Dr. Daniel E. Salmon Award
For Exemplary Achievement in Federal Veterinary Medicine

Award Description
The Dr. Daniel E. Salmon Award is presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions and notable service in the public’s interest by a veterinarian federally employed in any human health, environmental health, or animal health discipline. This award was established to honor the first director of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry in its centennial year — 1984. Dr. Daniel E. Salmon was a world-renowned veterinary medical scientist who pioneered research in bacterial diseases of animals and immunology. His efforts led to the development of killed vaccines, and to the naming of the bacterial genus Salmonella in his honor. His work contributed immeasurably to improving the public’s health and to disease control efforts in general. It is hoped that this award will encourage veterinarians to continue excellence in their performance and to aspire for public service as a lifelong career.

How Often is this Award Presented?
One award may be given yearly to worthy nominees. The award consists of a plaque and an honorarium of $500.00. This award is supported by the National Association of Federal Veterinarians. This award will be presented at the annual Department of Agriculture Honor Awards, usually in October. 

Eligibility Criteria

The nominee must be a veterinarian who is a career employee of the federal government with at least five (5) years of service as of December 31st of the current year. No more than one (1) nomination per 400 (or portion thereof) veterinarians employed may be submitted by an agency within any federal department.

Performance Criteria

The nominee must have demonstrated sustained significant contributions over a period of five (5) years or more in federal programs involving public health, consumer protection, or animal health and welfare while serving in any preventive medicine, regulatory, research, or environmental health position. The significant contributions must have been from resourcefulness and skill in the application of veterinary medical sciences in implementing new programs or in carrying out existing programs of any federal agency. Said performance should have been at a level of excellence well above the norm, i.e., those who have gone the ‘extra mile.”

Information Requested

Please send the electronic version of the nomination form to NAFV National Office. Exhibit materials can be attached and all the basic information requested below must be included with the nomination letter.  

1. Name, title and grade/rank (as of January 1st, of the current year) of nominee.
2. Bureau, agency or corps and department.
3. Home address and email address of nominee.
4. Educational background and awards or commendations received during nominee’s federal employment.
5. Give a brief description of nominee’s present grade, duties and responsibilities including the scope of work, its complexity and overall responsibilities for varied programs and supervision.
6. Give a brief chronological outline of previous positions held indicating scope of duties and responsibilities.
7. State the reasoning, using specific examples, that shows the nominee has made sustained significant contributions involving public health, consumer protection, preventive medicine, animal health or animal welfare while serving as a federal employee. These examples must show resourcefulness, skill and dedication in applying the broad knowledge of veterinary sciences. Rather than just listing accomplishments, explain the significance of their contributions to communities, to programs, to science or to preventive medicine.
8. Please also submit the suggested wording (in 35 words or less) of a proposed citation to be included on the award plaque.

The recommendation must be signed by the head of the agency or his/her representative.  All nominations to be eligible for that years award must be received no later than June 28 of that year .   

How to Submit a Nomination:
Click here for the Nomination form or go to the NAFV website, under the Awards section. Nominations can be submitted to Ms. Mariana Barros via any of the following: 

• Email: nafv@nafv.org
• Fax: 202.482.4360
• Mail: National Association of Federal Veterinarians
  1910 Sunderland Place NW, Washington, DC 20036

The nomination letter must be typewritten, single-spaced, and with a new subject paragraph double spaced.

A special “Dr. Daniel E. Salmon Award Committee” of distinguished government officials and private citizens is named each year by the President of the National Association of Federal Veterinarians.

Additional information regarding this announcement may be obtained from:

Dr. Joseph Annelli, Executive Vice President at JFAnnelli@nafv.org or Ms. Mariana Barros Associate Executive Vice President at MBarros@nafv.org