Practice Stars Awards celebrate those going the extra mile for team morale

The joint Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) and Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) Practice Stars Awards saw 50 members of the veterinary team nominated as ‘Practice Stars’ in recognition of their contribution to staff wellbeing and morale during an incredibly difficult year.

The 50 people nominated for the awards included veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, student vets & VNs, animal care assistants, practice managers, technicians, receptionists and other support staff – all of whom were nominated for going the extra mile to make their practice a happy place to work.

All of the award recipients were entered into a prize draw to receive one of three pairs of tickets to SPVS-VMG Congress 2021. The winning Practice Stars were:

• Hannah Brown, Patient Care Assistant for Medivet Stapleton in Nottinghamshire. Hannah was nominated by Medivet Area Manager Grainne Freeman for being ‘a superstar during the times of Covid’, having helped out in various different sites ‘without any fuss’ and ‘making a huge difference to the teams she has helped’.
• Jessica Hewitt, Head Veterinary Nurse at the George Vet Group in Wiltshire. Group Director Linda Belton, who is also a member of RCVS Council, said that Jessica had recently received the group’s ‘Going the extra mile’ award because of the positive impact she has on her team. In particular she praised how she ‘leads and manages with integrity, humour, compassion and drive’ and how she cares for the team and the animals under their care.
• Michelle Boyer from the Client Care Team of Pennard Vets in Kent. Director Dr Caroline Collins says that Michelle is ‘always there for you, she always tries her best to make everyone happy and she is the most compassionate person I've ever met.’

Lisa Quigley, Mind Matters Initiative Manager, said: “The quality of the nominations we received this year were very high and all are deserving of praise and recognition, particularly during a year that has been so difficult, for doing what they can to support and encourage colleagues."

Liz Barton, SPVS Board wellbeing representative added, “If there was one over-arching theme amongst all the submissions it is that small kindnesses, actions, gestures and comments can have an enormously positive impact on the wellbeing and morale of veterinary teams. Many congratulations to all those who were nominated and our three winners.”