Dr. David Castellan receives 2020 AVMA Global Veterinary Service Award
(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) Aug. 20, 2020—The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) today honored Dr. David Castellan as the winner of the 2020 AVMA Global Veterinary Service Award.
The award recognizes outstanding service by a member of the AVMA who has contributed to international understanding of veterinary medicine.
“This year has shown the world as never before the importance of global veterinary medicine and epidemiology,” said Dr. Douglas Kratt, president of the AVMA. “This critical area of our profession bears the weight of protecting public health and our food supply, and Dr. Castellan’s expertise has led to many advances in high-impact global programs.”
Dr. Castellan is a veterinary epidemiologist with the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases at Texas A&M University. In this unprecedented pandemic year, his expertise is particularly relevant.
His work has advanced public health educational programs, poultry disease analysis, emergency disease management, risk analysis and disease surveillance analysis. In addition, he has helped achieve productivity through animal health, food safety and preventative veterinary medicine both locally and globally. His tools and methods have been critical to preserving animal and human health, assisting in emergency situations and preventing disease outbreaks.
Dr. Castellan has contributed to the veterinary profession in more than 25 countries, including North America, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.
Dr. Castellan received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Guelph and a Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Poultry Medicine Residency, University of California, Davis. He is board-certified with the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and the American College of Poultry Veterinarians.
The Global Veterinary Service Award was established initially as the XIIth International Veterinary Congress Prize from funds remaining after the 1934 International Veterinary Congress to recognize outstanding service by a member of the AVMA 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 WVA.
For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, media relations manager, at 847-732-6194 (cell) or msanfilippo
avma [dot] org.
Serving more than 100,000 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.