BVA Members’ Day – Celebrating the profession

John Fishwick concluded his year as BVA President with his final presidential address to over 100 delegates at BVA Members’ Day at the National STEM Learning Centre in York. In his speech, John emphasised that the veterinary profession will need to work together to weather challenges ahead and push for the best possible outcomes for animal welfare and workforce resilience. John will continue on the BVA Officer team as Senior Vice President.

In BVA’s AGM, Queen’s University Belfast's Veterinary Consultant and Senior Lecturer Simon Doherty was elected BVA President for 2018/2019. Kent-based exotics and companion animal vet Daniella Dos Santos was elected Junior Vice President, and will join Simon and John on BVA's Officer team for 2018/2019.

At BVA Members’ Day, a new partnership was announced between BVA and graduate support specialist Grads to Vets to help young vets to realise their potential when they enter the workplace.

Vets receive awards celebrating achievements

A number of awards were made to vets across the profession at BVA Members’ Day. These included BVA awards for outstanding contributions to veterinary science and services to the profession in the UK and in developing countries, travel awards for veterinary students and recent graduates, and contributions to BVA Council.

The Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal

The Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal for work of outstanding merit, which it is considered will encourage the advancement of veterinary science, was awarded to Professor Julie Fitzpatrick OBE in recognition of her significant work leading research into livestock health and welfare both in the UK and internationally.

The Chiron Award

The Chiron Award, presented by BVA for outstanding contributions to veterinary science or for outstanding services to the profession, judged in either case as being of a calibre commanding international or inter-professional recognition, was awarded to Dr Anthony Andrews for his lifetime’s work advancing expertise and specialism in the ruminant sector. 

The Bleby Cup

The Bleby Cup was awarded to Winchester’s David Harwood, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to BVA Council, the Association’s key debating chamber and decision-making body, particularly in relation to goat welfare.

The Harry Steele-Bodger Memorial Scholarship

The Harry Steele-Bodger Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Helen Inzani for her project working with vets and scientists in their endeavours to rehabilitate birds of prey and learn about the techniques they use.

BVA Overseas Travel Grants

BVA Overseas Travel Grants were also awarded to Rosie Bartholomew (Edinburgh) for a project she undertook earlier this year on the challenges faced by female dairy farmers in the Likuni district, Malawi, and to Rachel Hartley Young (Cambridge) for her study on the estimates of feline populations and a survey of ownership patterns and public opinions regarding cats in the Galapagos.

Vet Record Impact award

The President also announced the Vet Record Impact award, which recognises the research paper published in BVA’s journal over the last 12 months that is considered likely to have the most significant practical impact. The winners this year are Bristol University MSc student Emma Doherty while working with Professor Richard Wall in Bristol’s School of Biological Sciences, in collaboration with co-authors Dr Stewart Burgess at the Moredun Research Institute and Dr Sian Mitchell at the Animal and Plant Health Agency for a research paper on managing scab mites in UK sheep flocks. The work was supported by Zoetis Animal Health.

This year’s keynote speech was delivered by Dr Ryad Alsous, beekeeping expert, refugee and founder of the innovative Buzz project, giving a unique perspective on bee medicine and agriculture in Syria and the UK.

BVA members were also treated to an exhibition of winning photographs from the 2018 BVA Veterinary Photographer of the Year competition.