Davies Physiotherapist Highly Commended For Role In Organising IAVRPT UK Symposium
2 years ago 
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Chartered Physiotherapist Diane Messum, Head of Therapy Services at Davies Veterinary Specialists (Davies) in Hertfordshire, has been thanked and commended for her instrumental role in the UK’s inaugural hosting of the 11th Symposium of the International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy (IAVRPT).
Diane co-hosted the IAVRPT meeting in a voluntary capacity, on behalf of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT), with Cambridge University in August 2022. IAVRPT is a biennial symposium alternating between the US and other parts of the world. Previous host cities have included Knoxville, Tennessee in 2018, Uppsala, Sweden in 2016, Oregon State 2014 and Vienna, Austria 2012.
Dr Louise Clark, Anaesthesia Specialist and Clinical Lead, Pain Management Team at Davies said: “Diane Messum has made a major contribution to the advancement of her subject by leading on the organisation of the hugely successful 11th IAVRPT meeting at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge earlier this month.
“She was instrumental in ensuring the delivery of a seamless conference, for which the feedback has already been exceptional. She put countless hours into ensuring that it was successful and that our colleagues who travelled from across the globe had a fabulous and truly ‘Cambridge’ experience.”
“This is the first time IAVRPT has been hosted in the UK,” said Diane. “My bid on behalf of the ACPAT and the University of Cambridge to host the event in 2020 was successful back in 2018. I wanted to bring the symposium back to Europe, to give the UK the chance to witness how sensational this international symposium really is and to invite some of the outstanding speakers we have in the UK and from around the world to present on this worldwide stage. But as we were entering the final stages of planning it was postponed until 2021 and then 2022 due to COVID.”
Four years and two conferences in the planning later, IAVRPT in the UK welcomed more than 500 registrations from 40 countries around the world, the highest number of delegates ever.
The comprehensive three-day programme incorporated two parallel streams, with a diversity of small animal and equine content covered by leading practitioners and world-renowned specialists. Friday was rounded off with a gala dinner at the stunning Gonville and Caius College Old Courts in the centre of Cambridge.
The Symposium was preceded by practical workshops at the University of Cambridge Department of Veterinary Medicine. Organised by Diane, with support from her team and Physiotherapist Lauren Bate from Northwest Veterinary Specialists, Diane’s workshop covered splinting and orthotics and was extremely well-received.
Veterinary group Linnaeus, which Davies and Northwest Veterinary Specialists are part of, fielded two speakers during the event. Dr Clark delivered the plenary session on the final day, debating the question ‘How does acute pain become chronic and why does it matter’. Professor Clare Rusbridge, Senior Neurologist at Linnaeus hospital Wear Referrals, presented on the science and management of neuropathic pain.
Professor Séverine Tasker, Chief Medical Officer at Linnaeus, said: “Much of the success of this year's IAVRPT was due to Diane Messum’s commitment and hard work. Together with Lauren, Louise and Clare, their contributions to the event will support the continued delivery of clinical excellence in the vital discipline of rehabilitation medicine. I am so proud of the work they have done to highlight this important area of veterinary science."
Diane said: “An immeasurable amount of work has gone into this symposium from the IAVRPT board, the professional conference organisers Opening Doors and Venues, ACPAT, the outstanding speakers, our sponsors and more. I couldn't be prouder of what we have achieved. I have never felt part of one big vet rehab family more than I have this week and I have everyone who has joined us, either in person or virtually, to thank for that.”
The next symposium will be held in Cape Town, South Africa with dates to be confirmed.
For further feedback on the success of the 11th IAVRPT visit https://www.facebook.com/symposiumIAVRPT/.
To find out more about Davies visit its website. For further information about Linnaeus, please visit www.linnaeusgroup.co.uk.
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