Conference Insider: AVMA summit will spotlight veterinary innovation

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) will focus on practical innovation across global veterinary medicine at the AVMA Global Health Summit on July 13, 2026. The daylong summit at the AVMA Convention 2026— held July 10-14, 2026, in Anaheim, California—offers attendees the opportunity to earn up to 6 hours of in-person continuing education (CE) credits. Sessions will address technology, antimicrobial stewardship, sustainability, One Health communication, paraprofessional care, and the expanding influence of veterinary specialists, according to the organization.^1,2

“This year’s theme is a reflection of how quickly many areas within the profession are changing, and as a chance to cover those emerging issues throughout the daylong summit,” Shannon Mesenhowski, chair of the AVMA Committee on International Veterinary Affairs, said in the AVMA announcement.¹ “Using the global veterinary profession as the umbrella, there will be sessions on the challenges like global workforce issues, antimicrobial resistance, practice sustainability, and education; and then what solutions are on the horizon, including tools and innovations like artificial intelligence (AI), collaborative models for delivering care, and lessons from other countries and regions.”

Lori Teller, DVM, executive director of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, will open the summit at 8 am Pacific Time with “Innovation to Address Global Challenges in Veterinary Medicine,” a presentation on the influence of telemedicine, AI, and other technologies on veterinary medicine. At 9 am, Heather Fowler, VMD, PhD, MPH, producer and public health director for the National Pork Board, will present “Sustainability,” a talk on sustainability in animal practices, and the challenges of global regulations, supply-chain frameworks and environmental obstacles.¹

The 10 am session, “Connecting Wildlife Conservation, Illicit Trade Migration, and Spillover Disease Surveillance,” will be led by Chelsea Van Thof, DVM, assistant state veterinarian and animal health section officer for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The presentation will examine how AI and electronic monitoring systems are being tested and used to improve monitoring and assessment of wildlife populations and disease status. At 1 pm, a panel of representatives from the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, and the AVMA will discuss “Antimicrobial Stewardship Across Continents.”¹

The 2 pm presentation, “One Health & Public Health Communications: Global Considerations and Capacity Building for Veterinary Medical Education,” will be delivered by Sanaa Zaki, PhD, BVSc (Hons), associate professor at the University of Sydney, and Elpida Artemiou, PhD, MSc, professor of veterinary communications at the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine. Their talk will emphasize the need for stronger veterinary clinical communication and professional training in public health and risk communication. At 3 pm, Neil Vezeau, DVM, MPH, assistant professor of epidemiology and One Health at Lincoln Memorial University–Orange Park College of Veterinary Medicine and CIVA chair, will present “Squaring the Circle: How to Integrate Paraprofessional Care into Global Veterinary Work,” a session on how veterinary paraprofessionals can support animal health and welfare, public health, and community trust through transparent and compassionate communication.¹

The final CE session, “Specialists Without Borders: Unlocking the Connective Power of Excellence,” will begin at 4 pm with Julie Rosser, DVM, PhD, CEO for the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation, and Jane Sykes, BVSc (Hons), PhD, MPH, MBA, professor at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and a board-certified small animal internal medicine specialist, presenting. They will discuss how veterinary specialists can translate expertise into advocacy, participate more visibly in workforce and policy conversations, and engage in professional governance.¹

The Global Health Networking Reception will follow, from 5:30 pm to 7 pm, in Ballroom D at the Hilton Anaheim. The reception will recognize the 2026 recipients of the AVMA Global Veterinary Service Award and the AVMA Public Service Award.¹

Caring for animals the Disney way

The AVMA Convention’s close proximity to theme parks in Anaheim—Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure—is fitting for the 2026 keynote address. Mark Penning, BVSc, who is retiring from the Walt Disney Company as vice president of animals, science and environment for Disney Experiences, will deliver the 2026 AVMA Convention keynote.²

Penning, who begin a new role as director at North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro this summer, will provide insights on how animals are cared for at Walt Disney World in Lake Beuna Vista, Florida, including those residing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Disney’s EPCOT park. His talk will also feature the work Disney is doing to protect wildlife around the world, including sea turtles, lions and coral.^2,3

References

1. Nolen RS. Innovation takes center stage at AVMA Global Health Summit. News release. AVMA News. May 26, 2026. Accessed June 8, 2026. https://www.avma.org/news/innovation-takes-center-stage-avma-global-health-summit
2. Meet our keynote speaker: Dr. Mark Penning. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed June 8, 2026. https://www.avma.org/events/avma-convention
3. Dr. Mark Penning named director of North Carolina Zoo. North Carolina Zoo. Accessed June 8, 2026. https://www.nczoo.org/news/dr-mark-penning-named-director-north-carolina-zoo