Skip to Content Skip to Footer

WesternU veterinary dean honored for public policy advocacy

by Rodney Tanaka

December 18, 2015

Read 2 mins

nelson_phillip3
College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Phillip Nelson, DVM, PhD

Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Phillip Nelson, DVM, PhD, is the recipient of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) 2016 Senator John Melcher, DVM Leadership in Public Policy Award.

The award, established in 2007, is given to current or former faculty, staff, or students at an AAVMC member institution to recognize leadership in public policy that advances veterinary medical education and success in advocating for veterinary medical education on a national or international scale.

Dr. Nelson has been very active in the AAVMC’s advocacy efforts, serving on numerous committees, including the Advocacy Committee. Through the AAVMC, he has participated in “Hill” visits for more than a decade, developing relationships with governmental decision makers and lobbying Congress to address pressing issues such as the Veterinary Medical Student Loan Repayment Program.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award,” Nelson said.

The award is one of four that recognize various dimensions of excellence and professional achievement in academic veterinary medicine. The awards were announced today, Dec. 18, 2015, by AAVMC.

The awards will officially be presented at the AAVMC’s 2016 Annual Conference, March 4-6, 2016, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. This year’s conference, themed “50 & Forward,” is a special conference commemorating the AAVMC’s 50th anniversary.

“The AAVMC is always pleased to recognize outstanding educators in academic veterinary medicine,” said AAVMC Executive Director Dr. Andrew Maccabe. “These are extraordinary people who exemplify excellence and inspire others through their commitment and visionary dedication to academic veterinary medicine.”

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect and improve the health and welfare of animals, people and the environment around the world by advancing academic veterinary medicine. Members include 49 accredited veterinary medical colleges in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. Click here to read more.

 

Recommended Stories