RVN Jo Oakden joins Vetlife’s Board of Trustees

Jo Oakden RVN has been co-opted to fill a vacant seat on Vetlife’s its Board of Trustees.

Jo joins 11 other Vetlife trustees, including fellow RVN, Robyn Lowe, who was recently elected as the first vet nurse to join the Board following changes the charity had made to its Articles of Association.

Previously, only veterinary surgeons could be elected to govern the charity’s activities. However, a review by the Vetlife Board of Trustees of its Articles and Memorandum of Association identified a need for the charity to better reflect current multidisciplinary team approaches to veterinary services.

After graduating as a Registered Veterinary Nurse from the RVC in 2008, Jo has worked in a variety of roles including Head Nurse, Practice Manager, Clinical Coach and Clinical Lead. Jo was also BVNA President and Chair of VNFutures in 2021. In her time with BVNA Jo created and chaired the VN Diversity Inclusivity and Widening Participation Working Group (DIWP) 2022, was part of the RCVS Legislation working party, the BVA’s Good Workplaces working group and the Vet Sustains greener veterinary practice working group. She is currently a Business Support Manager at Vet Partners.

Reflecting on becoming a trustee, Jo said: “I feel incredibly honoured to have been co-opted onto the Vetlife Board. The change to Vetlife’s articles was a monumental step for veterinary nurses, with the recognition as an integral part of the veterinary team. I am incredibly proud to be able to share my skills and experience with the Board.”

Welcoming the addition of Jo to the Board, Vetlife President Graham Dick commented: “The long tunnel of the pandemic may be behind us, but for many the light ahead is still distant and the dedicated work of all those involved with Vetlife, including its trustees, is needed more than ever. I have no doubt that Jo’s breadth of experience across the veterinary nursing field will bring a further valued addition to the Board.”