Veselina award winner, with the new BVA officer team 

Dr Veselina Trufcheve-Edwards and Natalie Bubenheim were recognised at BVA Members’ Day.

Two veterinary professionals have been honoured for their dedication and achievements at BVA Members’ Day.

Dr Veselina Trufcheve-Edwards received the BVA Council Impact Award (Bieby Cup) and Natalie Bubenheim was presented with the BVA Research Travel Scholarship at the annual event in London.

Veselina, who qualified in 2006 from Trakia University, Bulgaria, has been working as a small animal vet in the UK for 13 years. In February 2023, she was elected for BVA Council as its London representative and has since contributed actively to debates and hosted many visits for BVA’s team.

She received the BVA Council Impact Award (Bleby Cup), which is presented annually to the BVA Council, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the team at BVA HQ. 

Veselina said: “I am honoured and at the same time deeply moved to receive the John Bleby Cup. I am grateful to be part of an organisation that shapes the future for the veterinary profession and honoured to represent the diverse voices of our London region. 

“Working with likeminded and passionate individuals, channelling all BVA tools to support others and representing members at council meetings to shape new policy, has been an empowering experience, both personally and professionally.” 

Natalie Bubenheim, a final year veterinary student at the University of Edinburgh, has a strong interest in wildlife and livestock health in low income regions. During her first degree, she spent six months studying in South Africa, which inspired her to pursue veterinary medicine and improve the health of animals in Southern Africa.

She received the BVA Research Travel Scholarship (Harry Steele-Bodger Memorial Scholarship Fund) to assist her towards her contribution to a project analysing the performance and health indicators in a commercial goat and sheep. 

Natalie said: “I’m incredibly grateful for the funding which has made this project possible. Without this support, I would not have been able to travel to Malawi to carry out the research on-site. The opportunity to collaborate directly with local students and staff, visit the farms, and understand the real-world conditions is essential to the success and impact of the project. This funding is not only enabling valuable research into herd health and productivity but also helping strengthen veterinary education and food security in the Lilongwe community.” 

Outgoing BVA president, Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux, said: “It is such a pleasure to be able to highlight the achievements and dedication of exceptional members of the veterinary profession and these prestigious awards go to worthy winners. Veselina’s dedication to the BVA Council and her efforts to always represent the voices of those in her region demonstrate her passion and dedication. We have also always noticed how she always takes the time to thank people for their own hard work. In a challenging profession, the simple kindness of a few words of thanks goes a long way.  

“BVA trustees were really impressed with Natalie’s application and exciting choice of project – they especially liked the fact it combines building her skills, benefits to animal welfare and sharing her knowledge with local students. This is a really special project and we know Natalie has a bright future ahead of her.”  

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