3 May 2022
A total of 14 winners in 7 categories have been announced ahead of the awards ceremony on 8 July.
Vet Times
Job Title
The RCVS has announced the winners of its 2022 awards, with an eminent academic and a veterinary mental health volunteer among those recognised.
Seven award categories were designated this year: The Queen’s Medal, Honorary Associateship, The RCVS Impact Award, The RCVS Inspiration Award, The RCVS International Award, The RCVS Compassion Award and The RCVS Student Community Award.
The Queen’s Medal is the highest honour the RCVS can bestow upon a vet in recognition of a highly distinguished career, with sustained and outstanding achievements throughout.
This year, the medal went to Mike Herrtage, for his long-standing contribution to teaching, scientific research and the veterinary profession through providing his expertise to numerous veterinary organisations and charities.
Honorary associateship of the college is a prestigious honour conferred in recognition of special contribution to the veterinary sphere.
This year, there were three recipients of the honorary associateship: retired mammalogist Norma Chapman; director of admissions and student support manager at University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine Joyce Wason; and Vetlife volunteer Jane Wilson.
The impact award was launched in 2017 and is bestowed upon a vet or a vet nurse who has recently, or is currently, undertaking a project, initiative or similar that has a significant impact on the profession at large, animal health or welfare, or public health.
The two recipients are WellVet and VetMums co-founder Liz Barton, and Clare Rusbridge, professor of veterinary neurology at the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
The inspiration award is given to a vet or vet nurse who has demonstrated the ability to inspire and enthuse others.
The two recipients of this year’s inspiration award are president of VetMentor Alex Davies, and Brian Faulkner, who was nominated for his championing of non-clinical skills in veterinary practice as a way of improving the vet-client-patient relationship and the well-being of the veterinary team.
The RCVS International Award, first bestowed in 2017, recognises vets, vet nurses or laypeople who have worked internationally, from either within or outside the UK.
Recipients of this year’s international award are welfare consultant and RVN Miranda Luck, and Holger Volk, head of the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, and honorary professor of veterinary neurology and neurosurgery at the RVC.
The compassion award was launched in 2020 to reflect the focus of the RCVS on compassion, as part of its 2020-24 strategic plan, and recognises a vet or vet nurse who has demonstrated compassion towards fellow professionals, and/or members of the animal-owning public.
The recipients of the compassion award are lecturer and mental health first aider Glen Cousquer, and chair of Vetlife Helpline Katie Moore.
The student community award recognises a vet or vet nurse student who has made a real effort to support their fellow students, and the wider veterinary/veterinary nursing school community, including the local community where their institution is based.
The two recipients of this year’s award are final-year student at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine Paul Gogerty and University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science student Fergus Mitchell.
The awards will be presented to the recipients at this year’s RCVS annual general meeting and awards, which takes place on Friday 8 July at One Great George Street, Westminster.
Full details of all the winners and nominators are available online.
