Mahr one-health professorship established at Iowa State
An endowed professorship has been created in Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine through a gift from a former AVMA president, Dr. Roger Mahr, and his wife, Marilyn.
The Dr. Roger and Marilyn Mahr Professorship in One Health will further empower Iowa State with visionary leadership to promote and help facilitate innovative, multidisciplinary collaboration that embraces the university’s land grant mission, according to a March 21 statement from the university.
One health is the collaborative effort of multiple health science professions and their related disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally to attain optimal health for people, animals, and the environment.
Dr. Mahr, a small animal practitioner from St. Charles, Illinois, served as 2006-2007 AVMA president. During his presidency, he expressed his vision for the One Health Initiative, which the AVMA established in collaboration with the American Medical Association in 2007.
“Iowa State’s land grant mission, which focuses on collaborative education, research, and outreach, is truly consistent with the one-health approach,” said Dr. Mahr, a 1971 Iowa State veterinary graduate. “This professorship will inform all audiences, including students, faculty, and researchers, about the importance of transcending institutional and disciplinary boundaries and transform the way human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health professionals work together to improve the health of all living things and the environment worldwide.”
The Mahrs have long supported Iowa State’s One Health initiative. The College of Veterinary Medicine’s One Health Lectureship Series was established in 2011 in honor of Dr. Mahr as he served as the CEO of the One Health Commission, which was headquartered at Iowa State from 2011-2013.
The Mahr Professorship in One Health will also coordinate Iowa State’s one-health courses and training opportunities, promote and illustrate the importance and value of the one-health approach, and pursue innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for Iowa State to lead, connect, and engage in various one-health agendas.
Related JAVMA content:
Mahr calls for 'one health' initiative (Sept. 1, 2006)