Alberta’s Dr. Karin Orsel named 2020 Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award winner

September 24, 2020 – Dr. Karin Orsel of Calgary, Alberta has been named recipient of the 2020 Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award, for her transformational contributions to the advancement of care in the bovine species. The recognition reflects her tremendous leadership in the areas of scientific research, teaching and mentorship of veterinary students.

The Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award is presented annually by the Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians (CABV) / Association Canadienne des Vétérinaires Bovins (ACVB) in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim. Dr. Orsel will be formally honoured at the 2021 American Association of Bovine Practitioners Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 23-25, 2021.

“Dr. Orsel is a world leader in bovine health, and mentor to veterinarians, researchers and producers across Alberta and beyond. We are thrilled to recognize her as the recipient of the 2020 Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award,” said Jocelyn Dubuc President of the Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians (CABV) / Association Canadienne des Veterinaire Bovins (ACVB).

Dr. Orsel is Professor and Interim Department Head, Department of Production Animal Health, with an Adjunct Appointment in the Department of Community Health Science (Cumming School of Medicine) at the University of Calgary. A renowned researcher and veterinary epidemiologist, her work focuses on infectious diseases in cattle, with an emphasis on lameness. She has been a faculty member at the university since arriving from the Netherlands in 2008, receiving a number of awards for her efforts to advance the health, welfare and sustainability of bovine production.

“The announcement that I would be receiving the 2020 Metacam Welfare award came as a complete surprise! I am thrilled and honoured to be the recipient of this award,” said Dr. Orsel. “Advancing the welfare of our production animals is my passion, and to have my work recognized through the Metacam Bovine Welfare Award means so much to me.”

Recognized for her many contributions to bovine welfare, Dr. Orsel receives high praise from her peers.

“Karin’s work has broad implications for animal health and welfare, and sustainability of animal production,” said Dr. John Kastelic, Professor of Theriogenology and Head, Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary. “She is a world authority on bovine lameness, in particular digital dermatitis, which causes huge reductions in animal welfare, productivity and longevity. She has done extensive field studies in this area, generating new knowledge and evidence-based approaches to reduce the impact of this debilitating disease.”

In addition to her tremendous contributions to scientific research, Dr. Orsel is also commended for her warmth, enthusiasm for her work, and infectious ability to forge productive collaborations.

“In addition to being an outstanding colleague, Karin is also very adept at bringing together researchers with disparate backgrounds. In that regard, she bridges gaps among molecular biologists and epidemiologists, researchers and extensionists, and between academia and veterinary practitioners,” said Dr. Herman Barkema, Professor Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary. “She has established numerous collaborations within the University of Calgary, as well as with colleagues at universities and companies throughout Canada and the USA, Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.”

Jeffrey Estabrooks, Business Unit Director (Bovine) with Boehringer Ingelheim, explained the Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award recognizes and encourages those who research and practice animal welfare and well-being.

“We congratulate Dr. Orsel on her tremendous achievements and are proud to present her with the Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award,” Estabrooks said. “She is a trailblazing researcher, scientist and educator, who is also an outstanding role model and mentor. Her contributions to cattle welfare here in Canada and around the world are nothing short of exemplary.”

Estabrooks thanked the CABV/ACVB for its work to seek nominations and select the recipient of the award.
 

About CABV/ACVB
The Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians (CABV) / Association Canadienne des Vétérinaires Bovins (ACVB) represents approximately 800 veterinarians from across Canada who have a specific interest in bovine health and production medicine. The Board is composed of thirteen members who are also representatives on the Boards of Canada’s four regional bovine associations: Atlantic Bovine Practitioners Association (ABPA), l'Association des Médecins Vétérinaires Praticiens du Québec (AMVPQ), Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners (OABP) and the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners (WCABP).

About Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.
Making new and better medicines for humans and animals is at the heart of what we do. Our mission is to create breakthrough therapies that change lives. Since its founding in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is independent and family-owned. We have the freedom to pursue our long-term vision, looking ahead to identify the health challenges of the future and targeting those areas of need where we can do the most good. 

As a world-leading, research-driven pharmaceutical company, more than 51,000 employees create value through innovation daily for our three business areas: Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. In 2019, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of 19 billion euros. Our significant investment of almost 3.5 billion euros in R&D drives innovation, enabling the next generation of medicines that save lives and improve quality of life.

We realize more scientific opportunities by embracing the power of partnership and diversity of experts across the life-science community. By working together, we accelerate the delivery of the next medical breakthrough that will transform the lives of patients now, and in generations to come. 

The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs approximately 600 people across Canada. 

More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found at www.boehringer-ingelheim.ca or in our annual report: http://annualreport.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. Across the globe, our 10,000 employees are dedicated to delivering value through innovation, thus enhancing the well-being of both.

Respect for animals, humans and the environment is at the heart of what we do. We develop solutions and provide services to protect animals from disease and pain. We support our customers in taking care of the health of their animals and protect our communities against life- and society-threatening diseases.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is the second largest animal health business in the world, with net sales of 4 billion euros in 2019 and presence in more than 150 countries. For more information visit: www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health/overview.

About the Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award

The Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award is given annually to a DVM or animal scientist working in Canada, a faculty member or a graduate student of a Canadian university to recognize his/her achievements in advancing the welfare of animals via leadership, public service, education, research/product development, and/or advocacy. By doing so, the CABV/ACVB hopes to raise public awareness of the important role veterinarians and animal scientists play in:

• Improving bovine welfare in cattle production and research systems
• Improving scientific methods of measuring bovine welfare

* Registered trade name: Metacam® 20mg/mL Solution for injection
Metacam® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, used under license.

 
 
Media contacts:

Phyllis Mierau
Administrator CABV/ACVB
Email: cabv.acvb@sasktel.net
Phone: (306) 956-3543

Merry Garbutt
Corporate Communications Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.
Email: merry.garbutt@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Phone: (905) 631-4531