Published: 24 Mar 2026 | Last Updated: 24 Mar 2026 14:19:11

The Royal Veterinary College’s (RVC) Harriet Syme, Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine, has been awarded the Dr Sheri J.Ross Award by the American College of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology (ACVNU) for her outstanding contribution to teaching and mentorship.

The award was presented at the ACVNU Lower Urinary Tract Symposium in Raleigh, North Carolina. In honour of Dr Ross, the award recognises individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to education in veterinary nephrology and urology, compassion for patients and generosity to the wider profession. Professor Syme was recognised for her leadership in veterinary education and her contributions to advancing clinical understanding of nephrology and urology.

Professor Syme has dedicated more than two decades to training future leaders in veterinary medicine. As Director of the RVC’s Internal Medicine residency (SCTS) programme, she has supported the development of more than 50 medicine Diplomates. Many of these students have gone on to complete PhDs in clinically relevant research, including work on feline chronic kidney disease in collaboration with the Geriatric Cat Clinic at the RVC’s Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital in Camden.

Alongside her role in postgraduate training, Professor Syme is a Senior Clinical Tutor for BVetMed students, interns and residents. She also supervises PhD students working in endocrinology, renal disease and hypertension. She has also played a key role in establishing a new residency programme in Nephrology and Urology, with its first graduate expected to complete the programme shortly.

This award recognises both Professor Syme’s dedication to mentorship and the RVC’s wider commitment to research and training which drive improvements in animal and human health worldwide.

Harriet Syme, Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine at the RVC, said:

“I was honoured and extremely surprised to receive this award. It is particularly special to me since I consider myself a compatriot of Dr Ross’, even though we resided on different continents and only met face-to-face at international congresses. We both completed our PhDs at the same time and studied similar diseases, and I have always had great admiration for her work. She was a very special individual who was taken from us far too soon.”

Notes to Editors

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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. 
• It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with associated recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and AVMA in the USA and Canada. 
• The RVC is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2025. 
• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences. 
• The RVC is a research-led institution, with 88% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. 
• 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.