The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has announced thatEmeritus Professor Michael J. Day is to be awarded its prestigious Award forGlobal Meritorious Service. He is to receive the Award in recognition of hisoutstanding contribution to the understanding of immunology and vaccinationand of his wider contribution to the practice of veterinary medicine globally.
Michael Day began working with the WSAVA in 2003, holding a range of rolesincluding membership of the Gastrointestinal Standardization Group and chairof the Scientific Advisory Committee. He was Chair of the WSAVA’s VaccinationGuidelines Group from 2009 until March 2020 when ill-health necessitated hisstepping down from this and his other WSAVA roles. In 2010, he became foundingchair of WSAVA’s One Health Committee. Professor Day was latterly the BSAVAAssembly Representative and joined the WSAVA’s Executive Board in 2017 and waselected Honorary Treasurer in 2018.
The inaugural Vice-President of the WSAVA Foundation, Professor Day helped todevelop and lead its pioneering African Small Companion Animal Network(AFSCAN) project, which is working to raise standards of companion animalveterinary care in Sub-Saharan Africa. In parallel with his WSAVA work, hechaired the BSAVA Scientific and Education Committees and served as BSAVAPresident in 2013-2014. He was also Editor-in-Chief of the Journal ofComparative Pathology and was a trustee of several veterinary charities,including Mission Rabies and the Soulsby Foundation. In April 2020, Michaelwas appointed as the first Honorary President of Mission Rabies.
In 2017, Professor Day retired from a 35-year academic career as a veterinarypathologist and immunologist with a research focus on companion animal immune-mediated and infectious diseases. He holds the titles of Emeritus Professor ofVeterinary Pathology at the University of Bristol, UK, and Adjunct Professorof Veterinary Pathology at Murdoch University, Western Australia.
The WSAVA’s Award for Global Meritorious Service is sponsored by the Dr MuktiNarayan Parveena Foundation (DMNPF) Nepal. It is presented annually to aveterinarian who, in the opinion of the judges, has contributed meritoriousservice to the veterinary profession in the broadest sense.
Commenting on the Award to Professor Day, WSAVA President Shane Ryan said:“Michael is a towering figure on the global veterinary stage and has achievedso much, particularly in his work for the WSAVA. Under his leadership, theVaccination Guidelines Group has produced both Global and Regional Guidelineswhich are transforming vaccination practice and, in so doing, supporting thewelfare of millions of companion animals around the world. His contribution tothe WSAVA Foundation’s AFSCAN project has also been immense as it continues toaccelerate the development of companion animal medicine across the continent.
“Michael is true veterinary leader, but he is also a colleague and a much-loved friend. There is no more deserving recipient of the WSAVA Award forGlobal Meritorious Service and we are delighted and privileged to present itto him.”
The WSAVA represents more than 200,000 veterinarians worldwide through its 113member associations and works to enhance standards of clinical care forcompanion animals. Its core activities include the development of WSAVA GlobalGuidelines in key areas of veterinary practice, including pain management,nutrition and vaccination, together with lobbying on important issuesaffecting companion animal care worldwide.
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