AVMA Global Veterinary Service Award winner honored for linking animal, human health in Afghanistan
(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) July 2, 2025—The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) today named Dr. Susan Chadima, a Maine-based veterinarian who has worked for decades to strengthen Afghanistan’s animal health infrastructure, as the winner of the 2025 AVMA Global Veterinary Service Award.
The Global Veterinary Service Award was established initially as the XIIth International Veterinary Congress Prize after the 1934 International Veterinary Congress (former name of the World Veterinary Association), to recognize outstanding service by an AVMA member who has contributed to international understanding of veterinary medicine. It was renamed in 2019 in honor of the visionary international leadership exemplified by Dr. René Carlson and Dr. Leon Russell, both past presidents of the AVMA and World Veterinary Association. The AVMA Committee on International Veterinary Affairs selects the recipient.
"It has been a great privilege to work with dedicated veterinary professionals in a country with complex challenges," said Dr. Chadima. "The connection between improved animal health and its impacts on human health and economic livelihoods is especially important in Afghanistan."
Dr. Chadima first traveled to Afghanistan in 2005, drawn by a desire to contribute her skills to post-war reconstruction efforts. What began as a six-week volunteer trip evolved into a 20-year commitment to mentoring Afghan veterinarians and paraprofessionals, rebuilding infrastructure and guiding public health policy. Her roles have included serving as an external consultant for the Dutch Committee for Afghanistan (DCA), team leader of the EU-funded Animal Health Development Programme and clinical advisor to animal rescue groups such as Nowzad, Tigger House and Kabul Small Animal Rescue.
Her achievements include contributions to the creation of national disease control strategies—including work on Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)—as well as legislative efforts for the Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health Act. She has helped train countless veterinary professionals through support to Kabul University and the country’s Veterinary Field Unit system, improving both livestock and human health.
Dr. Chadima has previously been recognized with the Rotary International "Service Above Self" Award (February 2016), the Stange Award – Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine (2005), the Maine Veterinary Medical Association – 2013 Veterinary Service Award, the Rotary International, District 7780 Ambassador of Peace Award (2012), the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Maine – 2010 Achievement Award and the Paul Harris Fellow – Rotary International for International Service (2009).
"Dr. Chadima has devoted two decades to strengthening veterinary services, public health and animal welfare in one of the world’s most challenging environments," said Dr. Sandra Faeh, president of the AVMA. "Her leadership, compassion and unwavering commitment to animal health and veterinary capacity building in Afghanistan embody the spirit of this award and the veterinary profession’s highest ideals."
To learn more about the AVMA Global Veterinary Service Award and past recipients, visit www.avma.org/awards.
For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, senior media relations manager, at 847-732-6194 (cell/text) or msanfilippo
avma [dot] org (msanfilippo[at]avma[dot]org).
Serving more than 108,000 member veterinarians, the AVMA is the nation's leading representative of the veterinary profession, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of animals, humans and the environment. Founded in 1863 and with members in every U.S. state and territory and more than 60 countries, the AVMA is one of the largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. Informed by our members' unique scientific training and clinical knowledge, the AVMA supports the crucial work of veterinarians and advocates for policies that advance the practice of veterinary medicine and improve animal and human health.