2023 WSAVA Global Meritorious Service Award Recipient Announced as American Veterinarian Dr Laurel Kaddatz
Dr Laurel Kaddatz, a veterinarian from Florida, USA, is to receive the WSAVA 2023 Award for Global Meritorious Service in recognition of his service to his local community and to the veterinary profession at regional, national, and global level. The Award recognizes an individual veterinarian, who, in the opinion of the judges has contributed meritorious service to the veterinary profession. Dr Kaddatz will receive his award during this year’s WSAVA World Congress, which takes place from 27-29 September in Lisbon, Portugal.
An early contributor to veterinary associations, Dr Kaddatz served as president of the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) while at veterinary school at the University of Minnesota. Later in his career, as President of the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), he represented the association at international congresses, including those in China and the UK. In 2011, when the AVMA became a member of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), he was appointed as its first Member Representative, heralding an era during which the AVMA became more international in its outlook.
Dr Kaddatz gradually became more deeply involved with the WSAVA, serving as Chair of its Financial Advisory Committee and serving as Treasurer of the WSAVA’s charitable Foundation – a role he still holds.
During his long career, he has also contributed to many regional veterinary associations in the USA, including serving as:
- A member of the Board of Directors and President of the Wayne County Humane Society
- A member of the Board of Directors of the Humane Society of Rochester and Monroe County
- President of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society
· A member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University.
· A member of the Special Committee on Animals and the Law at the New York State Bar Association.
He also served in the AVMA House of Delegates in New York and was active in several AVMA councils and committees.
Throughout his career, Dr Kaddatz has promoted the work of veterinarians by publishing articles in the media, making presentations to community groups and organizing initiatives such as shadowing programs for high school students. He is the recipient of many veterinary awards.
He spent 25 years working in Rochester, New York, as senior partner in a large hospital group and later bought a four-veterinarian practice, north of New York City, where he held the role of Hospital Director.
Commenting, Dr Kaddatz said: “I have been fortunate to have met and worked with so many great people in WSAVA and the Foundation! It’s almost a cliché, but true, that whatever you give you receive more in return. That’s the nature of volunteering your time and talents to organizations where you can help make a difference for companion animals and their owners.”
WSAVA President Dr Ellen van Nierop explained: “Community-building is at the heart of everything the WSAVA does and, in bestowing this prestigious Award on Dr Kaddatz, we are recognizing an individual who has personally exemplified community-building throughout his career. The contribution he has made, not only to our global veterinary community, but to communities nationally and regionally in the USA, both within the veterinary profession and outside it is outstanding. He is a most deserving recipient of the WSAVA Award for Global Meritorious Service and we are delighted to recognize his achievement in this way.”
The WSAVA represents more than 200,000 veterinarians worldwide through its 115 member associations and works to enhance standards of clinical care for companion animals. Its core activities include the development of WSAVA Global Guidelines in key areas of veterinary practice, including pain management, nutrition and vaccination, together with lobbying on important issues affecting companion animal care worldwide.
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