By Dr. Kis Robertson Hale
FSIS Chief Public Health Veterinarian and
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Public Health Science
Rear Admiral, U.S. Public Health Service

“Between animal and human medicine there are no dividing lines — nor should there be.” When Dr. Rudolph Virchow, a physician and the father of comparative medicine, asserted this in 1858, the world was a very different place. Little was known about the determinants of disease, and germ theory was still a hotly debated topic (Dr. Virchow actually argued against it). Public health systems lacked the tools to prevent illness outbreaks that were devastating enough to shut down entire towns. And yet, even in these challenging times, visionaries such as Dr. Virchow recognized veterinarians as integral to the larger health profession. His thought leadership paved the way for future pioneers such as Dr. James H. Steele, the veterinarian who in 1947 created the professional category of “Veterinarian” in the U.S. Public Health Service and is widely considered the vanguard of veterinary public health.

April 27 is World Veterinary Day, and its theme echoes Dr. Virchow’s sentiments: Veterinarians are vital health workers. One Health is an approach that recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. Although the interconnected nature of these health aspects is far from mysterious, putting the One Health approach into practice has long been a formidable challenge.

In recent years, we have made tremendous progress in erasing the professional “dividing lines” between human and animal health that needlessly complicate efforts to improve the nation’s health. The benefits of working together across different fields to combine knowledge in areas like agriculture and animal health will become even more important.

FSIS veterinarians are among those who have helped transform our public health paradigm for the better. Only time will tell what changes await us in the future. We can be confident though that FSIS veterinarians will remain essential stewards of One Health and are vital guardians of the nation’s food supply. Their expertise, dedication and commitment to science-based practices protect consumers from foodborne illnesses and ensure the safety of meat, poultry and egg products. Their work is crucial in maintaining public trust in the food system and promoting public health.

Learn more about World Veterinary Day and the One Health approach.