During its annual Principal’s Dinner at Saddlers Hall on 27 April, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) presented Emeritus Professor Peter Bedford with an Honorary Fellowship for his contribution to the veterinary profession.
The evening reflected on the highlights and progress made by the institution throughout the pandemic despite sector challenges – including workforce shortages and the impending crisis in funding for veterinary education – Professor Stuart Reid, president and principal of the RVC praised the ongoing efforts of students, staff and clinicians.
As part of this, Professor David Church, deputy principal and acting vice principal (clinical affairs) at the RVC, congratulated Peter Bedford on his illustrious career and many accolades, celebrating his achievements by awarding him with an Honorary Fellowship of the RVC.
Professor Peter Bedford graduated from the RVC in 1967 and gained a PhD for studies on canine glaucoma (1974) and was awarded the RCVS Fellowship for work on aqueous dynamics in the dog in 1976. During his career, he has spent time as a surgeon and a lecturer at the RVC, as well as pursuing a range of ophthalmologically-focused research programmes and establishing hereditary eye clinics within the veterinary and breeding communities.
Professor Peter Bedford is a Diplomat of both the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ECVO); became the first GDBA chair of canine medicine and surgery at the RVC; has authored more than 230 publications; received the British Small Animal Veterinary Association’s Simon (1977), Bourgelat (1986) and Blaine (1995) Awards for work in veterinary ophthalmology and in 2009, was presented the ISVO’s Magrane Memorial Lecture. In 2014, he received the Kennel Club’s International Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the control of hereditary ocular disease.
Professor Peter Bedford, honorary fellow of the RVC, said: “I am grateful that the RVC gave me the chance to teach and research veterinary ophthalmology. Fortunately, I was in the right place in the very early days in the development of the discipline and the support and encouragement I received from the RVC has meant so much to me in my career. I am truly honoured to have my work recognised by my alma mater in this award of its honorary fellowship”
Professor David Church, deputy principal and acting vice principal (clinical affairs) at the RVC, said: “Peter Bedford is a wonderful example of someone who has immersed himself in being an excellent clinician and an outstanding educator. His commitment to the discipline of veterinary ophthalmology remains as strong today as it was when he was appointed as the RVC’s fist lecturer in Ophthalmology over 40 years ago.”
