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BVA award winners announced at Members' Day
Outgoing BVA president Dr Malcolm Morley alongside BVA Council Impact Award winner Dr Elysé Summerfield-Smith.

Six awards were presented at the event in Glasgow.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has announced the winners of this year’s BVA veterinary awards, which celebrate outstanding contributions to the profession.

Six awards were presented at the BVA’s annunal Member’s Day, held on 28 September at Trades Hall in Glasgow.

The BVA Advancement of Veterinary Science Award (Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal) was awarded to Dr Richard Sibley in recognition of his scientific research into herd health and his work as a mentor and teacher to younger veterinary surgeons.

Dr Jane Ladlow was awarded the BVA Outstanding Service Award (Chiron Award) for her research into the treatment of diseases linked to bracychephalic conformation and her contribution to the development of The Kennel Club and University of Cambridge’s Respiratory Function Grading Scheme.

The BVA Council Impact Award (John Bleby Cup) went to Dr Elysé Summerfield-Smith for her contribution to the BVA Council as a graduate representative.

Receiving the award, Dr Summerfield-Smith said: “I am especially proud that it is for work in representing the views of the newest members of the veterinary community. I feel that any contribution I may have made to the BVA Council over the past two years is a reflection of the level of engagement that the young vet community has in driving policy change.”

The winner of the BVA Research Travel Scholarship (Harry Steele-Bodger Scholarship) was Dr Kimberly Tam, who will be taking up a position as a volunteer veterinary surgeon with a charity in St Vincent and the Grenadines. During her gap year, she worked as a volunteer in Borneo, before studying at the Royal Veterinary College.

The founder of Worldwide Veterinary Service and Mission Rabies, Luke Gamble, received the BVA Animal Health and Welfare Overseas Award (J. Trevor Blackburn Award) for his commitment to advancing animal welfare.

Dr Gamble said: “Everything I have had the privilege to be a part of relating to international animal welfare has been the result of inspiring colleagues, mentors, friends, a very supportive family, and tremendous supporters, who drive the projects on and consistently go the extra mile to enable these incredible ventures to win.”

The Vet Record Impact Award was presented to Angela Heeley, Dave Brodbelt, Dan O’Neill, David Church and Lucy Davison for their research paper on glucocorticoid and antibiotic exposure as risk factors for diabetes mellitus.

Commenting on the awards, outgoing BVA president Malcolm Morley said: “This year’s BVA achievements awards spotlight an inspirational group of veterinary professionals, whose hard work, dedication and talent have in a variety of ways helped advance veterinary science and the profession or improved the lives of animals across the UK, and in many cases all three.

“I congratulate and thank them on behalf of the team at BVA and the profession for their outstanding work.”

 

Image (C) BVA

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

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Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."