Join the College for a day of awards and recognition at RCVS Day 2017

Tickets are now available for this year’s Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Day – the College’s Annual General Meeting and awards ceremony – at the Royal Institute of British Architects on Friday 7 July.

The occasion starts at 10am with a meeting of RCVS Council in which newly elected members of both RCVS Council and VN Council will take up their four-year terms. This will also be an opportunity to say farewell to retiring members of the respective councils.

The Annual General Meeting will be followed with an awards ceremony at 11am recognising those who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to the veterinary profession and related fields.

Former RCVS President and Council member Dr Barry Johnson will be receiving the Queen’s Medal, the highest honour the College can bestow upon a veterinary surgeon, for his long and distinguished career in clinical practice, education and international work.

Former VN Council Chair Kathy Kissick will be receiving the Golden Jubilee Award, the highest honour we can bestow upon a veterinary nurse, in recognition of her dedication to advancing veterinary nurse training and education throughout the course of her career.

Two Honorary Associateships will also be bestowed over the course of the day. Heather Armstrong, Director of the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust, will be receiving an Honorary Associateship in recognition of her dedication to animal health and welfare. Duncan Maskell, Marks & Spencer Professor of Farm Animal Health, Food Science and Food Safety at the University of Cambridge has been recognised for his research into infectious diseases. A Fellowship by thesis will also be awarded to Dr Anthony Lepper, while a number of RCVS Diplomas will be awarded.

Finally, Christophe Buhot, former President of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), will be receiving a special international award in recognition of him championing the Vet Futures project in FVE, his native France and across other European countries.

Following the awards ceremony Chris Tufnell will give his final address as RCVS President, followed by a presentation by guest speaker Dr Ebony Escalona from the equine veterinary charity Brooke – Action for Working Horses and Donkeys who will be talking about veterinary careers, women in leadership, One Health and innovation. Once the guest speaker finishes there will be the formal investiture of Professor Stephen May as RCVS President for 2017-18.

The formal part of the day is set to conclude at 12.45pm, followed by lunch and drinks. Those who wish to attend the occasion should contact Emma Lockley, Senior Events Officer, on [email protected]. Please note that tickets are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year a separate awards ceremony will be taking place at ZSL London Zoo on Tuesday 27 June for veterinary nurses who are receiving their Diplomas in Advanced Veterinary Nursing. To attend this event contact Chloe Baxter from the College’s Veterinary Nursing Department on [email protected]