» Award Overview
» Biography
» Past Winners and Recognition

The health of human beings is tied to the health of animals, both domestic and wild, in many ways. Certain diseases can be transmitted, directly or indirectly, from animals to humans. Infections and parasitic diseases of livestock may kill the animals outright, may necessitate their destruction or may reduce the survivors' production of meat or milk, all of which can in turn reduce the food supply available to humans. Such diseases are also an obstacle to international trade and may become a serious financial drain on the economy of a community or country—an impact which may have broad repercussions for health in a society.

The Pedro N. Acha Award for Excellence in Veterinary Public Health, created in 1993, is one of the awards presented by the Pan American Health and Education Foundation through its Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health Program, a partnership between PAHEF and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Recognizing the importance of veterinary public health to the peoples of the Americas and the economies of the countries, PAHEF established the Pedro N. Acha Award for Excellence in Veterinary Public Health. This award recognizes outstanding research based on a thesis written by an undergraduate student in veterinary public health within the last three years. It also aims to encourage dedication to the highest standards of study and professionalism.

A distinguished jury of veterinary public health professionals reviews nominations and recommends a research thesis to the board of directors of PAHEF for final selection.

The award consists of a cash prize, a certificate of honor, and a symbolic representation of the award. The awardee is invited to attend the annual meeting of the PAHO Directing Council and will be a guest of honor at PAHO/PAHEF’s awards program event in Washington, DC.