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CLASSNOTES
Paul Crawford, AVSPNI president
Paul is a very familiar face at the RVC, having studied veterinary medicine here and
graduated in 1998, taken on various roles at the RVC post-graduation and now being an external examiner for the Vet Nursing courses.
Paul tells us about his career to date and his current position as the president of the Association of Veterinary Surgeons practicing in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI).
My early career
After graduating from the RVC, I went
on to Glasgow University for a year to study anaesthesia followed by a return
to the RVC on a rotating internship for a year. After my completion of a certificate in anaesthesia, I worked in a variety of roles at the RVC in both first opinion and referral for a few years and then went onto a variety of contract roles in anaesthesia, both in the UK and Canada. After a year in general first opinion, I decided to go self-employed in anaesthesia consultancy and, following my interest in veterinary politics when studying at the RVC, I pursued this further.
AVSPNI
AVSPNI has a membership of over 85% of practicing vets in Northern Ireland and has three main goals:
1. Education – CPD for vets
2. Representation and lobbying at Government and other industrial groups.
3. Mental health and welfare – including support and training
I have been on the AVSPNI council for a number of years and this January became President.
My six main goals during my year of presidency are:
photo: NI Veterinary Today
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