Brussels, 11th July 2025 – The World Veterinary Association (WVA) and Ceva Santé Animale (Ceva) are pleased to announce the winner of the One Health category in the prestigious WVA Global Veterinary Awards: Dr. Joni Scheftel, a pioneering public health veterinarian from the United States.
Dr. Scheftel has been recognised for her extraordinary contributions to advancing One Health principles throughout her distinguished four-decade career. Her dedication to antimicrobial stewardship, public health collaboration, and interdisciplinary leadership exemplifies the integrated approach required to address global health challenges.
A long-standing and active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Dr. Scheftel played a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the AVMA’s One Health initiatives, particularly during her six-year tenure (2016–2022) on the AVMA’s Committee on Antimicrobials (CoA), where she served first as Vice-Chair and later as Chair. In these leadership roles, Dr. Scheftel was instrumental in developing critical resources, including the AVMA’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Definition and Core Principles and the accompanying implementation Checklist, now widely used by veterinary practitioners.
Under her guidance, AVMA published the “Antimicrobial Resistant Pathogens Affecting Animal Health in the United States” report, which highlights the interconnected nature of antimicrobial resistance across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. This report, and Dr. Scheftel’s broader work, embody the One Health approach, emphasizing collaboration across disciplines to address the complex global threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Throughout her career, including her time with the Minnesota Department of Health and her academic contributions at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Scheftel has consistently demonstrated how veterinarians can lead in safeguarding health across species and environments.
Dr. Sandra Faeh, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association, commented:
“Dr. Joni Scheftel’s work reflects the very essence of One Health. Her leadership has not only advanced the profession’s understanding and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship but also set a global example for collaborative, cross-sectoral action in the face of complex health threats. We are proud to see her receive this well-deserved international recognition.”
One outstanding recipient among the winners will be named Veterinarian of the Year during the award ceremony in Washington DC.