Dr. Andrea Ellis (DVM) is a Board member with Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord U.S.
Dr. Andrea Ellis (DVM) is a veterinary epidemiologist who has worked in foodborne, waterborne and zoonotic diseases for the past 30 years in the Canadian public service and at WHO. In Canada, she worked in Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada managing the outbreak response unit in what is currently called the Centre for Foodborne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. Dr. Ellis was seconded to WHO in Geneva from 2002-2004 to develop the epidemiology curriculum for the Global Foodborne Infections Network and worked on the response to SARS and avian influenza. She went back to WHO from 2009-2011 to lead the International Food Safety Authorities Network. Upon returning to Canada, she joined the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and spent 10 years as senior advisor to the Chief Veterinary Officer of Canada and WOAH Delegate for Canada before retiring from government in March 2023.
Dr. Ellis is currently an independent consultant and has been working with WOAH and WHO.
In Ghana’s Upper East Region, women Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) are transforming animal care and community health. Through VWB’s VETS program, they’re improving livestock management, advancing gender equality, and building resilient One Health systems from the ground up.
Join Veterinarians Without Borders for our virtual 20th Anniversary celebration — 20 Years of Impact: A Celebration of Our Volunteers & VWB in Action. Reflect on two decades of One Health impact and connect with the people shaping a healthier world for animals, people, and the planet.
This field report from Laos shares insights from VWB’s Senior Program Officer, Megan Sylka, highlighting how the VETS program, in partnership with CARE Laos, is empowering women, improving animal health, and helping farming communities build climate resilience through sustainable agriculture and One Health practices.
