RCVS to hold special evening event celebrating veterinary excellence

The RCVS will be holding a special evening event next month to celebrate the recipients of this year’s various RCVS honours and awards, which includes a talk from celebrated surgeon, author and humanitarian Professor David Nott.

The Honours & Awards Evening, which will be held entirely online, takes place via livestream from 7pm on Thursday 10 September 2020 and attendance is free and open to all members and associates of the RCVS.

After a welcome from RCVS Senior Vice-President Dr Niall Connell, the evening will then move on to the presentation of various awards, which are as follows:

• Presentation of the RCVS Queen’s Medal Award to Dr Mary Stewart
• Presentation of the RCVS Inspiration Award to Dr Freda Scott-Park
• Presentation of the RCVS Impact Awards to Dr Rosie Allister and Hannah Capon
• Presentation of RCVS Honorary Associateships to Professor Maureen Bain, Inspector Mike Flynn and Professor Roberto La Ragione
• Presentation of RCVS Diplomas
• Presentation of the Sarah Brown Mental Health Research Grants by the Mind Matters Initiative
• Presentation of the Plowright Prize, the Veterinary Evidence Student Award and the RCVS Knowledge Awards by the College’s charity partner RCVS Knowledge.

Following the presentation of the awards, there will be a keynote speech from Professor David Nott OBE (pictured) whose presentation is titled 'Resilience in the face of fear and uncertainty: reflections from a doctor on the frontline'. Professor Nott is a renowned surgeon and humanitarian who, during his more than 25 year medical career, has volunteered his services to war and disaster zones across the globe.

His recently published memoir War Doctor: Surgery on the Frontline was a bestseller and he also founded the David Nott Foundation which aims to provide surgeons and medical professionals working in some of the world’s most hostile environments with the skills and confidence they need to save lives. Professor Nott’s speech will be followed by a question and answers session.

Dr Niall Connell commented: “I am so glad that Professor Nott will be joining us on this evening – no one who has heard him talk about his experiences in Syria or read his work could be failed to be moved, humbled, and horrified but also, ultimately, filled with a bit of hope by what he has witnessed. He has experienced both the very worst, but also the very best of what humanity has to offer and I am sure his speech will be equally inspiring.

“I am also greatly looking forward to recognising some of the very best of what the UK veterinary professions and its associates have to offer when I bestow the RCVS Awards upon their very well-deserving recipients.

"Normally, our awards ceremony would be held as part of our Annual General Meeting but, due to coronavirus, we decided to hold this special dedicated awards evening where we can truly celebrate all the good work that is being done to benefit the profession and safeguard animal health and welfare. I do hope that many veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses can attend – it will be a fantastic evening.”

The evening will end at approximately 8.15pm and those who wish to attend the free event can register their interest via a dedicated registration form. 

For those that are unable to join the live event, the evening will be also be recorded and made available to watch afterwards.