Page 50 - eclipse - Autumn 2018

CLASSNOTES
A final chapter in a lifetime of learning:
Deborah achieves her Postgraduate Diploma in Livestock Health and Production (distance learning).
“It’s enabled me to have more meaningful relationships with farmers and understand more of their world, because it’s not just about veterinary science, is it?” she reflects.
“It’s about how the animals are kept, their nutrition and gaining knowledge.
I have shared tutor-marked assignments with other colleagues, which I think they’ve enjoyed and appreciated.”
The final graduation
Even after completing the certificate,
a break from the books made Deborah realise that she wasn’t quite ready to stop.
“I was getting itchy feet!” she says.
“I did the certificate and was very happy with that. I had a rest and thought – should I be taking any more CPD, trying to fit this in?
“I strove forward to do the Diploma, supported by the agency. And that’s been really brilliant, because it’s relevant to what I do.”
So, is this the final step in a remarkable journey? Deborah thinks so. “I’m delighted I have completed the Diploma, but I won’t be doing any more studying,” she says.
“It’s a lovely opportunity to reflect that actually it took me five years in total,” she says. “It can be quite a personal struggle, so it’s great to have made it once again. “For me, it’s just about where I am today. I’m an independent woman, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.”
Are you interested to know more about the RVC & University of London’s Postgraduate Diploma in Livestock Health and Production (distance learning)? Don’t forget we offer RVC alumni a 20% discount! Please contact us at development@rvc.ac.uk and we can tell you more.
By Keith McDonald
Deborah Alexander’s long and fascinating career has taken her through many vocations in veterinary science, including mixed and small animal practice, imaging and radiology. Accompanying this every step of the way has been an incredible appetite for learning, which she crowned this year with a Postgraduate Diploma
in Livestock Health and Production (distance learning).
During her early career, she held
a research position at the University of Cambridge while studying for
a diploma in radiology. Years later, while Head Vet at Wood Green Animal Shelter, she enrolled with the RCVS for a certificate in small animal surgery. Upon joining the Animal and Plant Health Agency, an arm of the government department DEFRA, her goal to become a veterinary officer
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drove her towards our Livestock Health and Production programme by distance learning.
She began with the Postgraduate Certificate before progressing to the Diploma.
“I’ve always tried to do the best I can
in whatever role I’ve had,” she says. “I’ve always gone from one topic or discipline to another, so I’ve just tried to make sure that I’m doing the best I can within that area.”
Supporting farmers
By the turn of the century, Deborah had left practice and was working
in the development of medicine
for Novartis Animal Health. The company released her to help with the devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in 2001.
“The British Veterinary Association were looking for any volunteers. I did
a couple of weeks and my fees were donated back to the farmer who lost all his animals,” she says. “It was a very upsetting moment but good to have been of help.”
Unable to relocate with Novartis
some years later, Deborah’s thoughts returned to veterinary practice – and further study. “I thought to myself
– it’s been a long time since you’ve done large animal practice. You need something that’s pertinent to that role.” The Postgraduate Certificate in Livestock Health and Production by distance learning proved ideal.