Mahr champions 'one health' as AVMA president

HONOLULU — In his inaugural address, Dr. Roger Mahr announced plans to create partnerships with outside professions, coordinate a national summit and establish an action plan to promote "one world, one health, one medicine."

Hammer time: Defeating Charles Stoltenow, Delaware's Dr. Greg Hammer became the association's president-elect.

The new AVMA president outlined his strategy before the association's House of Delegates (HOD), which met last month for the AVMA annual convention.

Globalization and zoonotic disease makes "one health" vital to food, drug and disease safety as well as the value of veterinary medicine, Mahr says. In his speech, he continues the theme by proposing the establishment of a National Commission for the One Health Initiative, charged with executing the One Health Action Plan.

"It's imperative now more than ever that the AVMA take a leadership role in the veterinary profession," he says. "Animal health is truly at a crossroads. It's convergence with human and ecosystem health dictates that the 'one world, one health, one medicine' concept must be embraced. We need our colleagues in human medicine, public health and the environmental health sciences. Together we can accomplish more in improving global health than we can alone — and we have the responsibility to do so."

Hammer wins president-elect

Promising to promote Mahr's goals, Dr. Greg Hammer has earned the title of American Veterinary Medical Association president-elect.

DVM Newsbreak

The vote by HOD members ends a rare contested race for the seat with Dr. Charles Stoltenow, North Dakota State University extension veterinarian and former House Advisory Committee chairman.

Taking the stage with his wife, Karen, the small animal practitioner from Delaware thanked his family and colleagues and publicly recognized his opponent for his hard work to attain the seat.

"From the bottom of my heart, this is a very humbling experience," Hammer says. "I will do my best to represent you, represent AVMA and represent this profession."

Cook jumps in

Dr. James Cook announced his candidacy for next year's president-elect position.

Cook, whose term on the board expires next summer, identified animal welfare, economics and education as imminent issues for the profession. The Kentucky mixed animal practitioner has been involved in AVMA politics since becoming his home state's delegate in 2001.

At presstime, he was uncontested for the 2008-2009 presidential seat.

Little retires

The election news failed to overshadow an announcement that longtime Executive Vice President Dr. Bruce Little's pending retirement in December 2007 (see related story).

Little made no formal statement during the HOD meeting but received a standing ovation.

"Dr. Little's leadership over the past 10 years has been key to establishing the stature of the AVMA to one of greatness ... as recognized throughout the world," Mahr says. "As colleagues we can be justly proud of the great accomplishments of the AVMA under Dr. Little's leadership. Dr. Little, you, too, can look with pride on your outstanding achievements on behalf of the AVMA and the veterinary profession."