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A first: Vet nurse appointed Chair of BSAVA Regional Committee and Council Representative

Regional volunteers play a central role in helping to deliver the science, education, support and advice for veterinary professionals around the UK

The BSAVA is delighted to announce that, for the first time, a veterinary nurse volunteer has been appointed as a Committee Chair and Council Representative. Emma Gerrard will take over from Kate O’Sullivan, the present chair of Cymru/Wales region committee, in April 2021.

The BSAVA is run by its members, for its members and regional volunteers play a central role in helping to deliver the science, education, support and advice for veterinary professionals around the UK. The 12 BSAVA Regional Committees comprise members from a diverse range of backgrounds who organise educational courses, networking events and socials to unite local fellow professionals.

Emma Gerrard has been a member of the Committee since 2013 and worked hard alongside Kate and other committee members to launch and successfully host the new event Vets Cymru in 2019. Emma has also served on the BSAVA Membership Development Committee and has recently become the new Editor of the Pocketbook for Vet Nurses.

Emma is a companion and farm animal registered animal medicines advisor, a clinical coach and a tutor for Oncore. She works at Hafren Veterinary Group – an independent mixed practice in Powys. As Council Representative Emma will interact with Trustees and members of the Management Team at Woodrow House and will actively seek members’ views within Cymru/Wales region and ensure these are reflected in discussions at Council meetings. Emma is looking forward to offering fresh insights and identifying new opportunities from the nursing perspective.

She said: “Being appointed the first VN Council Representative and Regional Chair is a massive achievement for myself and my nursing colleagues. It hasn’t been possible for a VN to fill a Regional Officer role until now. I know how long and hard colleagues have worked in order to make this happen and, for that, I am grateful. As the Committee Chair, I would really like to fly the flag for nurses I hope to inspire and empower nurses to join the Association and illustrate what opportunities are available.”

Professor Ian Ramsey, President of the BSAVA said: “I am so pleased that BSAVA Cymru region has elected a nurse as their Regional Chair and Council Representative. Now that nurses are full voting members of BSAVA they are able to occupy all of the roles within the Association normally held by volunteer voting members. Nurses have already served the Association with distinction in many of our Committees for several years and this is another step towards recognising the importance of nurses within the veterinary team and therefore within the Association. I look forward to seeing more nurses coming forward to help shape the Association in the future.”

To find out how you can become a volunteer with your Regional group visit the website.

For information on how to become a BSAVA member visit the website.

Veterinary Practice

Improve Veterinary Practice (part of the Improve International Group) is an online knowledge and information hub for veterinary professionals across all specialties. It provides reliable, useful and interesting content, written by expert authors and covering small animal, large animal, exotics, equine and practice management
sectors of the veterinary surgeon and nursing professions.

Improve Veterinary Practice also offers a subscription-based membership, offering CPD courses and much more for the whole veterinary community.

Improve Veterinary Practice exists to inspire and inform your day-to-day work, and enable your ongoing professional development.


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