New AVMA DEI Award Named After Frederick Douglass Patterson

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Award Will Recognize Excellence in Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) April 26, 2023–The American Veterinary Medical Association today announced establishment of a new annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion honor, the Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement award, named after the trailblazing veterinarian and academic administrator.

The award will recognize excellence through innovative and transformative leadership in promoting DEI. Nominations are invited now until May 22 at www.avma.org/Awards.

“We want to recognize member veterinarians who have made significant contributions to the veterinary profession through advancing DEI,” said Dr. Lori Teller, AVMA President. “There is no better way to do this than by bestowing an annual award named after Dr. Patterson, who was such a visionary leader.”

The winner of the 2023 award will be announced at the AVMA’s Annual Convention, to be held July 14-18 in Denver.

Dr. Patterson (1901-1988) received his DVM degree in 1923 from Iowa State University and a PhD in 1931 from Cornell University. He became President of the Tuskegee Institute and oversaw its development into Tuskegee University. While President, Dr. Patterson founded both the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) in 1944.

For more information about the AVMA’s DEI initiatives, please visit www.journeyforteams.org  and www.avma.org/diversity.

About the AVMA

Serving more than 105,000 member veterinarians, the AVMA is the nation's leading representative of the veterinary profession, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of animals, humans and the environment. Founded in 1863 and with members in every U.S. state and territory and more than 60 countries, the AVMA is one of the largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. Informed by our members' unique scientific training and clinical knowledge, the AVMA supports the crucial work of veterinarians and advocates for policies that advance the practice of veterinary medicine and improve animal and human health.