AVMA veterinary media award recipient Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, reflects on his journey and the power of storytelling
Christman shares how he got into media, his ‘why,’ and offers advice to veterinarians or students wishing to become involved in media.
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA.
“Early in my career, I realized that so much of what we do in veterinary medicine never reaches the people who need it most,” Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, dynamic media figure, and chief veterinary officer for dvm360—an MJH Life Sciences brand—told dvm360. For Christman, this gap in access to information is what inspired him to step into the spotlight as a veterinary voice.
Now the recipient of the 2025 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award, Christman continues to use his voice to not only educate veterinary professionals and clients, but also to advocate for mental health for veterinary teams, promote diversity and inclusion, and raise awareness of the challenges of the profession.
On winning the award, Christman said, “This award is deeply meaningful because it recognizes something I believe in wholeheartedly: that clear, compassionate communication has the power to strengthen our profession and improve lives—animal and human alike. To be acknowledged alongside a trailblazer like Steve Dale is both humbling and energizing. It affirms that when we step beyond the walls of our practices to tell our stories, educate, and advocate, we can make veterinary medicine more visible, approachable, and impactful. And let’s face it—we all want to learn more about our pets and how to show up for them when they need us. It’s the very least we can do for all the love they provide us with.”
Christman shared that his media journey began on YouTube. “When YouTube first came to fruition, I started to use that platform while working both in shelter medicine and private practice on simple, digestible educational sound bites pet owners would be interested in,” Christman said. “Once social media grew, I started to help find lost pets find their owners. It was by this time, I knew I wanted to educate beyond the exam room. At the same time, I witnessed misinformation gaining ground while credible, practical insights sat in journals or behind clinic doors from my colleagues.
That disconnect motivated me to show up in public spaces—on social media, in the news, at conferences—to bridge the gap. Once I found my audience both in the virtual space and in person, I felt I was ‘home.’”
Christman told dvm360 that the journey has taught him that taking center stage is not about ego, but about service and responsibility. “My mentor and very good friend, Marty Becker, [DVM] has been instrumental in shaping the foundation of me understanding mainstream media,” he added.
Today, his media reach spans more than 2 million followers throughout TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Threads. In addition to speaking at national and international conferences, Christman is also the host of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360 for veterinary professionals and has appeared on Good Morning America, Fox Weather, the TODAY Show, The Steve Dale Radio Show, Z100 Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, and NJ 101.5. Moreover, he coauthored the book Honey, Have You Squeezed the Dachshund?, which walks pet owners through the process of caring for a dog with intervertebral disc disease, and authored a chapter in a book on veterinary practice management. His name can also be found in Reader’s Digest, Yahoo Lifestyle, Parade Magazine, and HuffPost.
One story Christman believes the veterinary profession needs to be more bold in telling is that of the challenges veterinary professionals face. “We still need to tell the truth about the realities of veterinary practice—especially the emotional toll and the resilience it demands,” Christman said, emphasizing that the topic is a conversation that is often missing from mainstream media.
“At the same time, we should be louder about the diversity of paths in veterinary medicine—public health, research, policy, industry, veterinary technician specialties, education—and how veterinary professionals contribute to One Health globally,” he added.
“Finally, we need to keep elevating stories that celebrate the human-animal bond in all communities, not just those traditionally highlighted. Visibility matters. Pet owners want to learn and feel empowered when they come to see us.”
According to Christman, his favorite part of using media is witnessing the moment a message resonates with someone, whether it be a pet owner or a veterinary professional. “Media allows us to scale empathy and expertise. It lets us show the public that veterinarians are scientists, healers, educators, and advocates. And it gives us the chance to humanize our work in a way that textbooks alone never will,” he emphasized.
Christman shared that his platform once inspired a 14-year-old boy to become a veterinarian—a story the boy’s mother shared with him during a chance encounter when he was on a trip to Orlando after recognizing him from TikTok. “That...[made] me realize the impact one can have when positively representing the profession,” Christman said.
For veterinarians or students wishing to become involved in media, advocacy, or public education, Christman offers this advice: “Don’t wait until you feel ‘ready.’”
“Start sharing your knowledge in small ways—write an article, record a video, or volunteer for a local news segment. The world needs credible voices, and you don’t have to be perfect to be helpful. You are the trusted subject matter expert. You never know when something is going to break with news in your community. Be prepared to act on it and don’t be nervous! Authenticity rules!
Also, learn the basics of storytelling and communication—what makes messages resonate, how to simplify without dumbing down, how to engage an audience with authenticity. I took a class on learning how to “land the plane.” Have you ever chatted with someone and they say “long story short” and it’s been 10 minutes? In media, you have about 10-15 seconds to effectively answer a question! Land that plane!
Finally, remember your “why.” If your motivation is to serve animals and the people who love them, your voice will carry further than you think. Do what makes you happy,” he shared.
Christman will be receiving his 2025 AVMA Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award during AVMA’s awards ceremony at the AVMA Convention in Washington, DC, on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
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