The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has shortlisted three veterinary professionals for the 2023 BVA Young Vet of the Year Award.
Early career vets Rebecca Hampson, Henry Lamb and Camilla Church are all competing for the Zoetis-sponsored award, which celebrates vets in the first stages of their professional career making a significant impact.
The winner of the BVA Young Vet of the Year Award for 2023 will be announced on November 16, 2023, at the association’s Gala Dinner which takes place during London Vet Show.
They will receive a prize package which includes £1,000, a year’s free BVA membership, a mentoring/engagement opportunity with sponsor Zoetis and career development opportunities.
The award’s judging panel includes:
- BVA president, Anna Judson;
- Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) president, Sue Paterson;
- National veterinary lead ruminant and equine at Zoetis UK, Ally Ward;
- Last year’s award winner Hannah Hunt.
Finalists are selected based on their work which includes supporting clients and colleagues; providing outstanding and consistent care for patients; inspiring others and giving back to their community; championing causes in the profession; and going above and beyond the normal call of duty.
On behalf of the judges, BVA president Anna Judson said: “BVA’s Young Vet of the Year showcases exceptional vets from across the UK making an invaluable contribution to the profession.
“This year we have been blown away by all the incredible nominations, but these three young vets really stood out for their contribution to their fields and their commitment to their unique causes and passions.
“Congratulations to all of the finalists, you are a credit to the veterinary profession and we know you have bright futures ahead of you.”
Finalists
Rebecca Hampson
Hampson was nominated for her work co-founding Veterinary Education Malawi.
The animal welfare charity provides free veterinary services to low-income communities, as well as practical tuition and educational support to the first and only vet school in Malawi – the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), and to para-vets who currently provide the majority of veterinary care in country.
Hampson graduated from the University of Bristol in 2015 and after two years in small animal practice completed an MSc in international animal welfare, ethics and law.
This enabled her to volunteer in Malawi – a trip that would inspire her to set up Veterinary Education Malawi.
Hampson, who now splits her time between West Sussex and Malawi, secured funding to develop a clinical skills lab at LUANAR.
She has also implemented an annual equine teaching week for third and fourth year vet students. She has treated more than 700 dogs and donkeys in Malawi since 2021.
On being shortlisted for the 2023 BVA Young Vet of the Year Award, Hampson said: “I am so excited to have been shortlisted, it has been an incredibly busy but rewarding few years so this is a really welcome surprise.
“I really hope it will help to raise awareness of our mission in Malawi and encourage other vets to consider using their degree and skills to volunteer abroad.”
Henry Lamb
Commercial poultry and gamebird veterinarian Henry Lamb was nominated for the award for his work tackling outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) and encouraging other young vets to take up roles in the poultry industry.
After graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2018, Lamb began working at Crowshall Veterinary Services, Norfolk.
This has seen him working through the recent bird flu outbreaks, holding multiple Official Veterinarian/OV panels, and preparing for export changes associated with Brexit.
Lamb is also a European College of Poultry Veterinary Science resident, mental health first aider and trustee of regional rural mental health charity You Are Not Alone (YANA), co-lead of his practice green group and deputy rotation lead for the new RVC poultry rotation, which takes its first students in 2024.
In his role as external lecturer for the RVC, Henry provides opportunities to engage with avian population medicine for new members of the profession.
“I feel incredibly honoured to have been nominated, let alone be shortlisted as a finalist, especially knowing the outstanding level of commitment and skill so many different members of the profession bring across clinical practice, research sectors, and beyond,” Lamb said.
“I hope to live up to the finalist title and deliver the best possible support to our agricultural communities, alongside my incredibly dedicated colleagues and peers.”
Camilla Church
Equine vet Camilla Church was nominated for her dedication to promoting the veterinary profession, equine welfare, and for her work setting up the ambulatory equine practice, Perth Equine Vets.
Church, who lives in Perthshire, is a graduate of Glasgow Vet School and worked mainly with horses in a mixed and small animal/equine practices before setting up her own practice in 2020.
Perth Equine Vets is now a team of three vets and three part-time admin staff.
Church organises frequent events, most recently a ‘get into vet school’ day for upcoming vet students.
She also regularly creates blogs and videos on the practice social media accounts which helps horse owners learn essential skills, as well as attending regular equine weight management clinics with her team.
On being shortlisted for the BVA Young Vet of the Year Award, Church said: “It was an absolute honour to be nominated, but I am completely astounded and humbled to make the final three.
“Congratulations to everyone, and I look forward to meeting the other two finalists at the BVA Gala Dinner.
“I hope to continue to champion the veterinary profession in any way I can – and to continue to grow a practice which has its staff, owners and horses at its centre.”
