One Health, One Voice for Antimicrobial Stewardship
On July 9, 2024, healthcare practitioners from across the Commonwealth and beyond gathered for “One Health, One Voice for Antimicrobial Stewardship” sponsored by Carilion’s Infectious Diseases Department and Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech. An introduction to One Health was followed by a presentation that illustrated humans and their animals share organisms and antimicrobial genes. Epidemiologists, public health leaders, pharmacists, veterinarians, physicians, basic scientists, and others addressed the shared challenges and unique differences in antimicrobial stewardship across human and veterinary medicine. Ideas were generated to support antimicrobial stewardship which will improve the health of all the communities we serve regardless of species. A total of 35 attended including 11 presenters. This conference was funded by SHARP grant, the Virginia Health Department.
Topics included:
Perspectives on a One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance
o Dr. Cassidy Rist, Associate Director, Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Do people and pets share antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in southwestern Virginia?
o Dr. Tessa LeCuyer, Veterinary Clinical Microbiologist, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis
o Dr. Jay Rao, Associate Professor, Department of Infectious Disease, Carilion Clinic
o Dr. Rick Jenssen, Associate Professor Emeritus, Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech
Public health priorities for antimicrobial stewardship in Virginia
o Dr. Shaina Bernard, Anmicrobial Resistance Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Health
Veterinary profession priorities for antimicrobial stewardship
o Dr. Cooper Brookshire, Assistant Clinical Professor, Mississippi State University
Educational activities to support One Health, One Voice for AMS in Virginia
o Dr. Cassidy Rist, Associate Director, Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
The conference ended with a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Cassidy Rist. The panel discussion was interactive with robust involvement of the attendees. Panelists included: Dr. Cooper Brookshire, Assistant Clinical Professor, Mississippi State University; Dr. Bobbie Conner, Clinical Associate Professor, Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, VMCVM; Dr. Michael Nappier, Clinical Associate Professor, Community Practice, VMCVM; Dr. Shaina Bernard, Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Health; Dr. Richard Bryant, Veterinarian and Owner, Salem Animal Hospital; Dr Ryan Fulton, Pediatrician, Carilion Children’s, Daleville; Dr. Lauren McDaniel, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Infectious Diseases, Carilion Clinic.