Published: 05 May 2022 | Last Updated: 09 May 2022 14:52:27

During its annual Principal’s Dinner at Saddlers Hall on 27 April, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) presented Emeritus Professor Peter Bedford with an Honorary Fellowship for his contribution to the veterinary profession.

The evening reflected on the highlights and progress made by the institution throughout the pandemic despite sector challenges - including workforce shortages and the impending crisis in funding for veterinary education - Professor Stuart Reid, President and Principal of the RVC praised the ongoing efforts of students, staff and clinicians. As part of this, Professor David Church, Deputy Principal and Acting Vice Principal (Clinical Affairs) at the RVC, congratulated Professor Bedford on his illustrious career and many accolades, celebrating his achievements by awarding him with an Honorary Fellowship of the RVC.

Professor Bedford graduated from the RVC in 1967 and gained a PhD for studies on canine glaucoma (1974) and was awarded the RCVS Fellowship for work on aqueous dynamics in the dog in 1976. During his career, he has spent time as a surgeon and a lecturer at the RVC, as well as pursuing a range of ophthalmologically-focused research programmes and establishing hereditary eye clinics within the veterinary and breeding communities.

Professor Bedford is a Diplomat of both the RCVS and the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ECVO); became the first GDBA Chair of Canine Medicine and Surgery at the RVC; has authored more than 230 publications; received the BSAVA’s Simon (1977), Bourgelat (1986) and Blaine (1995) Awards for work in veterinary ophthalmology and in 2009, was presented the ISVO’s Magrane Memorial Lecture. In 2014, he received the Kennel Club’s International Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the control of hereditary ocular disease.

Professor Bedford, Honorary Fellow of the RVC, said:

“I am grateful that the RVC gave me the chance to teach and research veterinary ophthalmology. Fortunately, I was in the right place in the very early days in the development of the discipline and the support and encouragement I received from the RVC has meant so much to me in my career. I am truly honoured to have my work recognised by my alma mater in this award of its Honorary Fellowship”

Professor David Church, Deputy Principal and Acting Vice Principal (Clinical Affairs) at the RVC, said:

“Peter is a wonderful example of someone who has immersed himself in being an excellent clinician and an outstanding educator. His commitment to the discipline of veterinary ophthalmology remains as strong today as it was when he was appointed as the RVC’s fist lecturer in Ophthalmology over 40 years ago.” 

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 holds 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, 2022.
• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences.  
• A research led institution with 79% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2014.
• 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.