Nominations open for RCVS 2024 Honours & Awards

Nominations have opened for our the RCVS 2024 Honours & Awards, which recognise veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and laypeople, in the UK and overseas, doing their utmost for animal health and welfare, the professions and society at large.

For the first time, some of our awards will also be open to self-nomination, with veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who feel they meet the criteria for their chosen award being able to put themselves forward, although at least two supporting statements will still be required.

The RCVS awards for which nominations can be made this year are:

• The Queen’s Medal – an award for a veterinary surgeon who has achieved a highly distinguished career with sustained and outstanding achievements throughout.
• The Veterinary Nursing Golden Jubilee Award – awarded to a veterinary nurse who has had a sustained and distinguished career, who can demonstrate a leadership role within the profession and who can act as an ambassador for the value of veterinary nurses and their work.
• The RCVS International Award – awarded to veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses or laypeople (ie those who are neither MRCVS nor RVNs) who have made an outstanding contribution on issues that are in line with the RCVS mission. Self-nominations are allowed.
• The RCVS Impact Award – awarded to veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses who have recently, or are currently, undertaking a project, initiative or similar that has a significant impact on the profession at large, animal health or welfare, or public health. Self-nominations are allowed.
• The RCVS Inspiration Award – awarded to veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses at any stage of their career who have demonstrated the ability to inspire and enthuse others consistently throughout. Self-nominations are allowed.
• Honorary Associateship – awarded to laypeople who have made a special contribution to the veterinary sphere and could include, for example, scientists, lecturers, journalists, charity-workers, farriers, farmers and those involved in the commercial field.
• The RCVS Compassion Award – awarded to a veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse at any stage of their career who has demonstrated compassion towards fellow professionals and/or members of the animal-owning public. Self-nominations are allowed.
• The RCVS Student Community Award – awarded to a veterinary or veterinary nursing student who has made a real effort to support their fellow students and the wider veterinary/veterinary nursing school community. Self-nominations are allowed.

RCVS President Dr Sue Paterson FRCVS, said: “The power of having your hard work and dedication recognised by your friends and colleagues cannot be underestimated. We are a humble and mighty profession and there are so many amazing people out there, many of whom do not realise just how incredible and influential they are. Please do take the time to look through our award categories and nominate anyone who you think would be suited for an award.”

Earlier this year Co. Down vet Mark Little won the Impact Award.

Dr Little was jointly president of the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) Northern Ireland branch and the Northern Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA) for 2021/2022, a crucial time for the country’s veterinary sector as the impact of the post-EU Exit arrangements under the Northern Ireland Protocol were being worked out.

On receiving the award he said he was truly delighted and deeply honoured, and was glad that his work was recognised by the RCVS.

“I have worked hard to ensure the continued supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland, simply because it is the right thing to do,” he said.

“The risk of losing over half the veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland would have had a devastating and unthinkable effect on animal health and welfare.

“Not only does this recognise my achievements, but it also highlights the work of the team within NIVA, BVA NI and wider. Therefore, I want to dedicate this award to all who have supported this cause and helped achieve the extension to the grace period. On behalf of all the animals in Northern Ireland, I thank you.”

To read the guidance on making a nomination and to download the PDF nomination forms for each of the awards, visit our dedicated Honours & Awards page.

A series of video interviews with some of the recipients of the 2023 RCVS Honours & Awards, which were recorded at Royal College Day in July this year, will shortly be made available on the RCVS YouTube channel.