The winner will be announced next month.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has revealed the three finalists for this year’s Young Vet of the Year award, which celebrates the achievements of early career veterinary surgeons.

Rebecca Hampson, Henry Lamb, and Camilla Church are the finalists.

The three veterinary surgeons were selected by the judging panel based on a number of factors, including their work supporting clients and colleagues, their care for patients, and going above and beyond the normal call of duty.

The winner will be announced at the BVA’s Gala Dinner on 16 November.

Rebecca Hampson was nominated for co-founding Veterinary Education Malawi, a charity that provides free veterinary services to low-income communities and gives educational support to the country’s only veterinary school. Since 2021, she has treated more than 700 dogs and donkeys in Malawi.

Dr Hampson said: “I am so excited to have been shortlisted, it has been an incredibly busy but rewarding few years so this is a really welcome surprise. I really hope it will help to raise awareness of our mission in Malawi and encourage other vets to consider using their degree and skills to volunteer abroad.”

Henry Lamb has been shortlisted for his work on tackling avian influenza outbreaks and for encouraging other young veterinary surgeons to take up jobs in the poultry sector. He is a trustee of the regional mental health charity You Are Not Alone and joint leader of the Poultry Vet Development Group.

Dr Lamb said: “I feel incredibly honoured to have been nominated, let alone be shortlisted as a finalist, especially knowing the outstanding level of commitment and skill so many different members of the profession bring across clinical practice, research sectors, and beyond.”

Equine veterinary surgeon Camilla Church makes up the shortlist. She was nominated for setting up the ambulatory equine practice Perth Equine Vets, which started as a one person operation in 2020, and for her dedication in promoting the veterinary profession and equine welfare.

Dr Church said: "It was an absolute honour to be nominated, but I am completely astounded and humbled to make the final three. Congratulations to everyone, and I look forward to meeting the other two finalists at the BVA Gala Dinner.”

Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, BVA president Anna Judson said: “BVA’s Young Vet of the Year showcases exceptional vets from across the UK making an invaluable contribution to the profession.

“This year we have been blown away by all the incredible nominations, but these three young vets really stood out for their contribution to their fields and their commitment to their unique causes and passions. Congratulations to all of the finalists, you are a credit to the veterinary profession and we know you have bright futures ahead of you.”

Image (C) BVA