Today (30 September 2024) the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has opened the nomination period for its 2025 Honours & Awards, to recognise veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and laypeople, both in the UK and overseas, who are doing their utmost for animal health and welfare, the professions and society at large.
Once again, this year, some of the awards are also 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 are still required.
Speaking on why members of the professions should consider nominating their colleagues for an award, RCVS President Linda Belton MRCVS, said: “Our Honours and Awards are an important part of the RCVS calendar year. As veterinary professionals, we work hard and are dedicated to our vital roles in upholding animal health and welfare, but we rarely step back to reflect on all that we have achieved.
“Working in the veterinary professions can be hugely challenging, but also massively rewarding. Recognising the outstanding contributions that our friends and colleagues have made, and continue to make, as we all strive to advance and protect animal health and welfare, as well as public health, is so important. The power of recognition cannot be underestimated.
“Last year we were lucky enough to receive more nominations than ever before for our Honours and Awards. The calibre of candidates was extremely impressive, and we hope that we can celebrate and recognise many more individuals and teams for their efforts this year.”
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, i.e. 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 at any stage of their career 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 who have demonstrated the ability to inspire and enthuse others consistently throughout their careers. 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. Please note that those who appear on any RCVS Register, whether that be temporary, practising, or non-practising, cannot be nominated for this award.
• 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.
The deadline for the 2025 awards is Friday, 13 December 2024. All valid nominations will be considered, and the RCVS Nominations Committee will produce a shortlist which will then be put to RCVS Council for approval at its March 2025 meeting. The shortlist for the VN Golden Jubilee Award will be considered separately by VN Council.
To read the guidance on making a nomination and to download 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 2024 RCVS Honours & Awards, which were recorded at Royal College Day in July this year, will shortly be made available on the RCVS YouTube channel, where recordings of the interviews from 2023 are also available to view.
*For those who are self-nominating, please be sure to complete the relevant nomination form in the third person using your own name and preferred pronouns in place of 'I' to avoid bias.