AAALAC International has appointed Cecile Baccanale, D.V.M., as its new Senior Director for North America. In this position, Dr. Baccanale will lead and oversee the Association’s accreditation activities in North America, including managing all site visits in the Americas and providing education and outreach activities for North American conferences and meetings. Dr. Baccanale will assume her duties later this fall.
“AAALAC has always been an essential part of my career. I’m very honored to be joining AAALAC on a full-time basis and look forward to this new chapter in my career,” said Dr. Baccanale. “I have watched the tremendous growth of AAALAC over the last 20 years—I feel very privileged to join it as it continues to expand and promote excellence in animal care worldwide.”
Dr. Baccanale has over 30 years of experience in leadership roles within laboratory animal medicine, spanning academic, government, and industry settings. Most recently, she served as the University Veterinarian and Associate Vice President, Animal Care, in the Office of the Vice President (Research and Innovation) at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. In this senior leadership role, Dr. Baccanale was responsible for animal care and use across the university campuses, including animal care operations, veterinary and technical services, and the animal compliance office. She was also responsible for securing funding to improve infrastructure and increase staffing across animal care operations and the compliance office and represented senior leadership on the University's Animal Care Committees.
“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Baccanale as Senior Director for North America. Her depth of experience and knowledge of AAALAC’s accreditation program and processes will enable her to be of tremendous service to our accredited programs in North America,” said Dr. Gary Borkowski, CEO of AAALAC International.
For 12 years, Dr. Baccanale served as a member of AAALAC’s Council on Accreditation, followed by eight years of service as a Council Member Emeritus, leading site visits to determine which institutions are awarded AAALAC accreditation. She served as a Council Officer for five years, including three years as a Section Leader. Additionally, Dr. Baccanale has served in leadership roles at U.S. universities, including Associate Director at Cornell University and Director of the Office of Animal Care Services, and Attending Veterinarian at the University of Connecticut. Her industry and governmental experience includes serving as Director of Animal Health at Marshall BioResources, and as a co-investigator and veterinarian at Health Canada. Dr. Baccanale also has extensive regulatory experience as an Assessment Director for the Canadian Council on Animal Care.
Dr. Baccanale has taught and lectured at institutions including McGill University, University of Connecticut, Cornell University, and East Carolina University. She received a full scholarship to Marianopolis College, where she earned a Diplôme d'études collégiales in Health Sciences, and later received a D.V.M. from the Université de Montréal in Montreal. Dr. Baccanale is an active member of l’Ordre des médecins vétérinaires du Québec (OMVQ), Canadian Association of Laboratory Animal Medicine (CALAM), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), and the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD).
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Baccanale!
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Helen E. Diggs, MEd, DVM, DACLAM, has announced her retirement as AAALAC’s Senior Director for North America later this year.
Over the past six-and-a-half years, Dr. Diggs served first as Senior Director for Education and Outreach, then Senior Director for North America. In these positions she provided oversight of the Association’s accreditation activities in North America, including managing all North American site visits, and has been instrumental in expanding AAALAC’s education and outreach activities.
“Helen has had a significant and long-lasting impact on AAALAC International. Her energy and enthusiasm for AAALAC’s mission comes through every day in her work,” said Dr. Gary Borkowski, Chief Executive Officer. “I am eternally grateful for her modernization of our Education and Outreach program and materials, as well as her leadership as the first Senior Director for North America.”
“It has been a delight working with AAALAC, especially the Council and office personnel—what a wonderful experience and capstone to my career. I truly cherish all the friendships I have made,” said Dr. Diggs.
Dr. Diggs has 40 years of experience in veterinary and academic laboratory animal medicine. Before joining AAALAC, she was the Attending Veterinarian, the Director of the Laboratory Animal Resources Center, and a professor at Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Oregon State University. She has also served as the Attending Veterinarian and Director of the Office of Laboratory Animal Care at the University of California-Berkeley.
Dr. Diggs has served on the Board of Directors for the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, the Board of Directors for the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) and is a past president of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM). She served as an AAALAC International Ad Hoc Visitor beginning in 1994 and on AAALAC’s Council on Accreditation from 2007-2018. As Program Director for two ACLAM-recognized laboratory animal medicine resident training programs, Dr. Diggs has supported many veterinarians in achieving ACLAM Board Certification.
Dr. Diggs earned her veterinary degrees from Oregon State University and Washington State University. She received an Honorary Doctor of Science from Oregon State University and holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Portland. She is a past Oregon State University commencement speaker and recipient of their Alumni Fellow Award.
Please join us in thanking Dr. Diggs!
At its Annual Meeting in May, AAALAC International presented Dr. Gregory A. Timberlake with its highest honor, the Bennett J. Cohen Award.
Named in honor of the late Bennett J. Cohen, the AAALAC International Bennett J. Cohen Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have, through their exceptional service and significant contributions to AAALAC International, demonstrated a strong and abiding commitment to advancing science through promotion of the highest standards of laboratory animal care in research, testing, and education. Dr. Cohen was a visionary in the field of laboratory animal science. He was instrumental in the founding of several well-known laboratory animal science organizations including AAALAC, AALAS, and ACLAM, and he was an ardent friend of the animal research and life science community. Dr. Cohen was a steadfast supporter of AAALAC International and the accreditation process and served as the first Chairman of AAALAC's Council on Accreditation.
Dr. Timberlake is Professor Emeritus at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He has had an extensive academic career and military leadership service with the United States Navy, with an emphasis in trauma and critical care surgery both in this country and internationally. During his clinical and research career, his work covered trauma and critical care, emergency/field surgical and medical procedures, studied the effects of trauma on the cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary systems, all of which have contributed significantly to medical science and research.
“Dr. Timberlake’s resolute 24 years of service have been instrumental in AAALAC’s evolution into the leading global accreditation organization for animal care and use programs which we are proud of today and will be tomorrow,” said AAALAC Board Chair Dr. Nancy Poy.
Dr. Timberlake has a long history of service to AAALAC International. He joined AAALAC's Board of Trustees in 1999, representing the American College of Surgeons. He has served on multiple committees, including Bylaws, Governance, Strategic Planning, Global 3Rs, Audit & Finance, and Council Nominations. Dr. Timberlake also served in several officer positions including Chair of the Board of Trustees in 2015, and Chair of the Board of Directors from 2016–2017.
Dr. Timberlake has contributed significantly to AAALAC's transformational growth internationally, as well as expanding its focus to include agricultural and wildlife animals, which led to renaming the organization to AAALAC International. He had a pivotal leadership role in aligning AAALAC's governance with other professional organizations and contributed to the restructuring and transition of AAALAC to its new governance structure in 2016, ensuring the organization's future success.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Timberlake!
At its Annual Meeting in May, AAALAC International presented Dr. Philip B. Carter and Ms. Denise DiFrancesco with the 2025 Outstanding Delegate Service Award.
The Outstanding Delegate Service Award recognizes individuals who have made long-standing and impactful contributions to AAALAC International through dedicated service as a Member Organization Delegate. Their contributions have promoted AAALAC’s accreditation mission and demonstrated a strong and abiding commitment to advocating high-quality research animal welfare. On the strengths of the nominations received, please join us in congratulating Dr. Philip B. Carter and Ms. Denise DiFrancesco as the 2025 Outstanding Delegate Award recipients!
At its Annual Meeting in May, AAALAC International presented Drs. Linda Fulton and Patricia “Trish” Foley with the 2025 James R. Swearengen Award.
Named in honor of the late James R. Swearengen, the AAALAC International James R. Swearengen Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have, through their exceptional service and significant contributions to the Council on Accreditation for AAALAC International, demonstrated a strong and abiding commitment to advancing science through promotion of the highest standards of laboratory animal care in research, testing, and education by creating an environment of respectful focus on continuous improvement. Dr. Swearengen was instrumental in the promotion of the international expansion of the mission of AAALAC International. A confident, quiet-mannered friend to all, quick with a smile and warmly engaging to everyone, he was one of AAALAC’s greatest ambassadors. A beloved mentor, he patiently listened to all perspectives, while remaining firm in his convictions. Dr. Swearengen was steadfast in his dedication to promoting animal welfare and the impact of the mission of AAALAC International. On the strengths of the nominations received, please join us in congratulating Drs. Linda Fulton and Patricia “Trish” Foley as the 2025 James R. Swearengen Award recipients!
AAALAC International has appointed Jacob (Jake) R. Werner, V.M.D., as its new Director-United States of America (USA). In this newly created position, Dr. Werner will oversee AAALAC’s education and outreach program within the USA as well as serving as one of the staff members representing AAALAC International and promoting AAALAC’s mission worldwide. The Director-USA also assists the Senior Director for North America and Chief Accreditation Officer (Global Director) in implementing the policies and programs of the organization within the USA. Dr. Werner will assume his duties in June.
“We look forward to Dr. Werner joining AAALAC as Director-USA, a position designed to enhance education and outreach efforts and support AAALAC’s mission around the world,” said AAALAC International CEO Dr. Gary Borkowski. “Dr. Werner’s breadth of veterinary, teaching and research experience, combined with his in-depth understanding of AAALAC’s accreditation program, will serve him well in this new role.”
Dr. Werner has more than 20 years of experience in veterinary and academic animal medicine and care. Most recently, Dr. Werner served as Research Professor and Attending Veterinarian for Agricultural Animals and Wildlife at The Pennsylvania State University. There he was responsible for overseeing the health and welfare of animals within the Animal Resource Program for the University and Commonwealth Campus System. Throughout his time at Penn State, Dr. Werner served in a variety of teaching and veterinary positions in animal science and veterinary medicine, and for 22 years as a voting member of Penn State’s IACUC Committee. He has also served as the Consulting Attending Veterinarian for Juniata College, and has worked for a number of private veterinary practices caring for both companion and agricultural animals.
“Ensuring high standards in animal care and welfare has always been a passion of mine, and I am excited and honored to work with AAALAC International to support its mission,” said Dr. Werner.
For six years Dr. Werner served as a member of AAALAC’s Council on Accreditation, the group that conducts the site visits to determine which institutions are awarded AAALAC accreditation. Prior to his appointment to the Council, Dr. Wener served as an Ad Hoc Visitor to AAALAC International for 12 years. Additionally, he has served as a consultant to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, as a faculty member in Penn State Hershey’s College of Medicine Residency Program, and he was responsible for establishing an international exchange program between Penn State and Bern University in Switzerland.
Dr. Werner has extensive teaching and lecturing experience on a wide range of topics related to agriculture, animal welfare, equine studies and wildlife management. He is currently writing the section on “Agricultural Animal Welfare” for the revised version of Laboratory Animal Medicine (Elsevier Publishing) and has authored numerous journal articles and reports on topics related to agricultural and veterinary science and research animal care. Dr. Werner earned a B.S. in Animal Bioscience from The Pennsylvania State University, and a V.M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Werner!
Jennifer MacDonald, RMLAT, AHT, is the 2025 CALAS recipient of the AAALAC International Fellowship Award. MacDonald currently serves as the Husbandry Coordinator for the University of Victoria in Victoria, British Columbia. There she is responsible for hiring and training staff, overseeing quality control, maintenance and continuous improvement, and coordinating overall management.
Prior to assuming her current position, MacDonald served as Animal Health Technician Coordinator and as a Technician for the University of Victoria; as Operations Supervisor for Medical Sciences Building HSLAS University of Alberta; and as Head of Animal Care for the Alberta Research Council. She is an active member of CALAS/ASCAL and currently serves as Chair of the Certification and Education Committee and is a member of the Board of Directors. MacDonald received a Diploma in Veterinary Technology
from St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ontario.
The AAALAC International Fellowship Award is presented by AAALAC International and made possible through grants from Datesand Group (Platinum Sponsor), LabDiet (Platinum Sponsor), Allentown LLC (Silver Sponsor), and the U. Kristina Stephens, MS RLATG Fund (Bronze Sponsor), in cooperation with IAT, AALAS, the Medical Research Council, and the National Institutes of Health.
Apply to become a 2025 Fellow! The 2025 IAT RAnTech Fellowship winner will receive a week-long guest visit to prestigious biomedical research facilities in the U.S., plus complimentary attendance at the National AALAS Meeting, the U.S.'s largest laboratory animal science and technology meeting. All registration, travel, lodging, meals, and out-of-pocket expenses are covered. More information on applying for an AAALAC International Fellowship Award is available here.
For more than 50 years, AAALAC International has promoted the humane and responsible care and use of animals needed to advance medical and scientific discoveries that save lives and improve the health and well-being of both people and animals. By accrediting participating institutions, including research animal breeders, AAALAC International fosters humane and responsible animal care and use policies and practices that meet or exceed applicable standards.
Reflective of international interest, AAALAC International receives questions regarding its approach to accrediting nonhuman primate breeding programs around the globe. The following describes the standards and resources used in the rigorous evaluation of these programs conducted by AAALAC International representatives.
For a description of the accreditation process, including the on-site assessment, see “Preparing for an AAALAC International Site Visit” (AAALAC Presentations - AAALAC).
AAALAC International strongly affirms that high quality science is achieved when the welfare of the research animals is also maintained at a high level that reflects the 3Rs and a Culture of Care.
For more than 50 years, AAALAC International has promoted the humane and responsible care and use of animals needed to advance medical and scientific discoveries that save lives and improve the health and well-being of both people and animals. By accrediting participating institutions, we strive for humane and responsible animal care and use policies and practices that meet or exceed our standards.
AAALAC International’s Rules of Accreditation stipulate that the accredited institution shall observe any and all statutes and governmental regulations which bear upon animal care and use. Our accreditation standards further require institutions to promptly notify AAALAC International of significant adverse events relating to their animal care and use program. Examples include internal or external reviews/inspections that document these events; investigations by national oversight bodies; and other serious incidents or concerns that negatively impacted animal well-being.
Institutions that do not follow AAALAC International’s Rules of Accreditation are subject to their accreditation being revoked.
As part of the development of a new strategic plan, the AAALAC International Board of Directors has adopted updated Mission and Vision Statements that will guide the organization in the months and years ahead. The Mission and Vision are as follows:
Mission Statement
AAALAC International improves the welfare of animals in science and education through the accreditation of organizations meeting high standards of humane and responsible animal care and use.
Vision Statement
A world where excellence in animal welfare and science converge.
“We are convinced these Mission and Vision Statements fully capture AAALAC International’s commitment to animal welfare in science worldwide. The new strategic plan provides a path that builds on the organization’s strengths and successes and charts a course for expansion and even greater impact,” said Dr. Joachim Coenen, AAALAC International Board Chair.
Established in 1965, AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organization that operates voluntary evaluation and accreditation programs. Institutions seeking accreditation receive an independent, expert assessment of their animal care and use program. Those that meet or exceed applicable standards are awarded accreditation.
“AAALAC International has a long and impressive history of working with the research and animal care communities to improve animal welfare in science and education through participation in the accreditation program,” said Dr. Kathryn Bayne, AAALAC International Chief Executive Officer. “Thanks to our worldwide network of dedicated staff and volunteers we look forward to implementing this new strategic plan that will expand the scope and influence of AAALAC’s work, further benefiting animals and the resulting research.”
Currently more than 1,050 companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies and other research institutions in 50 countries/regions have earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal welfare in science. More information is available on AAALAC's Web site at www.aaalac.org.
For more than 50 years, AAALAC International has promoted the humane and responsible care and use of animals needed to advance medical and other scientific discoveries that save lives and improve the health and well-being of both people and animals. By accrediting participating institutions, we foster responsible, humane and high quality animal care and use based on policies and practices that meet or exceed our standards.
AAALAC takes very seriously any possible deficiencies by accredited institutions that fall short of our standards that we identify via site visits, are self-reported or we become aware of via other means. We launch an investigation and establish a timetable for corrective action. In such cases, an institution is placed on restricted accreditation status (e.g., deferred accreditation or probation). Failure to report reportable adverse events promptly, as mandated by AAALAC’s Rules of Accreditation, may lead to the revocation of the AAALAC International accreditation.
To confirm suitable corrective action has been implemented, our Council on Accreditation may conduct drop-in visits with limited advance notification or a comprehensive mandatory site revisit. Failure to correct deficiencies can and has resulted in revocation of AAALAC International accreditation.
To receive AAALAC International accreditation, an institution must submit a detailed program description that details all aspects of its animal care and use. Once the program description is reviewed, AAALAC International conducts a comprehensive, onsite assessment of the program and facilities to determine if the institution will be awarded accreditation.
AAALAC requires accredited institutions to promptly report adverse events, including unexpected animal deaths and allegations regarding compromised animal welfare. We investigate these reports and, if deemed appropriate, require corrective action within a set period of time. As noted above failure to correct deficiencies in these situations can also result in revocation of AAALAC accreditation.
Additional questions about AAALAC's accreditation process may be directed to accredit@aaalac.org.