2017 Animal Health Corridor Events
KCALSI, Kansas State University and the University of Missouri collaborated to present the One Health research symposium with the theme of, “Preventing the Next Pandemic”. The symposium featured over 20 national and regional experts addressing this topic from two perspectives:
1) how can surveillance data, social trafficking, and big data be used to identify potential outbreaks earlier, to facilitate rapid response
2) what are the latest vaccine platforms being applied to viral and emerging diseases including a segment on novel treatment approaches.
The symposium featured the following keynote presenters:
• Dr. Greg Gray, Duke University
• Dr. Mark Challberg, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Dr. Marty Vanier, National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF)
Highlights of Day 1 included Dr. Tracey McNamara who first identified West Nile virus in the United States, and Dr. Jorge Soberon who discussed disease spread using ecology and evolutionary biology. Day 2 included presentations by Dr. Scott McVey featuring fast-track approaches for emerging diseases and Dr. Samuel Thevasagayam from the Gates Foundation focused on challenges of Sub-Saharan Africa vaccine manufacture.
12th Annual KC Animal Health Corridor Homecoming
At the 12th annual KC Animal Health Corridor (KCAHC) Homecoming dinner on Aug. 28, nearly 1,200 global animal health leaders gathered in the Kansas City Convention Center Grand Ballroom to celebrate the Power of One. Keynote speaker Manley Feinberg II described how individuals, no matter their title or tenure within an organization, can expand their vision and perspective for courageous innovation.
Craig Wallace, advisory board chair and CEO and North America | Pacific Zone Director of Ceva Animal Health, honored two area not-for-profit organizations with the 2nd annual Spirit of Service award. Both organizations work tirelessly to improve the lives of adults and children with disabilities. Heartland Therapeutic Riding and Lakemary Ranch provide therapeutic services to the adults and children they serve through animal therapy. Both organizations were recognized for their work and provided a $15,000 donation during the program.
Rich Shuler’s history of creating innovate animal heath companies was acknowledged during the Homecoming Dinner with the prestigious KCAHC Iron Paw Award. Kimberly Young, president of the KCAHC, noted the collective efforts of the organization over the past year welcoming the companies that expanded or relocated to the region.