20 Apr 2021
A vet who helped develop a new anaesthetic drug, a VN who has gone “above and beyond” throughout the pandemic, and a vet student who volunteered on COVID wards are among those honoured.
James Westgate
Job Title
A selection of the 2021 RCVS honours and awards winners. Clockwise from top right: Alison Lambert, Daniella Dos Santos, Kirsty Cavill and David Martin.
The RCVS has revealed the recipients of its 2021 honours and awards.
The Queen’s Medal – the highest honour the college can bestow – went to John (Iain) Glen, who was part of a team at AstraZeneca responsible for the discovery and development of the anaesthetic drug propofol, while emeritus professor Michael Day, who died in May 2020, was named as the recipient of the International Award.
A formal awards ceremony, hosted by RCVS president Mandisa Greene, will take place on 23 September 2021.
Dr Greene said: “I am so impressed by the breadth and depth of the awards nominations that we received this year, which demonstrate the very best that the veterinary professions have to offer.
“I am immensely happy and proud for them all, and look forward to formally being able to present them with their awards later this year.”
Queen’s Medal
The Queen’s Medal is the highest honour the RCVS can bestow on an individual veterinary surgeon, and recognises someone who has achieved a highly distinguished career with sustained and outstanding achievements throughout.
This year’s Queen’s Medal recipient is John (Iain) Glen, who was part of the team at AstraZeneca responsible for the discovery and development of the anaesthetic drug propofol, which is one of the world’s most common anaesthetics for medical and veterinary use.
VN Golden Jubilee Award
The RCVS Veterinary Nursing (VN) Golden Jubilee Award is aimed at veterinary nurses who have had a sustained and distinguished career, who can demonstrate a leadership role within the profession, and who can act as an ambassador for the value of veterinary nurses and their work.
The recipient of this year’s award is RVN Kirsty Cavill, a trained animal physiotherapist who has used her skills and knowledge to help older dogs with canine arthritis, and train and advise others on therapeutic techniques.
Honorary associateships
Stuart Carter is emeritus professor of veterinary pathology at the University of Liverpool Institution of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, and has worked at Liverpool’s Faculty of Veterinary Science since 1985.
Anthony Martin is a philanthropist with a particular interest in supporting national and international charities working with the veterinary profession to improve animal welfare through his Anthony V Martin Foundation.
Impact Awards
Alison Lambert is the founder and owner of veterinary business consultancy Onswitch, which looks to help veterinary businesses create customer-centred practice so that pets, horses and livestock receive the best care.
Gwenllian Rees was nominated for her involvement in the Arwain Vet Cymru (AVC) project, a collaborative national antimicrobial stewardship programme for all farm vets in Wales.
Inspiration Awards
BVA senior vice-president Daniella Dos Santos has been nominated for the leadership role she took during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mandy Peffers is a Wellcome Trust Clinical Intermediate Fellow in Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science at the Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences at the University of Liverpool.
International Award
The recipient of this year’s International Award is emeritus professor Michael Day, who died in May 2020, and has been nominated posthumously by Frances Barr, a veterinary surgeon who worked with him as a colleague at the University of Bristol and when Prof Day was chair of the BSAVA education committee.
Dr Barr said: “Michael Day was a prolific researcher and writer, focusing on companion animal immune-mediated and infectious diseases. His contributions to the field were acknowledged by many awards, including the BSAVA Amoroso Award (1999), the RCVS Trust’s G Norman Hall medal (2003) and the Petplan Charitable Trust Scientific Award (2009).”
Compassion Awards
David Martin is a partner at Brownlow Veterinary Group in Shropshire, who has been described as a consistent advocate for pet, client and team welfare within the non-accidental injury field for many years.
RVN Olivia Wassell has worked at Blue Cross Animal Hospital in Hammersmith, London, since late 2019, and has been praised by her colleagues for her professionalism, positive attitude and dedication to animal health and welfare.
Student Community Award
Jack Church is a fourth-year veterinary student at the University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine who, in addition to his studies, spent much of last year volunteering at an adult intensive care COVID-19 ward, completing 12-hour shifts undertaking tasks such as helping the doctors and nurses put on their PPE, rolling ventilated patients, disinfecting PPE and transporting supplies.
Lavinia Economu is a final-year student at the RVC and is one of the driving forces behind Animal Aspirations, a student-led organisation that seeks to inspire young people from black, Asian and minority ethnic, and different socio-economic backgrounds into the veterinary professions.
