Mahr appointed to lead One Health Commission

Schaumburg, Ill.

-- Dr. Roger Mahr, former American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA) president, has been named chief executive officer of the One Health Commission.

The One Health Initiative began in 2006 and was championed by Mahr during his presidency. In 2007, the American Medical Association joined the initiative and its steering committee had nearly 20 participating animal, human and environmental health organizations as members.

With the formation of a formal commission, the One Health goal now includes participation from the American Society for Microbiology, the Association of Academic Health Centers, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, the American Public Health Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Mahr was appointed to his new leadership position Aug. 14 at the commission’s first board of directors meeting in Washington, D.C. A national summit is in the works this fall, and plans to conduct a National Academies study on bridging the medical disciplines over the next year.