided services to those who need it most, and made essential contributions to research that helps medical science understand the virus.”

Dr. Fauci’s address to AVMA Virtual Convention attendees will take place on Saturday, August 22.

Dr. Fauci, who was appointed director of NIAID in 1984, oversees an extensive portfolio of basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose, and treat established infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, malaria, and emerging diseases such as Ebola and Zika. NIAID also supports research on transplantation and immune-related illnesses, including autoimmune disorders, asthma and allergies. Dr. Fauci has made many contributions to basic and clinical research on the pathogenesis and treatment of immune-mediated and infectious diseases.

Dr. Fauci has advised six U.S. presidents on HIV/AIDS and many other domestic and global health issues. He has made seminal contributions to the understanding of how HIV destroys the body's defenses and has been instrumental in developing treatments that enable people with HIV to live long and active lives. He continues to devote much of his research to the immunopathogenic mechanisms of HIV infection and the scope of the body's immune responses to HIV.

Dr. Fauci is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest honor given to a civilian by the President of the United States), the National Medal of Science, the George M. Kober Medal of the Association of American Physicians, the Mary Woodard Lasker Award for Public Service, the Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research, the Robert Koch Gold Medal, the Prince Mahidol Award, and the Canada Gairdner Global Health Award.

Register now: AVMA Virtual Convention

There’s still time to attend the AVMA Virtual Convention. Attendees will have access to nearly 150 hours of continuing education (CE) courses, plus fun and inspiring social and networking events – such as:

• Virtual lip sync contest at the Live Life, Love All kickoff celebration
• Battle of the Bands
• Alumni receptions and happy hour
• Keynote and closing addresses with award-winning author and media personality Patrice Washington; Queer Eye's Karamo Brown; and best-selling author Adam Grant
• Exhibit hall featuring the latest innovations in veterinary medicine
• Virtual 5k race

All sessions will remain available to attendees on demand through December.