Dr. Susan Chadima (’79)
Susan Chadima, a Maine-based veterinarian who has worked for decades to strengthen Afghanistan’s animal health infrastructure, was named the recipient of the 2025 AVMA Global Veterinary Service Award. Chadima first traveled to Afghanistan in 2005, drawn by a desire to contribute her skills to post-war reconstruction efforts. What began as a six-week volunteer trip evolved into a 20-year commitment to mentoring Afghan veterinarians and paraprofessionals, rebuilding infrastructure and guiding public health policy. “It has been a great privilege to work with dedicated veterinary professionals in a country with complex challenges,” Chadima said. “The connection between improved animal health and its impacts on human health and economic livelihoods is especially important in Afghanistan.”