The theme of this year’s Global Health Summit (GHS) at the AVMA Convention 2024 in Austin, Texas, is “One Health.” This theme focuses on the myriad opportunities individual veterinarians have to make a significant impact in the field of One Health, whether through a career shift or simple lifestyle changes.
Event Details
The daylong summit will take place on Monday, June 24, starting at 9 a.m. Central at the Austin Convention Center. It offers up to six hours of in-person continuing education (CE) programming, designed to enhance veterinarians’ knowledge and skills in promoting One Health.
Featured Speakers and Topics
The summit will feature prominent speakers discussing various opportunities for veterinarians to advance One Health initiatives. They will share insights on their involvement in global projects and explore options beyond the typical voluntourism trips abroad. The goal is to highlight pathways for promoting global One Health that are both attainable and sustainable for veterinarians across different sectors of the profession. Attendees will gain valuable insights into determining the sustainability and positive impact of these opportunities within their local communities.
Keynote and Sessions
- 9 a.m. – “An Overview of Global One Health Opportunities for U.S. Veterinarians: From Student Days to Retirement”
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Christa Gallagher, Associate Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts. - 10 a.m. – “Responsible Volunteerism”
Speaker: Dr. Gary Vroegindewey, Director of the One Health Program at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine, Harrogate, Tennessee. - 1 p.m. – “How Can Busy U.S. Veterinarians Squeeze Global One Health Opportunities into Their Schedules—Volunteering Globally”
Speakers: Dr. Julia Wilson, Co-founder of the Equitarian Initiative; Dr. Catherine King, Founder of World Vets; Dr. Lonnie Kasman, Veterinarians International. - 2 p.m. – “Working Internationally”
Speakers: Dr. Neil Vezeau, a veterinarian in food safety at the wildlife-human interface in Hawaii; Dr. Sue Chadima, who has strengthened the animal health infrastructure in Afghanistan. - 3 p.m. – Panel Discussion: “Global Opportunities at the AVMA”
Featuring former AVMA Presidents Michael Topper and José Arce, among other veterinarians who have represented the AVMA on international and One Health organizations. - 4 p.m. – Audience-Interactive Panel Discussion: “Global Opportunities in One Health”
All summit speakers will participate in this engaging question-and-answer session.
Networking Reception
Following the educational program, the GHS networking reception will be held, celebrating the 2024 recipients of the AVMA Global Veterinary Service Award and the AVMA Public Service Award.
By attending the GHS, veterinarians will discover practical and impactful ways to integrate One Health principles into their professional and personal lives, contributing to global health and sustainability.
