News & Reports awards
Spotlight on outstanding veterinary staff and practices THE winners of this year’s Petplan Veterinary Awards winners were announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on April 9. Petplan says that a record-breaking 15,000 nominations were received for the awards, which ‘seek to shine a light on the UK’s outstanding vets, vet nurses, practices, practice managers and vet support staff who are instrumental in keeping the nation’s pets happy and healthy’. Steve Kirby, of Ashlands Veterinary Centre in north Yorkshire, was named as Vet of the Year. The independent panel of judges said they were particularly impressed by his tireless enthusiasm for each new case. ‘It’s clear that he enjoys the fact that no two days are the same,’ they said. They added that Mr Kirby faced each new challenge with boundless energy: ‘whether undertaking emergency procedures, working up interesting medicine cases or reconstructing complex fractures, he always gives his role 100 per cent’. Audrey Kelly of the Inglis Veterinary Hospital in Dunfermline was chosen as the Vet Nurse of the Year, with the judges saying that her long-term dedication to teaching student veterinary nurses really stood out. Ms Kelly was recently sent by Inglis Vets to train veterinary assistants and animal care staff at the Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals in Malawi. ‘She always strives to provide the highest standard of care to every patient, and the passion she feels for her job is clear for all to see,’ the judges said. This year’s Practice of the Year was Bute and Cowal Vets, a mixed practice with five full-time vets in the towns of Rothesay, Isle of Bute, and Dunoon, in Argyll, Scotland. The judges were particularly impressed by the practice’s passion for the animals it treats and its enthusiasm in helping any animal in need. ‘No case is too big or too small for the team,’ they said. Val Marsh of Blacks Vets in Dudley was named as the Practice Manager of the Year. Ms Marsh has worked at the surgery for the past 15 years and has been in charge of many projects, including its drive towards becoming an RCVS accredited Veterinary Hospital. She oversees the management of the five branches and more than 80 staff. The judges said it was clear that Ms Marsh enjoyed working in a position where she could make a difference by ensuring that every member of the practice team felt confident of their professional ability, appreciated and encouraged by way of 534 | Veterinary Record | May 23, 2015
All of the finalists for this year’s Petplan Veterinary Awards gather on the stage at the awards ceremony
Steve Kirby (centre), the Petplan Vet of the Year for 2015, with Alexander Armstrong (left), who hosted the awards ceremony, and Sean Wensley (right), the BVA junior vice-president and member of the awards judging panel
training, and supported to maintain the high standards expected of them. ‘This ethos ensures that the surgery continues to provide exceptional levels of care to their clients and patients,’ the judges commented. Victoria Smith of Blue House Veterinary Centre in Staffordshire, was the winner of this year’s Practice Support Staff of the Year award. Ms Smith is the practice’s longest-serving receptionist and an integral member of the team. The judging panel was particularly impressed by the extent to which she put all visitors to the surgery at ease. ‘It is evident to the panel that Victoria is a natural communicator, and she brings this element of her personality to the role,’ they said.
Marcia Titterton, also of the Blue House Veterinary Centre in Staffordshire was named as Insurance Adviser of the Year. The judging panel commended her expertise in responding to a full range of insurance claims, noting that she was a point of reference for colleagues and clients alike and ‘an approachable point of contact for all’. Also at the ceremony, Adrian Boswood, professor of veterinary cardiology at the Royal Veterinary College, was awarded the Petplan Charitable Trust Scientific Award. The award recognises what in the opinion of the judging team are the most valuable research projects undertaken by an individual or team at one of the veterinary schools or the Animal Health Trust in the previous five years, or an individual or team who has consistently made a major contribution to veterinary research in the UK. ‘The Veterinary Awards are Petplan’s way of saying a huge thank you to those members of the veterinary profession who care for the nation’s pets with such dedication,’ said Isabella Von Mesterhàzy, the company’s head of marketing. ‘Whether it’s for a routine check-up, or to treat a more unexpected illness, these committed individuals and teams really are irreplaceable, and it’s wonderful to be able to thank them in such a public way through these awards. We’re elated to be able to announce our deserving winners, and congratulate them on their fantastic achievement.’ doi: 10.1136/vr.h2714
Copyright of Veterinary Record: Journal of the British Veterinary Association is the property of BMJ Publishing Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
Spotlight on outstanding veterinary staff and practices THE winners of this year’s Petplan Veterinary Awards winners were announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on April 9. Petplan says that a record-breaking 15,000 nominations were received for the awards, which ‘seek to shine a light on the UK’s outstanding vets, vet nurses, practices, practice managers and vet support staff who are instrumental in keeping the nation’s pets happy and healthy’. Steve Kirby, of Ashlands Veterinary Centre in north Yorkshire, was named as Vet of the Year. The independent panel of judges said they were particularly impressed by his tireless enthusiasm for each new case. ‘It’s clear that he enjoys the fact that no two days are the same,’ they said. They added that Mr Kirby faced each new challenge with boundless energy: ‘whether undertaking emergency procedures, working up interesting medicine cases or reconstructing complex fractures, he always gives his role 100 per cent’. Audrey Kelly of the Inglis Veterinary Hospital in Dunfermline was chosen as the Vet Nurse of the Year, with the judges saying that her long-term dedication to teaching student veterinary nurses really stood out. Ms Kelly was recently sent by Inglis Vets to train veterinary assistants and animal care staff at the Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals in Malawi. ‘She always strives to provide the highest standard of care to every patient, and the passion she feels for her job is clear for all to see,’ the judges said. This year’s Practice of the Year was Bute and Cowal Vets, a mixed practice with five full-time vets in the towns of Rothesay, Isle of Bute, and Dunoon, in Argyll, Scotland. The judges were particularly impressed by the practice’s passion for the animals it treats and its enthusiasm in helping any animal in need. ‘No case is too big or too small for the team,’ they said. Val Marsh of Blacks Vets in Dudley was named as the Practice Manager of the Year. Ms Marsh has worked at the surgery for the past 15 years and has been in charge of many projects, including its drive towards becoming an RCVS accredited Veterinary Hospital. She oversees the management of the five branches and more than 80 staff. The judges said it was clear that Ms Marsh enjoyed working in a position where she could make a difference by ensuring that every member of the practice team felt confident of their professional ability, appreciated and encouraged by way of 534 | Veterinary Record | May 23, 2015
All of the finalists for this year’s Petplan Veterinary Awards gather on the stage at the awards ceremony
Steve Kirby (centre), the Petplan Vet of the Year for 2015, with Alexander Armstrong (left), who hosted the awards ceremony, and Sean Wensley (right), the BVA junior vice-president and member of the awards judging panel
training, and supported to maintain the high standards expected of them. ‘This ethos ensures that the surgery continues to provide exceptional levels of care to their clients and patients,’ the judges commented. Victoria Smith of Blue House Veterinary Centre in Staffordshire, was the winner of this year’s Practice Support Staff of the Year award. Ms Smith is the practice’s longest-serving receptionist and an integral member of the team. The judging panel was particularly impressed by the extent to which she put all visitors to the surgery at ease. ‘It is evident to the panel that Victoria is a natural communicator, and she brings this element of her personality to the role,’ they said.
Marcia Titterton, also of the Blue House Veterinary Centre in Staffordshire was named as Insurance Adviser of the Year. The judging panel commended her expertise in responding to a full range of insurance claims, noting that she was a point of reference for colleagues and clients alike and ‘an approachable point of contact for all’. Also at the ceremony, Adrian Boswood, professor of veterinary cardiology at the Royal Veterinary College, was awarded the Petplan Charitable Trust Scientific Award. The award recognises what in the opinion of the judging team are the most valuable research projects undertaken by an individual or team at one of the veterinary schools or the Animal Health Trust in the previous five years, or an individual or team who has consistently made a major contribution to veterinary research in the UK. ‘The Veterinary Awards are Petplan’s way of saying a huge thank you to those members of the veterinary profession who care for the nation’s pets with such dedication,’ said Isabella Von Mesterhàzy, the company’s head of marketing. ‘Whether it’s for a routine check-up, or to treat a more unexpected illness, these committed individuals and teams really are irreplaceable, and it’s wonderful to be able to thank them in such a public way through these awards. We’re elated to be able to announce our deserving winners, and congratulate them on their fantastic achievement.’ doi: 10.1136/vr.h2714
Copyright of Veterinary Record: Journal of the British Veterinary Association is the property of BMJ Publishing Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
