Suffolk vet Rose Thompson-Turcotte has just been announced as a finalist for British Veterinary Association’s Young Vet of the Year 2024. Here, Rose explains what it means to her
A Suffolk vet is in the running to be named the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) Young Vet of the Year for 2024. Rose Thompson-Turcotte from Bury St Edmunds, alongside David Charles and Clio Rudgard-Redsell, is through to the final stages of this year’s prestigious award, which celebrates inspirational vets in the first stages of their professional career.
The award judging panel – BVA President Liz Mullineaux, Linda Belton, RCVS President and director of the George Veterinary Group, Colin Penny, Medical Affairs Manager for Ruminant POM V at Zoetis, and last year’s Young Vet of the Year Dr. Henry Lamb – shortlisted the finalists for the award based on their outstanding career achievements so far. This includes their hard work supporting their clients and colleagues; providing outstanding and consistent high levels of care for their patients; giving back to their community; championing causes in the veterinary profession; or going the extra mile.
Small animal vet Dr Rose Thompson-Turcotte has worked at the Bury St Edmunds Veterinary Centre (BSEVC) since graduating from the University of Surrey in 2023. She has been nominated for her excellent clinical skills and dedication to her profession, patients and their owners. As well as spending her spare time volunteering for her local RSPCA centre, she always goes the extra mile to look after not just her patients – but also their owners, in particular over 75s; making sure that they have the support they need when making tough decisions in the hospital setting or with chronic health concerns in their pets.
She says: ‘I am so honoured to have been short-listed for this award but am even more delighted to have the backing of my wonderful colleagues. I am so lucky to work at a practice that encourages community engagement and compassionate, evidence-based medicine. My main interest is inpatient care – I love medical puzzles and developing strong bonds with clients and patients. There isn’t much special about the way I practise vet medicine, but I genuinely feel unbridled joy to be able to call myself a veterinary surgeon, and I am lucky to have been raised by kind, enthusiastic and knowledgeable vets at the RSPCA and BSEVC.
On behalf of the judges, BVA President Liz Mullineaux says: ‘This year has brought us our highest number of BVA Young Vet of the Year nominations yet, with each singing the praises of incredible young vets from around the UK. David, Rose and Clio stood out: they all have their unique passions and causes but their dedication, commitment and compassion shines through. Congratulations on being named finalists in this year’s award, it really is an amazing achievement, and you should be so proud of yourselves already. We look forward to following your future careers.’
The winner of BVA Young Vet of the Year will be announced on 14 November at the BVA’s Awards dinner, which takes place during London Vet Show. They will receive a prize package which includes £1000, a year’s free BVA membership, a mentoring/engagement opportunity with sponsor Zoetis and career development opportunities.
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