Published: 05 Jul 2024 | Last Updated: 05 Jul 2024 15:14:52

Professor Stuart Reid CBE, President & Principal of the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has been awarded The Queen’s Medal by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for his services and achievements within the veterinary sector. Professor Reid was awarded this accolade as part of the 2024 RCVS Annual General Meeting and Awards Day on 5 July. 

Taking place at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London, the event celebrated all recipients of the 2024 RCVS Honours and Awards. Categories included the Queen’s Medal, Veterinary Nursing Golden Jubilee Award, The RCVS Honorary Associateship, the Compassion Award, the Impact Award, the Inspiration Award, and the International Award.

The Queen’s Medal, which was approved by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2013, is the highest honour that the RCVS can bestow upon an individual veterinary surgeon. It is awarded in recognition of someone who has achieved a highly distinguished career with sustained and outstanding achievements throughout.

Professor Reid is a Past-President and Council member of the RCVS. He has led the RVC since 2011 which, for the past four consecutive years of his tenure, has topped the QS World University Subject Rankings by subject for veterinary science. He is recognised by the RCVS as a specialist in veterinary epidemiology and in veterinary public health by the European Board of Veterinary Specialists. He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in the USA in 2019 and holds Fellowships at the Royal Society of Biology; the Royal Society of Edinburgh; the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases in the USA; and the RCVS.

During his time as RCVS President, Professor Reid implemented the adoption of a new Royal Charter recognising veterinary nurses as a fully regulated profession for the first time; launched a consultation on the proposed use of ‘Dr’ as a courtesy title for veterinary surgeons which was then approved by RCVS Council; and ran the London Marathon to raise money for animal welfare and mental health charities.

In acknowledgement of his Queens Medal, Professor Stuart Reid CBE, President & Principal of the RVC, said:

“I am surprised and honoured at the award of the Queen’s Medal – and I recognise that, in greater part, it has been the roles I have been fortunate to occupy and the people with whom I have been privileged to work that have led to this; truly, there is no greater compliment than recognition by one’s peers.  Having been present 10 years ago at Buckingham Palace when the first Medal was awarded to Des Thompson by the late Queen, it is particularly special to be the most recent recipient.”

Professor Reid’s nominator for the Queen’s Medal was Robin Hargreaves, former British Veterinary Association President. Hargreaves championed Professor Reid’s influence on the learning environment and educational outcomes of hundreds of veterinary professionals as well as veterinary education globally; his illustrious work in informatics and epidemiology and its influence at the intersection of animal and human health, teaching and research; and his efforts to address mental health issues within the profession to develop better strategies and break down barriers to accessing support.

Robin Hargreaves, former British Veterinary Association President and nominator of Professor Reid, said:  

“Professor Reid has directly influenced the learning environment and educational outcomes of many hundreds of veterinary professionals through his teaching, administration, and leadership at the institutions he has led.

“Few individuals can have had so much influence at the intersection of animal and human health, teaching, research, administration and third sector voluntary work. I can only speak for the influence he has had on me and it is profound and inspiring.” 

All nominations for RCVS Honours and Awards were approved by the Nominations Committee, comprising members of the RCVS Officer Team including the President, Vice-Presidents and Treasurer and Chair of VN Council. The nominations were ratified by RCVS Council at its March 2024 meeting.

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 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 the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2024. 
• 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.