New BVA president champions diversity in profession
New BVA president, Daniella Dos Santos, with rescue dog, Bridget Bones
Exotics and companion animal vet, Daniella Dos Santos, was elected president of the BVA for 2019/2020 at its annual Members’ Day in Swansea at the end of last week.
Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012, having completed a Degree in molecular genetics at King’s College, London. She has worked in small animal and exotics practice in various locations in the South East – most recently as principal exotics and small animal vet at Parkvets Hospital, Kent. She is also studying towards a Certificate in Zoological Medicine.
A highlight of Daniella’s year as junior vice-president (2018/2019) was the launch of the #TimeForChange campaign. The campaign was initially inspired by collaborative work on confidence and motivation in the profession in 2018, undertaken with the University of Exeter, as part of the ‘Vet Futures’ project. This year the focus has been on discrimination and on improving the veterinary workplace for everyone in the veterinary team.
Daniella has been heavily involved in the development of the ground-breaking Report on Discrimination in the Veterinary Profession, which drew on responses to the BVA’s pioneering discrimination questionnaire and to our Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey results.
The report prompted the launch the #BigConversation, which has seen discussion of these important topics in traditional and social media throughout the summer as well as conversations at BVA Council and our Good Workplace Working Group.
Daniella plans to continue this work and has announced that the theme for her presidential year is #VetDiversity, which builds upon past presidents’ themes of ‘One Veterinary Community’ and ‘Team Vet – Working Together’. The theme encapsulates the BVA’s ongoing work championing vets working in a range of roles and from a range of backgrounds and its commitment to promoting the development of an inclusive and welcoming profession for everyone.
Commenting on her appointment, Daniella said: “I am very proud to be a member of the small, but invaluable, veterinary profession and honoured to have been elected as BVA president. I’ve really enjoyed my year as junior vice-president, getting to grips with the many challenges and opportunities facing the profession in the current political climate.
“I look forward to representing and championing all members over the coming year and I’m excited to continue our work encouraging and celebrating diversity and inclusiveness across our profession.”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
