Published: 14 Mar 2022 | Last Updated: 14 Mar 2022 12:25:48

Belinda Andrews-Jones, a Royal Veterinary College (RVC) alumna, has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to veterinary nursing with the 2022 Dr Earl Rippie International Veterinary Nurse Leadership Scholarship.

The only international recipient, Belinda was honoured with this prestigious award for her impressive leadership and impact on growth of the profession and practice. In receiving this award, Belinda was invited to attend the Veterinary Meeting and Expo in Florida in January where she attended lectures and hands-on workshops including a day workshop on abdominal ultrasound.

The late Dr Earl H. Rippie Jnr., a former president of the North American Veterinary Community, recognised the value veterinary nurses bring to the healthcare team and the significant role they play in promoting the wellbeing of animals. This award reflects his steadfast belief that veterinary nurses are the spoke in the wheel of the practice and the heart of any veterinary hospital and should be celebrated as equals in the veterinary profession.

Belinda Andrews-Jones, Veterinary Nurse and RVC alum, said:

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have been selected to receive this prestigious award. I am so honoured to have my work recognised in this way by the Dr Earl Rippie award panel. It means so much to me that the work I am so passionate about also resonates with others.”

Professor Stuart Reid, Principal of the RVC, said:

“I am delighted that Belinda has been recognised with this prestigious award. A member of the RVC’s talented alumni network, Belinda has led an impressive veterinary nursing career, championing and helping grow the profession. This international recognition is a testament to her ongoing work and commitment to ensuring veterinary nurses have equal voices and are rightfully acknowledged for the vital role they play in upholding the highest standards of animal care in veterinary practice.”

While at the RVC, Belinda graduated as a Veterinary nurse in 1996 then in 2017 completed a Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Veterinary Education. Belinda now works as a Senior Manager at the NHS Dorset Healthcare University Trust, where throughout the pandemic she also used her veterinary knowledge and skills to set up and run a local Covid-19 vaccination service.

For more information please contact:

• Jasmin De Vivo jasmin.devivo@plmr.co.uk or rvc@plmr.co.uk
• Press Line: 0800 368 9520

About the RVC

• The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London.
• A research led institution with 79% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2014.
• It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with reciprocal recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and the AVMA in the USA and Canada.
• The RVC is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in line with the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2021.
• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences.  
• In 2017, the RVC received a Gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) – the highest rating a university can receive.
• The RVC provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire.