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RCVS announces recipients of its 2021 Honours and Awards
A formal awards ceremony, hosted by Dr Greene, will take place on Thursday, 23 September 2021.

Vets, vet nurses and vet students acknowledged by regulatory body.

The RCVS has recognised the outstanding work of veterinary professionals who have gone above and beyond in their work, as part of this year's RCVS Honours & Awards.

Among this year's winners were Dr John (Iain) Glen MRCVS from AstraZeneca, who won the Queen's Medal for his contribution to the discovery and development of the widely-used anaesthetic drug propofol and  Dr Daniella Dos Santos MRCVS, who received the Inspiration Award for her role in supporting the profession during the pandemic.

The VN Golden Jubilee Award was presented to animal physiotherapist Kirsty Cavill RVN, who has helped countless older dogs with canine arthritis, as well as educating and advising others on therapeutic techniques.

The RCVS International Award was awarded to Emeritus Professor Michael Day from the University of Bristol, who sadly passed away in May 2020.

This year the RCVS introduced two new awards: the Compassion Award, which recognises a veterinary surgeon or nurse who has demonstrated compassion towards colleagues and/or pet owners; and the RCVS Student Community Award, which is bestowed upon a veterinary or veterinary nursing student who has strived to support their fellow students and the wider community.

The inaugural recipients of the Compassion Award are Dr David Martin of the Brownlow Veterinary Group in Shropshire and Olivia Wassell RVN from the Blue Cross Animal Hospital in Hammersmith, London.

Two students received the RCVS Student Community Award: Jack Church, who spent much of last year volunteering at an adult ICU COVID-19 ward alongside his studies at Surrey Vet School, and Lavinia Economu from the Royal Veterinary College, who is a driving force behind the student-led organisation Animal Aspirations. This group works to inspire young people from BAME communities into the veterinary professions.

Dr Mandisa Greene MRCVS, RCVS president, said: “From veterinary students to veterinary surgeons and nurses who have been practising for decades, all our award winners demonstrate that veterinary professionals and veterinary science has a profound and positive impact not only on animal health and welfare but also wider society. 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.”

For a full list of the awards and winners, please visit the RCVS website.

A formal awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, 23 September 2021.

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BSAVA partners with BVA Live 2026

News Story 1
 BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.

The organisation will be supporting BVA Live's Clinical Abstracts programme, showcasing selected abstracts of veterinary research throughout the event.

The clinical abstracts can be on any small animal veterinary subject, and must be based on research undertaken in industry, practice or academia. Abstracts can be presented in poster or oral formats.

Submissions will open on 15th December 2025, and close on 6th March 2026. You can register interest here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.