RCVS president Dr Niall Connell congratulated the award winners.

Renowned vet Dr Mary Stewart awarded Queen's Medal

The recipients of the 2020 RCVS Honours and Awards have been revealed.

This year's winners include renowned veterinary surgeon Dr Mary Stewart, who pioneered an ethical approach to the vet-client-patient environment, and Dr Freda Scott-Park, a campaigner on identifying the links between animal and other forms of abuse.

Microbiologist and pathologist Professor Roberto La Ragione, who was involved in the development of Surrey vet school, and Hannah Capon, the co-founder and director of Canine Arthritis Management, have also been named winners.

“My hearty congratulations to all of this year’s award winners. Once again, it was a very strong field of people who have made and are making an indelible impact on veterinary science, the professions, animal health and welfare, food safety, public health, and plenty more besides," commented RCVS president, Dr Niall Connell.

"These are very tough times for the profession and the country as a whole, but these awards are a reminder of just how much talent, knowledge, and skill we have to offer our animals, our fellow human beings and our country when we work together for the greater good.”

The winners will collect their awards at a combined Royal College Day and Fellowship Day, scheduled to take place at the Royal Institution on 2 October 2020.

Queen's Medal

The Queen’s Medal is the highest honour that a veterinary surgeon can receive from the RCVS. Launched in 2013 with permission of Her Majesty the Queen, it recognises veterinary surgeons who have achieved highly-distinguished careers and whose outstanding achievements deserve recognition.

The recipient of this year’s Queen’s Medal is Dr Mary Stewart, a retired academic who spent much of her career at the University of Glasgow where she was responsible for the development of the modern veterinary school.Dr Stewart's nominator, RVC Professor Stuart Reid, said:

“Mary Stewart is one of the unsung heroes of the veterinary profession. A veterinarian graduating from Cornell in 1949, Mary has been MRCVS since 1951 and without doubt, has been one of the major influencers of ethical approaches in the vet-client-patient environment and, in particular, the impact of euthanasia on both owners and attending veterinarians.”

Inspiration Award

Dr Freda Scott-Park has been named winner of the RCVS Inspiration Award, an honour that recognises an individual's ability to inspire and enthuse others throughout their career.

Dr Scott-Park is a former president of both the BVA and the BSAVA, as well as the current coordinator of the Highlands & Islands Veterinary Services Scheme. She is also a campaigner for identifying the links between animal and other forms of abuse through The Links Group.

Impact Award

The Impact Award is given to veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses who have recently made a considerable impact that has affected the profession at large, animal health or welfare, or public health.

This year two Impact Awards have been bestowed. The first is to Dr Rosie Allister, a leading campaigner and researcher for and about veterinary mental health. Rosie is also a veterinary educator, the manager of the Vetlife Helpline and a member of the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative Taskforce.

The second Impact Award recipient is Hannah Capon, the co-founder and director of Canine Arthritis Management (CAM), a self-funded social enterprise that provides advice to both other veterinary professionals and animal owners on the treatment and management of arthritis in dogs.

Honorary Associateships

Honorary Associateships are bestowed to those who are not veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses but who are making a considerable impact in the veterinary sphere. The RCVS is awarding three Honorary Associateships this year, following several years in which none were awarded.

This year's Honorary Associateship award winners have been named as Professor Maureen Bain, who has dedicated her career to research on improving the quality and safety of eggs for human consumption; SSPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn, for his collaborative work with the veterinary profession in areas such as the illegal puppy trade and the Links Group; and Professor Roberto La Ragione, for his contribution to veterinary education and research.

Depth of excellence

The RCVS Honours and Awards represent the breadth and depth of excellence in the veterinary professions, paying tribute to those who go above and beyond in areas such as research, animal welfare, education and more.

No Golden Jubilee Award or International Awards will be bestowed this year.