AVC professor recognized nationally for outstanding work in aquatic animal health
Dr. Larry Hammell, Professor and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at the Atlantic Veterinary College, has been honoured with the 2016 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Merck Veterinary Award for his contributions to aquatic animal health and aquaculture industry. Dr. Hammell received the award on July 7 during the CVMA’s 2016 annual conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Congratulations, Dr. Hammell!
The following is a media release issued by the CVMA:
PEI Veterinarian Recognized Nationally for Outstanding Aquatic Animal Medicine
OTTAWA, Ont. – Dr. Larry Hammell was awarded the 2016 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Merck Veterinary Award for his monumental commitment to the enhancement of a sustainable aquaculture industry through logical evidence-based decision-making and for his contributions which have directly influenced aquatic animal health policy worldwide.
Dr. Hammell is recognized nationally and internationally for his contributions in aquatic epidemiology, aquatic animal health research and aquatic food animal production medicine. He is founder and co-director of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Collaborating Center for Epidemiology and Risk Assessment for Aquatic Animal Diseases along with the National Veterinary Institute of Norway. Dr. Hammell plays an integral role on the research team that was awarded the UPEI Canada Excellence Research Chair in Aquatic Epidemiology. He has led extensive consultative and training collaborations with Norway, New Zealand, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and across Canada. As frontrunner on the global stage, he led the development of the Disease Technical Working Group for Salmon Aquaculture Dialogue with the World Wildlife Fund and more recently has been involved in several OIE aquatic Professional Veterinary Services assessments.
His expertise and involvement is widely recognized amongst his colleagues: “Larry’s knowledge, leadership skills, and most importantly, his enthusiasm/dedication has pushed me and other veterinarians to commit to research participation and furthered continued education,” says Dr. Michael J. Beattie, Chief Veterinarian Aquaculture of the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries. “It is important to recognize individuals such as Dr. Hammell, whom by their unselfish deeds, have improved the sector of animal production on a regional, national and international level.”
Dr. Hammell was one of a core group of industry and provincial veterinarians who lobbied tirelessly for two decades for the legitimization of the veterinary profession in aquatic animal health. In 2003, he was instrumental in consolidating the role of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as lead federal agency for the National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP), which is co-delivered by the CFIA and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
As an aquatic veterinary epidemiologist, Dr. Hammell has been the lead proponent on many large, clinical research projects and partnerships with industry and government agencies. He is currently Professor and Associate Dean (Graduate Studies and Research) at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), University of Prince Edward Island. He recently completed the directorship of the AVC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences, and Innovation PEI Research Chair in Epidemiology for Aquatic Food Production.
“Dr. Hammell has been a pillar in support of the growth of a sustainable aquaculture industry in Newfoundland and Labrador that is directly responsible for improving the socio-economic circumstances for the province’s citizenry,” says Dr. Daryl Whelan, Chief Aquaculture Veterinarian, Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
The Merck Veterinary Award, sponsored by Merck Animal Health, is presented to a veterinarian whose work in large animal practice, clinical research, or basic sciences is judged to have contributed significantly to the advancement of large animal medicine and surgery, including herd health management.
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The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is the national and international voice for Canada’s veterinarians, providing leadership and advocacy for veterinary medicine. Each year, CVMA proudly recognizes individuals and groups for their outstanding contribution to veterinary medicine. Visit canadianveterinarians.net to learn more about CVMA.
Contact: Tanya Frye, Acting Manager of Communications & Public Relations, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), 613-236-1162 ext. 128 or tfrye@cvma-acmv.org
