News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2024

New Brunswick Bovine Veterinarian Receives the 2024 Animal Health Canada Emerging Leaders Award

Sussex, NB. – Dr. Murray Gillies, a dedicated bovine veterinarian from New Brunswick, has been honoured with the 2024 Animal Health Canada (AHC) Emerging Leadership Award. This prestigious award recognizes individuals in the first 10 years of their professional careers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in One Health or One Welfare.

Dr. Gillies has made significant contributions to farmed animal health, with a leadership style that fosters collaboration between the public and private sectors. As the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System (CAHSS) coordinator, his expertise and dedication have been instrumental in keeping animal health stakeholders updated on the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cattle in the USA.

“Dr. Gillies’ determination to support the broader Canadian agriculture industry is clear through his open and honest communication among all stakeholders,” said Dr. Doris Leung, AHC’s CAHSS Division Director. “His ability to distill and communicate key findings from research exemplifies his collaborative approach.”

Dr. Gillies’ dedication in animal health has been widely acknowledged by peers and colleagues across North America. He is the representative of the Eastern Canadian provinces on the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Board (AABP) and is involved with the Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians (CABV), where he served as president from 2017-2018. Dr. Gillies helped establish the AABP’s Genetics and Genomics Committee and the Mental Health and Well-Being Committee, and currently serves as vice-chair of both. He also spearheaded the Mental Health and Wellbeing Task Force within AABP, addressing the unique stresses faced by veterinarians in the field.

Additionally, Dr. Gillies played a significant role in promoting the prudent use of veterinary medicines. He served as the lead dairy subject matter expert with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Stewardship of Antimicrobials by Veterinarians Initiative (SAVI), which promotes responsible antimicrobial use in animal health.

Alongside his leadership roles, Dr. Gillies operates a bovine consultancy business focused on progressive cattle management, mentors new graduates in bovine practice, and remains actively involved in his family’s dairy farm. He is also pursuing a master’s degree in animal health management at the Atlantic Veterinary College.

"Dr. Gillies' energy, enthusiasm, commitment and fresh perspective makes him an exceptional leader," says veterinarian and member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association National Issues Committee, Dr. Henry J Ceelen. “He is very deserving of this award and sets a very high bar for future recipients of the award."

The Animal Health Canada Emerging Leadership Award recognizes professionals who exhibit leadership through organizational involvement, research, policy development, program delivery, and other efforts that advance animal agriculture. Recipients of this award exemplify collaboration, inclusivity, and their work impacts both industry and government.

Dr. Gillies was presented with the 2024 Emerging Leadership Award during a ceremony at the 2024 Animal Health Canada Forum, a gathering of stakeholders from across Canada’s animal health and welfare system to share actions and initiatives.

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Animal Health Canada is the only national organization that brings together industry, federal, provincial, and territorial partners to provide collaborative guidance on a cohesive, functional, and responsive farmed animal health and welfare system in Canada. For more information, visit animalhealthcanada.ca.

For further information:

Tanya Frye
Communications Manager
Animal Health Canada
(613) 302-2671
tfrye@animalhealthcanada.ca