American Veterinary One Health Society– July 21, 2025

Event

The American Veterinary One Health Society (AVOHS) presented awards and conducted business at its annual awards breakfast on July 21 in Washington, D.C.

Awards

AVOHS Karl F. Meyer-James H. Steele Gold Headed Cane Award, sponsored by Hartz Mountain Corp.

Drs. Casey Barton-Behravesh (Texas A&M '05), Atlanta, and Andrew Maccabe (Ohio State '85), Washington, D.C, won this award in recognition of their outstanding leadership and career contributions in animal health and human health, in the spirit of One Health. A captain in the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), Dr. Barton-Behravesh serves as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) One Health Office. She has been instrumental in building the One Health program while developing important partnerships to elevate the office to be a leader in the approach. Dr. Barton-Behravesh is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (ACVPM).

A retired colonel in the United States Air Force Medical Service's Biomedical Science Corps, Dr. Maccabe is the global vice president for health care education at Mars Veterinary Health. He previously served more than a decade as CEO for the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. Before that, Dr. Maccabe was a liaison at the CDC, coordinating policies and programs between the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration.

AVOHS Above and Beyond Public Health Service Award, sponsored by Hartz Mountain Corp.

Dr. Cynthia Hoobler (Texas A&M '79), Friendswood, Texas. A diplomate of the ACVPM, Dr. Hoobler is an officer in the Reserve Corps of the USPHS. She was recognized for her contributions to public health and for serving as a pro bono wellness assistant and caregiver for Dr. James H. and Brigitte Steele for more than 30 years.

AVOHS Early Career Professional Achievement Award, sponsored by Hartz Mountain Corp.

Dr. Amandine Gamble, Ithaca, New York. A 2016 graduate of Alfort National Veterinary School in France, Dr. Gamble is an assistant professor in the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. She was recognized for her virtual seminar presentation, "Using a One Health Approach to Understand Threats to Wildlife and Human Health in the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Regions," focusing on the recent incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, specifically H5N1) in sea birds in the Antarctic region and the ecological impacts of that event.

AVOHS Honorary Diplomates

Phil Arkow, Etowah, North Carolina; Dr. Katherine Benedict, Atlanta; Dr. Diego Diel, Ithaca, New York; Dr. Kimberly Dodd, East Lansing, Michigan; Dr. Michael Fox, Kansas City, Missouri; Dr. Michael Neafsey, Holly Springs, North Carolina; Dr. Angela Pelzel-McCluskey, Fort Collins, Colorado; Dr. Justin Schlanser, Fort Meade, Maryland; Dr. Alexander Travis, Ithaca, New York; and Dr. Alexander Zingher, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania

Business

The late Drs. Ade Ojeniyi, George Beran, and Konrad Eugster were memorialized at the meeting. A biography of Dr. James H. Steele, "Animal Health, Human Health, One Health: The Life and Legacy of Dr. James H. Steele," is sold online and at other booksellers. All proceeds go to the society to help sustain future programs. The society's website can be accessed to follow recent AVOHS activities, learn about the history of the organization, and make a donation to support programs.

Officials

Dr. Karen Becker, Richmond, Virginia, president; Dr. Jack Shere, Washington, D.C, immediate past president; Dr. John Poppe, San Antonio, executive director; and board members-Dr. Craig Carter, Lexington, Kentucky; Dr. Ron DeHaven, El Dorado Hills, California; Dr. Bernadette Dunham, Hume, Virginia; Keith Goldman, Secaucus, New Jersey; Laura Kahn, MD, Princeton, New Jersey; Dr. Bruce Kaplan, Sarasota, Florida; Dr. Lonnie King, Columbus, Ohio; and Dr. William Stokes, Apex, North Carolina