Dr David Martin (Left) received the Compassion Award and Lavinia Economu (Right) was presented with the RCVS Student Community Award.

College celebrates individuals who have helped colleagues and the wider community.

The RCVS has commended four individuals from the veterinary sphere who have gone above and beyond to support those around them with two new awards created for this year's RCVS Honours and Awards.

The first newly created award is the Compassion Award, which recognises a veterinary surgeon or nurse at any stage of their career who has shown compassion towards their colleagues and the animal-owning public.

The inaugural recipients of the Compassion Award are Dr David Martin MRCVS of the Brownlow Veterinary Group in Shropshire and Olivia Wassell RVN from the Blue Cross Animal Hospital in Hammersmith, London.

Dr David Martin was described by his nominator as a consistent advocate for pet, client and team welfare within the non-accidental injury (NAI) field. Dedicating his own time to educate teams on the methods of identifying the signs of NAI.

Olivia Wassell received the award for her positive attitude and professionalism during the COVID-19 pandemic. She consistently offered to help during weekends, night shifts and 12-hour shifts at the hospital, and reached out in support of her colleagues.

The other new award is the RCVS Student Community Award. This is bestowed upon a veterinary or veterinary nursing student who has strived to support their fellow students and the wider community.

The first recipient of this award is Jack Church, a fourth-year veterinary student at Surrey Vet School, who spent much of last year volunteering at an adult ICU COVID-19 ward alongside his studies. He worked many 12-hour shifts helping the doctors and nurses put on PPE, rolling ventilated patients, disinfecting PPE and transporting supplies.

The award's second recipient is Lavinia Economu, a final-year student at the Royal Veterinary College, and the founder of student-led organisation Animal Aspirations, which works to inspire young people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and different socio-economic backgrounds to pursue a career in the veterinary profession.

Her nominator, BVA senior vice president Daniella Dos Santos, praised the importance of the group for the profession, as well as its strong social media presence and inspiring community workshops.

Images (c) Royal Veterinary College and IVC Evidensia.