Inaugural Collaboration Award given to scheme for improving worldwide access to veterinary medicines

The Queen’s Medal celebrates exceptional contributions to veterinary science, practice, or service that have significantly advanced the profession and animal welfare. Awarded to just one member each year, it is the pinnacle of professional recognition within UK veterinary medicine. 

This year’s recipient is Professor Lance Lanyon for his long and distinguished career in academia that began in 1967 as a Lecturer in Anatomy at Bristol Veterinary School and included teaching at Tufts University in Massachusetts in the United States, and then the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), where he became Principal in 1989.

His nominator is Tim Skerry FRCVS, Professor Emeritus at the School of Medicine at the University of Sheffield, who said: “Lance’s career has been so impactful because he has influenced many people within and outside the profession to aspire to high goals, providing a role model for many other researchers (vets, medics and other scientists). 

“His extraordinary ability to manage and solve complex problems led to major regeneration of the RVC, developing modern research-led teaching, and increasing student numbers to fill growing needs for UK veterinary graduates. In research, Lance’s discoveries are fundamental to all today’s researchers in bone biology/osteoporosis internationally. He changed views and altered understanding profoundly and to the benefit of humans and animals.”

The Veterinary Nursing Golden Jubilee Award was introduced in 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first veterinary nurse training course. It celebrates veterinary nurses who have made exceptional contributions to advancing veterinary nursing through clinical excellence, leadership, education, research, or professional advocacy.

This year’s recipient is Samantha Fontaine RVN, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Science and Education at the University of Glasgow’s School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, for her contribution to postgraduate veterinary nursing education and clinical practice. She created the MSc Programme in Advanced Veterinary Nursing Practice at Glasgow, which launched in 2017, and received RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing accreditation in 2020. 

Her nominator is Dr Mary Fraser FRCVS, Director of Education, Training and Assessment at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. She said: “Throughout her career, Sam has strived to further develop, highlight and advance the subject of veterinary nursing and the role of the veterinary nurse in practice. She has shown by her own example what is possible, and alongside this has always brought her colleagues with her. She is approachable, interested in hearing what others have to say, and focusses on finding solutions. 

“Whilst undertaking her own clinical and pedagogical research, she has been able to share that knowledge with the wider profession, supporting students and colleagues along the way.  She has been able to work with different medical health professions including veterinary surgeons and human medical nurses, to see areas of similarity rather than focusing on differences, supporting teams to work together to improve standards of care.”

The RCVS Compassion Award recognises veterinary professionals who demonstrate exceptional compassion towards their colleagues and the public. Established in 2021 as part of our strategic commitment to compassion, the award celebrates those who go above and beyond in supporting others within our professions. 

This year’s award goes to Dr Robert Campbell MRCVS, Clinical Skills Lecturer at the University of Liverpool’s School of Veterinary Science, for his work as ‘Schwartz Rounds Lead’ at the university. Schwartz Rounds are confidential group forums where staff and students can come together to talk about and reflect on the emotional aspects of their work with a view to improving wellbeing. 

Rob’s nomination statement said: “Rob saw a dire need for this compassionate endeavour in the veterinary community and was determined to ensure as many members of the school, and wider profession, could benefit from attending. Rob has been a staunch advocate for Schwartz Rounds ever since; first securing crucial funding for their future post-pilot as well as inviting consecutive RCVS presidents to speak as storytellers. His work has helped demonstrate to students that even the most senior figures in our profession could openly talk about emotions at work.”

Honorary Associateships recognise exceptional contributions by non-veterinary professionals who advance animal health and welfare. Recipients have included scientists, educators, charity workers, and industry professionals.

This year Honorary Associateships have been awarded to two individuals – firefighter Jim Green and animal behaviourist Dr Rowena Packer. 

Jim is the founder and Director of Operations at the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA), an organisation dedicated to bringing together veterinary professionals and emergency service personnel to improve animal health and welfare during emergencies and other traumatic events. 

Jim received two separate nominations. One of his nominators, Dr Adam Mugford FRCVS, said: “Jim Green’s work has had a transformative impact on the veterinary profession by professionalising the interface between veterinary teams and emergency services during animal rescue and disaster response. Through the founding and leadership of BARTA, he has created nationally recognised training frameworks that equip veterinarians with the practical, safety-focused skills required to operate effectively alongside firefighters and technical rescue teams.”

His other nominator, Dr Patrick Pollock FRCVS, added: “Through BARTA… Jim embedded vet-led decision-making into national guidance, standard operating procedures and equipment specifications for animal rescue. This has given clinicians clear legal/ethical frameworks, safer scenes to work in, and defined responsibilities within incident command—moving vets from ad-hoc helpers to recognised professional partners.”

Dr Rowena Packer is Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the RVC and was nominated for the impact of her research on veterinary clinical practice, as well as public and scientific understanding and debate on animal welfare issues. 

Her nominator is Dr Zoe Belshaw FRCVS who said: “Dr Rowena Packer's research and advocacy has driven significant advances in veterinary clinical practice, education, and the wellbeing of companion animals and veterinary staff. She leads groundbreaking, clinically relevant studies on brachycephalic disorders, canine epilepsy, the Pandemic Puppy phenomenon, designer crossbreeds and end-of-life decision making, lecturing on these topics at veterinary conferences globally. 

“Collaborating closely with veterinary clinicians, Rowena embeds animal welfare, behaviour and human-animal interactions within her applied, impactful research, which has informed clinical epilepsy guidelines and international extreme conformation legislation.”

The RCVS Impact Award recognises veterinary professionals who've made significant contributions to the profession, animal health and welfare, or public health. Established by RCVS Council in 2017, this award celebrates innovation and dedication across all career stages and specialisms.

Dr Sean Wensley FRCVS was nominated for the award in recognition of his role in developing the British Veterinary Association’s Animal Welfare Strategy during his tenure as BVA President (2015-16) and his role in replicating this success as Chair of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe’s Animal Welfare Working Group, which developed a Europe-wide animal welfare strategy in 2021. He was also recognised for his book ‘Through a vet’s eyes: How we can all choose a better life for animals’ that brought the veterinary perspective on animal welfare and advice on how to treat animals better to a public audience. 

His nominator, Professor Paul McGreevy FRCVS, said: “His career illustrates the critical path from science to impact: animal welfare research identifies animals' needs, but research only matters when it changes how people interact with animals. Sean bridges this gap through veterinary-led change that translates evidence into action.”

He added: “Sean's combination of strategic leadership, gentle diplomacy, and compelling communication makes him an ideal ambassador for showcasing how veterinary professionals create tangible improvements in animal welfare.”

The RCVS Inspiration Award was introduced in 2017. It recognises exceptional veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who go above and beyond normal expectations, inspiring others through their dedication, innovation, and leadership.

This year’s recipient, Helen Silver-MacMahon RVN, was recognised for her leadership and development roles, with a particular focus on helping veterinary practices improve their culture in areas such as psychological safety, civility, team development and quality improvement. 

Her nominator, Sara Jackson MRCVS, said: “Helen’s work is centred on human factors within the veterinary profession and has inspired action at individual, team and organisational levels. Through her courses on civility in veterinary teams, her contribution to the first handbook on the subject, and her forthcoming book, Helen has not only raised awareness but empowered people to create change themselves.

“I attended a course and experienced first-hand how she creates a psychologically safe environment where individuals can discuss their challenges openly and explore how to spread the message. Helen consistently helps people develop the intrinsic strength and confidence needed to carry this work forward.”

The RCVS International Award recognises veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses or laypeople who have worked internationally, from either within or outside the UK. Recipients should have made an outstanding contribution on issues that are in line with the RCVS mission, for example, around raising veterinary standards, veterinary education, improving animal health and welfare, developing leadership, promoting mental health and wellbeing.

This year’s recipient is Dr Sanjay Singh, a veterinary surgeon who leads the vaccination programme at Help in Suffering, an animal welfare charity based in Jaipur in India. Dr Singh is recognised for his work in improving animal health and welfare, as well as public health, in the city through rabies vaccination drives and sterilisation programmes for the street dog population. 

His nominator Jack Reece, Volunteer Veterinary Director for Help in Suffering, said: “Because of his evidence-based approach and enthusiasm for constant learning Dr Sanjay is the colleague to whom all refer for help and advice. Dr Sanjay is a delightful colleague to work with and a good supportive, understanding friend who has helped me enormously during recent personal health difficulties. I believe he is a very competent careful surgeon and the epitome of a professional, welfare-orientated, caring veterinary surgeon who is a great credit to our profession both within India and internationally.”

The RCVS Student Community Award recognises exceptional veterinary and veterinary nursing students who demonstrate outstanding commitment to supporting their peers and wider communities. Established in 2021, the award celebrates students who go beyond their studies to make meaningful contributions through leadership, outreach, or innovative initiatives that benefit others.

This year’s award was given to Lharanya Somasundaram, a final-year student at the RVC, for her involvement in Animal Aspirations, a student-led organisation that aims to engage young people from diverse backgrounds in veterinary careers through workshops, career talks and role models. Lharanya has been involved in Animal Aspirations since her first year as a veterinary student and served as President, where she was responsible for managing volunteers and overseeing the expansion of the organisation to other veterinary schools. 

Her nominator is fellow Animal Aspirations member and RVC vet student Shreevarshini Mandradiar. She said: “Lharanya’s leadership has resulted in clear, measurable and lasting impact across the veterinary student community. Under her presidency, Animal Aspirations achieved its highest ever levels of student engagement, and the record was broken again the following year, reflecting her ability to inspire participation, trust and sustained involvement. She expanded the team to its largest size in the organisation’s history and successfully supported the establishment and growth of multiple national teams, ensuring our reach extended far beyond a single institution.”

Awards recipients and their guests will be invited to attend Royal College Day 2026, which takes place at One Great George Street, Westminster, on Friday 3 July 2026. Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who wish to sign up to attend Royal College Day should go to the event’s dedicated Eventbrite page. 

The Royal College Day programme will contain further information about each of the successful award winners’ achievements. 

Nominations for the 2027 RCVS Awards will open this autumn. Further information about each of the awards is available.