First Awardee Of VMG Level 5 Diploma In Veterinary Leadership And Management Announced
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Head Nurse Gemma Fisher First to Successfully Complete Two-Year Diploma
Gemma Fisher RVN, Head Nurse at The Animal Clinic in Blackheath, London, has been awarded the first Level 5 Diploma in Veterinary Leadership and Management (DVLM) from the Veterinary Management Group (VMG). In achieving the Diploma, she demonstrated an impressive range of knowledge and skills from modules including Mental Health in the Veterinary Workplace, Practice Finance, Coaching & Mentoring, and Workplace Culture, according to the VMG.
The latest cohort of awardees for the Certificate in Veterinary Leadership and Management (CVLM) also includes:
- Emma Boyd, Animal Husbandry EMS Director and Exotic Animal Teaching Facility Manager at Edinburgh Vet School, who achieved the CVLM with Distinction
- Catriona Young, Practice Manager at Vets4Pets in Carlisle, who also achieved the CVLM with Distinction and has been promoted from Customer Service Manager as a result
- Dr Piera Ceschi, who has become the first veterinary surgeon to complete the CVLM. Working for the South Tyrol Health Authority in Italy, Dr Ceschi completed the course in her third language.
The VMG Award, Certificate and Diploma are modular qualifications with an emphasis on flexibility, accessibility, and real-world relevance. The qualification is accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). In addition to the core modules of the course studied by all participants, learners select an additional topic specifically tailored to the needs of their current role – or the role they aspire to. Specialisation options include practice finance, HR, mental health and leading change.
Commenting on the achievement of the Diploma, Gemma Fisher said: “I wanted to study for the full qualification because I’m very interested in the whole subject of practice management and I really love learning. I experienced a few lightbulb moments, especially early on in the course when I was trying to work out what kind of leader I was. This section of the course opened my eyes to different leadership styles and the type of leader I wanted to become. I put this into practice over time, so when I came to study the team management section towards the end of my course, I could see my development over the past two years.”
She added: “Overall, I found the course very enjoyable. There is time to really dig into each topic and many different modules to choose from. The support on offer from the tutors is also excellent.”
Launched by the VMG in 2021, the CVLM already boasts 151 Award holders; 39 Certificate holders and, now, one holder of the Diploma. 144 veterinary professionals are currently studying for the CVLM, including learners from the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
Dr Hannah Perrin, VMG/ILM Qualifications Course Director, added: “As leadership roles within the veterinary sector – and the careers of those taking them up - become ever more diverse, our priority in developing these courses was to create a suite of qualifications which was practical and engaging. It also had to be flexible enough to accommodate a range of career interests and aspirations, while retaining a core focus on leadership knowledge, skills and behaviours.
“Providing effective leadership for today’s veterinary world can be demanding but so rewarding. The ongoing positive results from the CVLM and DVLM show that current and future veterinary leaders are determined to ensure they can motivate and inspire their teams successfully through the challenges, while opening up new opportunities for both themselves and their organisations.”
The VMG is the professional association for all those in leadership and management roles in the veterinary sector. It empowers and equips veterinary leaders and their organisations to learn, share, and grow. The ILM is a professional membership body for leaders and managers and is the UK’s leading provider of leadership qualifications. Its purpose is improving leadership development, both in the UK and worldwide, ensuring businesses and individuals are equipped for the working world now and in the future.
More information about the qualifications is available here: www.vetmg.com/cvlm. The deadline for registration for the Winter term is 31st October.
Notes to editors:
VMG Qualifications Awarded
The following is a full list of those who have completed the required programme of study and passed the required assessments; and have therefore been awarded VMG and ILM qualifications on 30 September 2023:
VMG/ILM Level 5 Diploma in Veterinary Leadership & Management (DVLM)
- Gemma Fisher RVN DVLM, Head Veterinary Nurse, The Animal Clinic, Blackheath
VMG/ILM Level 5 Certificate in Veterinary Leadership & Management (CVLM)
- Louise Bambury CVLM, Practice Manager, Boness Vets, Bedfordshire
- Ruth Bennett RVN CVLM(HR), Practice Manager, Castle Vets, Dorset
- Emma Boyd CVLM, AHEMS Director/Exotic Animal Teaching Facility Manager, Edinburgh Vet School
- Piera Ceschi CVLM DVM, Veterinarian, One Health Division, South Tyrol Health Authority, Italy
- Tom Hallam RVN CVLM, Practice Manager, Vine Tree Vets, Herefordshire
- Rebecca Humphrey RVN CVLM, Head Veterinary Nurse, Shepherds the Vets, Rhondda
- Kate Judd CVLM, Practice Manager, Crossroads Vets, Buckinghamshire
- Danielle Kaelin RVN CVLM(Fin), Associate Director & Head Nurse, Hawthorn Vets, West Sussex
- Tamara Kendall RVN CVLM, Veterinary Nurse, Midsummer Vets, Buckinghamshire
- Gemma Passant RVN CVLM, Area Manager, Medivet, Shropshire
- Paul Rolfe CVLM, Practice Manager, Westmoor Vets, Cornwall
- Saija Smith CVLM, Practice Manager, Elands Vets, Kent
- Claire Wilson RVN CVLM, Practice Manager, Derwent Valley Vets, Derbyshire
- Catriona Young CVLM, Customer Services Manager, Carlisle Vets4Pets, Cumbria
Specialisms: Human Resources (HR), Mental Health (MH), Practice Finance (Fin)
VMG/ILM Level 5 Award in Veterinary Leadership & Management (AVLM)
- Alexandra Borges MRCVS, Divisional Veterinary Director, Medivet, Hertfordshire
- Danielle Boulter, Practice Administrator, Chalklands Vets, Wiltshire
- Stephanie Catt RVN, Head Veterinary Nurse, Vets Klinic, Berkshire
- Joanna Cole, Pet Relocation Services Manager, German Vet Clinic, UAE (MH)
- Holly Colledge RVN, Locum Veterinary Nurse, Derbyshire
- Ilse Fourie, Companion Animal Trainer, German Vet Clinic, UAE (MH)
- Sophie Francis, Branch Manager, Cinque Ports Vets, Kent
- Tshidi Gardiner MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon, South Devon Vet Hospital, Devon
- Katie Gulliver, Admin and Account Manager, Pilgrim Vets, Hampshire
- Laura Jackson RVN, Administrative Head Veterinary Nurse, Willows Vet Hospital, Cheshire
- Mohd Azam Khan DVM, Veterinary Business Consultant, Advanced Learning Centre, Malaysia
- Alannah Knutton MRCVS, Head Veterinary Surgeon, Vets Klinic, Wiltshire
- Alexandra Mollart RVN, Practice Manager, Winsford Vets, Cheshire
- Shelley Monks, Practice Manager, Langford Vets, Bristol
- Charlotte Pickup MRCVS, Principal Vet, Vets Now, Lancashire
- Lisa Powell RVN, Practice Manager, Shipley Vets, West Yorkshire
- Elisa Robinson RVN, Head of Nursing Services, Wear Referrals, Durham
- Helen Souter, Practice Manager, Hunt’s Vets, Cheshire
- Henry Timbrell, Stock Assistant, Coastway Vets, East Sussex
- Tracey Wheat RVN, Practice Manager, Carmel Vets, West Midlands
For further information:
Rebecca George, George PR
Tel/Whatsapp: 07974 161108
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