Pioneering Women in Veterinary: International Women's Day 🌟 In Association with SPVS

Tune in on International Women’s Day, Wednesday March 8th at 8pm GMT, 3pm ET, 2pm CT

Chairing the session, Ami Sawran will be joined by panelists Angela Jones (Clinical Director, The George Equine Clinic), Kerrie Hedley (COO, XLVets) and Dr. Donita McCants (Founding Vet, Veterinary Concierge Services). Sharing their stories, the panel aims to use their personal experiences to give advice and guidance on best outcomes for individuals in the veterinary community, seeking support and employers wanting to do better.

Celebrating all women in veterinary with a full spectrum of stories, told by women from both the UK & US. The panel will discuss an array of topics including:

🏁 Starting up your own business

🧏‍♀️ Menopause

🐣 Maternity

💃 Supporting both chronological ends of the talent line

We hope this will be a fully engaged and interactive session and encourage attendees to tune in and help shine a light on women in veterinary by joining the conversations and taking the opportunity to gain some hugely valuable insights.

Make sure to also tune in on June 21st for episode 2, chaired by SPVS newly elected president Ryan Davis and led by Director of VetDynamic, Alan Robinson BVSc.

Panelists

Angela Jones: Graduating from the University of Bristol in 2009 after completing an internship in Pembrokeshire, Angela worked in a large equine clinic in The Home Counties for 6 years and was the clinical lead in their Berkshire based hospital. She moved to The Cotswolds in 2016, completing a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice in Equine Medicine in 2017 and advanced to the role of clinical director. She has recently joined the Equicall team, whilst also working on a flexible working initiative and developing a digital prescription platform. Veterinary interests aside, Angela loves exploring The Cotswolds with her family and their dog, George.

Kerrie Hedley: Following graduation from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011, Kerrie was always very interested in the 'business side' of the equine practices she worked at. Joining the XLVets team in January 2015 as Equine Business Manager in a maternity cover role, was a great opportunity to try non-clinical work. Now Chief Operating Officer, during the last few years of transitioning from clinical practice to a business role Kerrie has also undertaken the University of Liverpool Certificate in Veterinary Business Management and an MBA, with her MBA dissertation focussed around the barriers and enablers to female vets becoming business owners. Continuing that important research to increase the representation of all veterinary women in leadership roles across the profession is something Kerrie feels immensely passionate about.

Dr. Donita McCants: A 2015 Tuskegee graduate, Donita is also a passionate public speaker and experienced Veterinarian with a demonstrated history of supporting the veterinary industry. A 2014 Simmons Business Aptitude Award winner, Donita in return has also helped champion other vets (like her) wanting to provide hybrid, mobile pet care services to their patrons for a more accommodating, mobile service. Meeting the needs of many busy pet parents (worldwide) with her ‘Ask Dr. Donita’ initiative, Donita has seen her commitment to providing effortless, time saving services welcomed with wide open arms (and paws) by her loyal clients in West-Orlando, Florida.

Chairing the session will be SPVS Board member and Veterinary surgeon working in the field of farm animal health and production, Ami Sawran:

“I am excited to be chairing what promises to be an enlightening discussion with a dynamic panel. International women’s day is celebrated annually on March 8th to commemorate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is vital for the progression of our profession that we acknowledge potential barriers to career progression and longevity within the veterinary sphere, and gather insight on how we overcome them collectively.”

Newly elected Junior Vice President of SPVS, Silvia Janska said:

“At SPVS, we are committed to helping vets thrive in practice and helping veterinary practices set up for a sustainable future. We are therefore delighted to partner up with the brilliant team and technology at PetsApp, who deliver a holistic service for easing and speeding up the connection between vets and their clients. This partnership will offer SPVS members a free first month of PetsApp membership as well as 4 educational CPD webinars.”

About the Partnership

As well as collaborating on a variety of educational content, PetsApp are offering SPVS members signing up to PetsApp as new customers their first month FREE. Members who are existing PetsApp customers can grab a FREE iPad for their practice if they refer a friend that signs up to PetsApp. Details can be found on the SPVS/PetsApp partnership page: https://meeting.petsapp.com/spvs-partners