SAVMA

Congratulations to Crystal Mateo & Albert Rivera of Colorado State University and Taylor Dubé of Pennsylvania State University! Take a look at a couple of our 2026 Global and Public Health Officer awards!

Crystal Mateo and Albert Rivera and their group at CSU were one of 2 winners of this year’s One Health Grand Challenge!
“We are thrilled to celebrate Crystal Mateo and Albert Rivera of Colorado State University, one of two recipients of the One Health Grand Challenge!

Crystal’s project will bring youth-centered One Health education to Cerro Hermoso, Oaxaca, Mexico, with hands-on workshops focused on environmental health, animal health, conservation, and community wellbeing.

“One Health should not only be discussed in academic spaces, but should also be shared in ways that are accessible and rooted in the lived experiences of communities,” Crystal shared.

With support from the award, Crystal hopes to provide educational materials, workshop supplies, community partnerships, and engaging learning opportunities for local youth. Her long-term goal is to help grow the project into a sustainable, community-informed program that encourages young people to see themselves as future One Health leaders.

We can’t wait to see the impact Crystal and Albert as well as the rest of their team at CSU and the youth of Cerro Hermoso create together!”

Taylor Dubé was one of two winners of the One Health Travel Award!

“Congratulations to Taylor Dube, recipient of the One Health Travel Award, which supported a two-week externship with the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance in Asheville, North Carolina.

Taylor gained hands-on experience in high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter medicine while learning how population control intersects with animal welfare, public health, and environmental health.

“This experience demonstrated that veterinary medicine is inherently interconnected with human and environmental health,” Taylor reflected.

The externship highlighted how accessible spay/neuter services can reduce shelter overpopulation, lower risks associated with stray and free-roaming animals, and lessen impacts on wildlife and ecosystems.

Taylor plans to carry these lessons forward by a

The Community & Belonging Showcase celebrates individuals, events, and SAVMA chapters that promote inclusion, access, and connection in their campus communities. Please join us in congratulating our Community & Belonging Showcase 2026 awardees!👏✨

Kristianne Casale, Rowan University Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine:

“Pursuing a career in veterinary medicine is rooted in my passion to make quality care more accessible to all communities. Receiving this award directly supports that dream by helping to ease my educational expenses, allowing me to stay dedicated to learning, serving, and creating a more inclusive future for veterinary care. This award is an encouraging reminder of why community matters, driving my goal to make compassionate veterinary services accessible for all.”

Sydney Reed, Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine:

“Receiving the Community & Belonging Showcase Award is incredibly meaningful to me because building community has become one of the most rewarding parts of my veterinary school journey. Through various community initiatives, I’ve discovered that some of the most meaningful moments in veterinary medicine happen when people come together with a shared purpose. This award will help me continue creating opportunities for students to connect, serve, and support one another while making a positive impact beyond the classroom. I’m incredibly grateful to SAVMA for this recognition and for believing in the importance of fostering a profession where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and inspired to give back.”

Tommy DeMarco, Rowan University Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine:

“This award will help me continue building my professional community by supporting my student memberships in the Veterinary Cancer Society and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). These organizations will provide valuable opportunities to network with mentors and peers, expand my knowledge, and continue growing toward my goal of becoming a veterinary oncologist.”

Lucy Peters, Royal Veterinary College:

“This award will help fund my next neutering placement, allowing me to both improve my clinical skills, and make a meanin

Attention c/o 2026! Here is a quick reminder about loan repayments!

Did you attend a veterinary conference between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026? The SAVMA Education & Professional Development Committee wants to help you recover your costs! Scan the QR code or visit the SAVMA Awards website to find our application!

The Veterinary Association for Farm Animal Welfare is hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 starting at 8 pm EST / 5 pm PT.

Feel free to join to learn all about immunocastration of pigs! 🐷

Want to be more involved in leadership and get some experience with organized veterinary medicine?
Apply today for the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference Award, which will provide travel and lodging for 1 student from each SAVMA chapter to attend VLC in Chicago from January 7-9, 2027.

Applications are due Oct 2 at 11:59PM EDT.

Last but not least, our national SAVMA Chapter President Representative, John Wofford! John currently attends Texas Tech SVM! He is interested in equine surgery and sports medicine! He serves as the voice for all our presidents across the chapters!💚💙
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