THREE talented members of the VetPartners family are among the brightest young stars of the veterinary world.
Vets Emily Collins-Wingate and Amy Leather and RVN Clare Jones have been recognised as the veterinary leaders of tomorrow in a new initiative launched by the London Vet Show.
With the aim of fostering talent in the industry and highlighting the achievements of young people who are innovating and inspiring, London Vet Show has named its first ever ‘30 Under 30’ cohort. The VS30 alumni will be given a chance to attend networking events and contribute to industry initiatives.
Emily (left), from Westpoint Farm Vets, is already a member of VetPartners’ production animal Clinical Board and the BVA Council and is looking forward to more opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and peers through the VS30 initiative.
Emily has worked for Westpoint since she graduated from the University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine in 2020.
She said: “I am very proud to have been included in the 30 Under 30 cohort. I’m looking forward to meeting the group and making some new connections. It’s particularly exciting as it’s a very diverse list and includes people from a range of disciplines and roles within the industry.
“I really value the opportunity VetPartners has given me to take on additional roles outside of my clinical veterinary work. I’m enjoying being part of the production animal Clinical Board and feel my views are always welcomed and valued.”
Emily initially worked at Westpoint’s Horsham branch before moving to its Winchester site.
She said: “When I was a student, I was really keen to work at Westpoint. I had contact with the team through my university rotations and everyone was very welcoming. I felt from the start that new graduates were championed and there was a support structure in place, which was really important to me.”
RVN Clare (right) was selected for the VS30 Class of 2022 after being nominated by a colleague for her research into veterinary CPR.
Clare’s main area of interest at Hale Veterinary Group in Wiltshire is emergency critical care and she provides animal CPR training to colleagues.
She is carrying out research into the retention of CPR skills and knowledge and hopes her findings could lead to more frequent training for veterinary teams.
Clare said “It was a bit of a shock to find out I was on the list, but I’m really proud to have been included.
“I love working in emergency care because it’s exciting and you never know what’s going to come in next. It also inspired me to look more closely at pet CPR training, because it isn’t always mandatory in veterinary practices and hospitals.
“The survival rate of veterinary patients is lower than humans. There are lots of contributing factors that affect this, but my study is looking at how with more frequent training we may be able to improve outcomes and certainly help veterinary staff feel as though they are better prepared.”
Clare originally joined the Hale team as a receptionist and was set to leave to take up a career in the police force when colleagues persuaded her to stay and train as a veterinary nurse.”
She added: “I feel like I made the right decision! I work with a lovely team at Hale and we are always busy and there’s lots of variety, which I enjoy.”
Vet Amy (left) was put forward for the cohort by the clinical director of Hampshire-based Kings Bounty Equine Practice, Liz Frew, for going above and beyond the call of duty for the practice.
Liz said: “Amy has been my rock over the summer, and I couldn’t have managed without her. She even offered to take on extra night and weekend duties and covered the office when we had one admin team member on holiday and another colleague was off sick.
“Amy is a brilliant team player and very supportive of her colleagues, as well as being a great vet who’s good with patients and owners. She has a lovely, calm and friendly manner and we get amazing client feedback about her.”
Amy, who qualified in 2019 and joined Kings Bounty last year, is also the practice’s sustainability and QI champion.
She said; “It was a complete surprise to be nominated for the VS30 cohort, and it still hasn’t sunk in. We are a small, close-knit team at Kings Bounty and everyone plays a role in ensuring the practice runs like clockwork so we provide the best service possible to our clients and patients. I love pitching in and helping out, and being able to make a difference is very rewarding.
“Being part of a small team means there are opportunities to get involved with initiatives outside of veterinary work, and I’m enjoying looking at ways we can improve our environmental impact and reduce our carbon footprint. I’m also passionate about promoting responsible use of antibiotics and dewormers, because it’s so important we do all we can to reduce resistance to these drugs.”
Emily, Clare and Amy will be officially inducted into the VS30 cohort at London Vet Show on Thursday 17 November.
For media enquiries, please contact Jo Browne, VetPartners PR and Communications manager, on 07908 739 605 or email jo.browne@vetpartners.co.uk