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RVC Professor of Equine Orthopaedics, Roger Smith is appointed President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA)
Roger Smith, Professor of Equine Orthopaedics at the Royal Veterinary College has been appointed as President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) for 2023/24. He has taken over the role from David Rendle following the recent BEVA Congress.
Roger was appointed as Professor in Equine Orthopaedics at the RVC in December 2003 following previous roles as Lecturer and then as Senior Lecturer in Equine Surgery. He holds the Diploma of Equine Orthopaedics from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and is an RCVS Specialist in Equine Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as Large Animal Imaging Associate of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging. Roger was awarded the RCVS Fellowship in 2016 for meritorious contribution to knowledge. He was elected to president of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in July 2017.
Following graduation from the University of Cambridge Veterinary and two years in practice, he undertook further clinical training as a Resident in Equine Studies at the Royal Veterinary College. He then undertook a three-year research PhD project studying the extracellular matrix of equine tendon.
Roger outlines some of his ambitions for his presidential year:
“Now with no requirement for veterinary students to ‘see practice’ in the equine veterinary sector, it is going to be increasingly difficult to showcase what a great job being an equine vet is. I want to work on introducing initiatives to advertise our profession to young students but also help to enrich their careers by providing opportunities to expand their horizons, such as getting involved in practice-focused R&D.
I have also been so impressed by the engagement and passion of our equine veterinary nurses during our discussions on the clarifications of Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act and also as Chair of the RVC’s Nursing degree review panel. Getting nurses more involved in the care of our patients, similar to the way in which nurses work in the medical profession, could provide part of the solution to the current shortage of qualified equine vets and I am keen to support the ongoing discussions in this respect.”
“I am honoured to become BEVA President,” said Roger. “While it is tough following on from some very effective Presidents in the past, not least the outgoing President, David Rendle, I am really looking forward to spending time promoting BEVA’s activities, thanks to support from my work colleagues and the Royal Veterinary College.”
