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BVA award winners announced at Members' Day
Outgoing BVA president Dr Malcolm Morley alongside BVA Council Impact Award winner Dr Elysé Summerfield-Smith.

Six awards were presented at the event in Glasgow.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has announced the winners of this year’s BVA veterinary awards, which celebrate outstanding contributions to the profession.

Six awards were presented at the BVA’s annunal Member’s Day, held on 28 September at Trades Hall in Glasgow.

The BVA Advancement of Veterinary Science Award (Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal) was awarded to Dr Richard Sibley in recognition of his scientific research into herd health and his work as a mentor and teacher to younger veterinary surgeons.

Dr Jane Ladlow was awarded the BVA Outstanding Service Award (Chiron Award) for her research into the treatment of diseases linked to bracychephalic conformation and her contribution to the development of The Kennel Club and University of Cambridge’s Respiratory Function Grading Scheme.

The BVA Council Impact Award (John Bleby Cup) went to Dr Elysé Summerfield-Smith for her contribution to the BVA Council as a graduate representative.

Receiving the award, Dr Summerfield-Smith said: “I am especially proud that it is for work in representing the views of the newest members of the veterinary community. I feel that any contribution I may have made to the BVA Council over the past two years is a reflection of the level of engagement that the young vet community has in driving policy change.”

The winner of the BVA Research Travel Scholarship (Harry Steele-Bodger Scholarship) was Dr Kimberly Tam, who will be taking up a position as a volunteer veterinary surgeon with a charity in St Vincent and the Grenadines. During her gap year, she worked as a volunteer in Borneo, before studying at the Royal Veterinary College.

The founder of Worldwide Veterinary Service and Mission Rabies, Luke Gamble, received the BVA Animal Health and Welfare Overseas Award (J. Trevor Blackburn Award) for his commitment to advancing animal welfare.

Dr Gamble said: “Everything I have had the privilege to be a part of relating to international animal welfare has been the result of inspiring colleagues, mentors, friends, a very supportive family, and tremendous supporters, who drive the projects on and consistently go the extra mile to enable these incredible ventures to win.”

The Vet Record Impact Award was presented to Angela Heeley, Dave Brodbelt, Dan O’Neill, David Church and Lucy Davison for their research paper on glucocorticoid and antibiotic exposure as risk factors for diabetes mellitus.

Commenting on the awards, outgoing BVA president Malcolm Morley said: “This year’s BVA achievements awards spotlight an inspirational group of veterinary professionals, whose hard work, dedication and talent have in a variety of ways helped advance veterinary science and the profession or improved the lives of animals across the UK, and in many cases all three.

“I congratulate and thank them on behalf of the team at BVA and the profession for their outstanding work.”

 

Image (C) BVA

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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...
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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.