Page 3 - eclipse - Autumn 2018

Principal’s Welcome
Photo credit: Veterinary Record, Mark Thomas
are making on both our campuses. Camden, in particular, has seen major activity over the last year and the renovations are nearing completion.
I am sure that the pain of the disruption and noise will have been worth it as we take ownership of a new student common room, Advice Centre, social learning space, welcome reception and refreshed Haxby, not to mention laboratories, dissection area and extended dining facilities. Hawkshead isnextonthelist...
between clinical observation and one health, the presentation of a canine patient with muscular dystrophy led to one of our biggest research stories of the year. There are of course many more from our scientists, clinician scientists and educationalists – all pushing back the frontiers in their own areas of expertise.
These stories, together with the several accounts of student adventures and achievements, are all to be found in the pages that follow. Do, please, enjoy them.
Thank you for your interest in life here at the RVC. You can stay in touch through our website, Facebook page, Instagram posts and tweets (@RoyalVetCollege and @StuartReid_RVC) – or why not come and visit us?
Welcome to Eclipse!
It is always a pleasure to extend a welcome to a new edition of Eclipse as, even for those of us at the Royal Veterinary College, it provides a glimpse of the enormous range of exciting activities from across the organisation. It also heralds the start of a new academic year with all of the buzz that accompanies the return of our students.
In the last edition, I hinted at the major capital investments that we
Contents
(Listing just some of the articles in this jam packed edition of Eclipse)
General News 4
RVC acquires Acorn Vet Hospital 4
Preparing students for working in 5 veterinary teams
10 year anniversary of the Graduate Diploma in 6 Veterinary Nursing
RVC tests 6000 herds in Wales 9 Supporting the Present by the Past... 10
Campus News 12
Change at both campuses 12
Clinical News 14
Clinical Connections 14
World-first heart surgery combination 16 saves puppy
‘Alabama rot’ breakthrough 17
Seeking finance for these improvements saw us successful during the summer in securing a private placement with international investors – a process that was fascinating as it was daunting – and a pleasing reassurance that several blue chip organisations see us as
a safe, sustainable and reputable organisation. We agree!
On the clinical front, our hospitals continue to win accolades in the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme and emphasising the close link
Research News
18
Students’ Union 40
RVC Clothing & Gifts 42
Classnotes 44
A trip to Zimbabwe 44
US Department of Agriculture’s Food 45 Safety and Inspection Service
Three years since Graduation – Rory’s story 48 RVC alumni volunteer with StreetVet 51 Rob Pope – The real Forrest Gump! 52 “I wish I’d known that . . .” 54 From Royal Garden Party to royal couples... 56 The year of Leading Women 59
Reunions 62
In Memorium 64
Supporting the RVC 70
Dates for your diary 72 Alumni getting together across the globe . . . 73
Attenborough and the Giant Elephant 18 documentary
How frogs use their unique skeletal 21 anatomy to improve their jumping ability
RVC team in Duchenne muscular 22 dystrophy breakthrough
Wildebeest muscles almost three times 23 more efficient than a car engine
Movers & Shakers
Prof. Stuart Reid receives CBE
24
24
RVC Honorary Fellow Dr Peter 25 Rossdale receives equine welfare award
RVC Honours 26
Student News
RVC Boat Club
Events throughout the year
Hawkshead Hobble 2018
First ever Fulbright scholar at the RVC 36
29
29 30 34
3