CVS relaunches Aspiring General Practitioner Prize in all UK universities
This spring, CVS is relaunching its Aspiring General Practitioner Prize across all nine veterinary schools within the UK.
The prize aims to champion the GP vet career path, by recognising veterinary students who show the most skill and promise in their first opinion practice clinical rotation. This can be in companion animal, equine or farm practice.
Student winners are selected by their veterinary school. Each university judges its candidates based on their performance during their General Practice assessments, using their own unique award criteria.
Every winning student is presented with their prize at their Veterinary School’s RCVS admissions ceremony. The winners receive a monetary gift of between £250 to £500 from CVS to celebrate their achievements.
Founded in 2022, CVS’ Aspiring General Practitioner Prize has been awarded to over 15 students so far.
CVS’ New Graduate Programme was the first in the UK, with a two-year structured clinical training programme supporting transition into general practice in small animal, equine and farm disciplines. The longstanding programme has supported over 1,400 graduates since 2012, developing them into high-flying veterinary professionals. Designed by experienced vets, it offers a strong clinical foundation and a supportive experience, with an experienced clinical mentor working alongside graduates in practice.
CVS partners with all UK universities to help train the next generation of vets. It provides lectures, host extramural studies and intramural rotations, and collaborates in postgraduate training of residents - including research projects.
Sarah Rutherford, Head of Clinical Education at CVS said: “With over 80% of the UK veterinary profession working in general practice, at CVS we are very keen to champion and support the general practice team, due to their pivotal role providing excellent animal care. This prize is to reward those students showing the most promise as an excellent General Practitioners.”
Nicole Bell, Senior Philanthropy Officer at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies said: “This award enables us to recognise our outstanding students. Student prizes make a huge contribution to the celebrations of our graduating students as they conclude their time studying with us. We thank CVS very much for its support.”
Kenna Doeden, a graduate on the five-year Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at the University of Edinburgh, and winner of CVS Aspiring General Practitioner Prize 2024 said: “Thank you to the Dick Vet and CVS for this award! This award is a great encouragement to me while embarking on my journey as a budding mixed practice veterinarian. I am looking forward to developing into a balanced and confident GP using the skills I've been equipped with."
The group operates across small animal, farm animal, equine, laboratories and crematoria, with over 500 veterinary practices and referral centres in the UK and Australia. In the last five years the company has invested nearly £80 million in its sites, facilities and equipment, in addition to industry leading training and support, to give the best possible care to animals.
For more information about careers with CVS Group visit the CVS Group Careers site.