Page 51 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2022

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Richard Kock retires after 11 years’ service

effects of our divorce from nature and inspired us to be independent, humble
the influence of intensive agriculture or and to open our eyes to the world around
climate change on wildlife health. us as systems thinkers – and now, this is
the only way forward’’ (Maria Garza)
His professional achievements are
reflected in a rich publication record ‘‘In one of our course discussions in the
in peer-reviewed journals and popular inaugural year of the MSc One Health,
media, awards, multiple committee I recall Richard urging us to keep
and chairing functions, invited expert pushing the One Health agenda and
engagement and regular keynote warned that we may not make many
speeches at public events. One of friends in the process. He wasn’t
the biggest legacies will be the influence accounting for the ‘‘Club of R’’ that has
During his time as Professor in Wildlife Richard had on colleagues, who had developed within One Health circles
Health and Emerging Diseases at the opportunity to be taught, mentored, through his influence of the students
the RVC, Richard Kock worked supported or even challenged by him. and colleagues at the RVC and beyond.
enthusiastically and tirelessly for the Mention One Health and RVC to anyone
advancement of One Health, and the Richard’s visionary and unconventional at an international conference, and you
understanding and control of diseases at thinking combined with this passion will get ‘You must know Richard Kock
the human-animal-environment interface. to make the world a better place has then’.’’ (Kevin Queenan)
inspired many and given them the
As a dedicated wildlife veterinary teacher, courage to explore and think outside the We are grateful to Richard for his
ecologist, researcher, conservationist, and box, as illustrated in the two quotes below continuous support and dedication and
One Health practitioner, he investigated from former MSc One Health students: look forward to further collaborations.
the multiple interlinkages and structural While he retired from the RVC, he will
drivers leading to disease in wildlife and ‘‘During the MSc One Health time, not retire from One Health and will surely
other populations. His critical thinking he was an incomparable source of continue to influence and shape our work
brought up several uncomfortable inspiration, and we remember his stories for the health of people, animals, plants
questions for society, such as the over the years with fun and admiration. and the environment.
He fostered our critical thinking skills and

Sarah Hellens (née Bailey) retires

after 35 years’ service

(QMHA) reminisces: ‘‘When I started shares her fond memories of their long
back in 1987, we only had six vet working relationship: ‘‘I have known Sarah
nurses at RVC hospitals – and now over for 26 years, since I was in intern.
130 nurses work just in the RVC’s small ‘‘Sarah’s team grew from six in 1987
animal hospital alone. In those days, to a team of 75 in 2014 and now she
nurses were on a rota between working manages our clinical support team
with small animals and working in equine, of 175 – an unbelievable amount of
whereas now we have dedicated nurses growth. Her ability to effortlessly oversee
in the two separate referral hospitals.’’ and guide that degree of change is
Over three decades – and several new phenomenal. She has managed to do it
animal hospital buildings later – Sarah is so elegantly and competently that most
finally retiring from her highly influential people have no idea of the amount of
role and she reflects on how things have change that has occurred in that time.
altered over that time: “One of the biggest ‘‘She really cares about the RVC,
Some of you may recall Rick Astley changes I have witnessed is the greater the QMHA and every single one of
topping the charts with ‘Never Gonna use of technology to help vet nurses and her colleagues, she has helped literally
Give You Up’; ‘Eastenders’ New Year’s support staff to deliver excellent animal countless people over the years! The
Day show having over 28 million viewers care. The vet nursing profession has growth, happiness and success of many,
and the average UK house price being completely transformed since I started many eras of nurses, clinical support
£40k. That was the year that the RVC out; and I shall be really interested to see staff, vets and the entire QMHA team has
welcomed someone rather special how it continues to evolve in the future. been immeasurably influenced by Sarah’s
as a new staff member. I’ve loved every minute of my career vision, expertise and positive leadership.’’
journey at the RVC.’’
Sarah Hellens, Nursing Manager at We wish Sarah well in her
Queen Mother Hospital for Animals Vicky Lipscomb - Clinical Director QMHA retirement years!
and Professor of Small Animal Surgery

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