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BSAVA announces 2024 award winners
Dr Nick Jeffery will present the Bourgelat Lecture at BSAVA Congress 2024.

The awards recognise the veterinary profession’s unsung heroes.

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has announced the winners of its 2024 awards.

The Bourgelat Award went to Nick Jeffery, in recognition of his international contributions to small animal practice. His work has focussed on the pathological features of spinal cord injuries in dogs, as well as defining MRI based features of injury, which are utilised in the diagnosis and delivery of local therapies.

Dr Jeffery’s Bourgelat Lecture on ‘(Veterinary) Medicine is a playground of uncertainty’ will be presented at the next BSAVA Congress on 23 March.

Ben Walton has received the Simon Award, for his contributions to novel surgical techniques in small animal surgery. He has produced many peer-reviewed publications, and has trained nearly 500 surgeons across Europe on condylar fractures.

The Woodrow Award goes to Gerry Polton, for his work on the advancement of small animal medicine in a wider context. Dr Polton has written on a range of cancer subjects, but is most known for his work on canine anal sac gland tumours.

Elizabeth Villiers, a veterinary clinical pathologist, has won the Blaine Award for her contributions to small animal science. Her research has focussed on haematological malignancies and flow cytometry, with an interest in how her work applies to clinical cases.

Registered veterinary nurse Nicola Lakeman has been awarded the Bruce Vivash Jones Veterinary Nurse Award for her contributions to small animal veterinary nursing, She has written for many veterinary publications and lectures on nurse consulting and nutrition.

The Ray Butcher Award, named in honour of the former BSAVA president, went to Charlotte Russo for contributions to animal welfare. Shaun Opperman received the J.A. Wight Memorial Award for his veterinary and charity work supporting animal welfare.

Matt James received the PetSavers Veterinary Achievement Award and Shauna Creamer won the PetSavers Clinical Abstract Award for their respective research paper and clinical abstract.

Meanwhile, Sydney Simpson took the Dunkin Award for best published paper in the Journal of Small Animal Practice on small animal medicine. Sara Manzoni received the Melton Award for the small animal surgery category.

The awards will be presented in a ceremony at BSAVA Congress 2024 on Friday, 22 March.

BSAVA honorary secretary Dr Krista Arnold said: “There were many nominations this year which made it really difficult to choose, but the awards have gone to some really exceptional nominees. We look forward to formally presenting their awards in March.

“Congratulations to all our well-deserved winners!”

Images © BSAVA

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Vets launch new podcast for pet owners

News Story 1
 Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.

The venture, called Vets Talking Pets, provides advice and information on a range of topics, including how to select a suitable pet, where to obtain them and how to get the best out of your vet. Maggie and Vanessa will also discuss sensitive subjects, including end-of-life care, raw food diets and the cost of veterinary care.

The podcast can be found on all the usual podcast sites, including Podbean, Apple, Amazon Music and YouTube. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS Regional Question Time heads to Edinburgh

The RCVS is to bring its Regional Question Time (RQT) to Edinburgh for 2026.

The event will take place at Novotel Edinburgh Park in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

It will begin with supper and drinks at 6.30pm, with an evening programme from 7.30pm. This will start with an update on RCVS' activities, followed by questions and answers with representatives.

RCVS is encouraging an 'open dialogue', in which queries can be raised in a friendly, informal environment.

While discussions are expected to be audience-led, the RQT is expected address major issues including the VSA, the CMA's remedy package and the VN Vision project.

Tim Parkin, RCVS president, said: "It's an important time for the professions, and I'm looking forward to meeting colleagues in Scotland as we navigate this period of change together so we can come out stronger."

Tickets can be booked here.