Dr. Steven Budsberg named recipient of 2021 AVMA Career Achievement in Canine Research Award
(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) July 29, 2021—The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) today named Dr. Steven Budsberg, professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, as the winner of the 2021 AVMA Career Achievement in Canine Research Award.
This award honors an AVMA member's long-term contribution to the field of canine research. The AVMA Council on Research selects the recipient.
“Dr. Budsberg has dedicated his career to advancing dogs' health and welfare and making a significant impact on canine health, which has led to international recognition for his contributions to canine orthopedics and evaluating lameness and motion in dogs,” said Dr. Douglas Kratt, president of the AVMA. “His research has helped transform the veterinary profession and improve the lives of countless dogs, and he is truly deserving of this most prestigious award.”
Dr. Budsberg’s research has had an enormous impact in the field of veterinary orthopedics and canine pain management. He was among the first to champion the use of evidenced-based medicine for developing novel treatments for osteoarthritis in veterinary patients, and led the promotion of computerized gait analysis as a scientific tool to measure outcomes accurately and objectively in canine patients treated for osteoarthritis. He has also employed a novel synovitis model to evaluate numerous anti-inflammatory drugs used to manage pain in dogs with joint disease. Many of these drugs are now common in the veterinary profession and used around the world to treat canine osteoarthritis and manage pain in dogs.
Dr. Budsberg has published more than 130 peer-reviewed papers and 120 abstracts and has conducted and published reports of key prospective clinical studies in veterinary orthopedics. He has published over 25 manuscripts addressing osteoarthritis and anti-inflammatory medication, which have substantially advanced the practice of veterinary medicine.
In addition to his own research, Dr. Budsberg has promoted canine research through his service as Research Committee chairman for AO International and on the boards of AO Vet North America and the Veterinary Orthopedic Society. He served as chairman of the AVMA’s Council on Research and president of the Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Association. He has also mentored other scientists engaged in canine health research, including seven research fellows, seven PhD students, and numerous surgery residents and master’s students.
For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, media relations manager, at 847-732-6194 (cell) or msanfilippo
avma [dot] org (msanfilippo[at]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.