Award recognizes DVM's global impact on profession

Philadelphia - 4/18/08 - The Penn Vet World Award, created to honor veterinarians who have spurred practice change and profession recognition, and influenced the lives and careers of others, was given to Dr. Bernard Vallat, general-director of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine also awarded $100,000 to Vallat, who has changed the practice and image of veterinary medicine throughout the world, says Dr. Joan C. Hendricks, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine.

"The work of the veterinary profession and veterinary services are now recognized as a global public good. Support for them in developing and transitional countries is a priority, not only to promote development around the world, but also to protect the world against the spread and the re-emergence of animal diseases and zoonoses," says Vallat, now in his second five-year term as head of the organization.

In an effort to link human and animal health, OIE has supported the sharing of scientific information and veterinary efforts to advance food safety and animal welfare.

The school also named two recipients of the first-ever Penn Vet Student Inspiration Award, which provided $100,000 to Rachel Toaff-Rosenstein and Warren Waybright, both third-year students.

Underwritten by the Vernon and Shirley Hill Foundation, the awards were presented April 29. Winners were selected by a jury representing the school, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes of Health, American Veterinary Medical Association and World Veterinary Association, among others.