Christine Jenkins is the 2026 recipient of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor recognizes Dr. Jenkins’ career-long leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine.
“Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Jenkins has dedicated herself to mentoring and to creating opportunities for underrepresented students and veterinarians,” said American Veterinary Medical Association President Dr. Michael Q. Bailey. “She is a transformative leader whose lasting impact on the profession makes her exceptionally deserving of this prestigious honor.”
Dr. Jenkins recently retired after several years in senior leadership roles at Zoetis. As chief veterinary medical officer for U.S. operations, she was responsible for strategic partnerships with colleges of veterinary medicine and professional associations. She also served as co-chair of the American Veterinary Medical Association/American Association of Veterinary Medical College’s Commission for a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Veterinary Profession.
An alumna of two historically Black universities, Dr. Jenkins began her college education at the University of Chicago. She later transferred to Florida A&M University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science. She went on to complete her doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, which was founded in 1944 by her award’s namesake, Frederick Douglass Patterson.
“I am truly humbled to receive the Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award and honored to be nominated by my esteemed colleagues,” Dr. Jenkins said. “Dr. Patterson’s work in establishing Tuskegee’s veterinary medical school provided opportunities for African American and Hispanic populations to pursue veterinary medicine. He was a role model as an academic leader, and his legacy continues to serve the veterinary profession and society as a whole.”
