Jo Cobbett's career has gone from strength to strength with the support of VetPartners
Why Jo Feels She's In Perfect Harmony With VetPartners
2 years ago 
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Since joining Eastgate Vets in Bury St Edmunds, Jo Cobbett has seen her career go from strength to strength, and has been supported to take on a leadership role.
Promoted to a clinical director, she has also completed her BSAVA postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Ophthalmology with the support of VetPartners.
Plus, she was part of Eastgate’s performance of Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major that saw the practice win the title of VetPartners Got Talent.
ACHIEVING my BSAVA postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Ophthalmology was the culmination of four years of hard work and an incredibly satisfying milestone in my veterinary career.
For me, studying for the certificate wasn’t just about learning; it was about using the knowledge I’ve gained and putting it into practice every day so we can provide the best possible care for our patients.
It broadened my role and enabled Eastgate Vets to expand what we can provide, as we now offer an ophthalmology service.
I am now able to take on more advanced eye cases, and as a practice we can offer a range of ocular surgery, including eyelid mass removal, cherry eye, entropion correction, corneal surgery and eyelid reconstruction, as well as medical treatment of ocular disease such as glaucoma and dry eye.
We wouldn’t have been able to do that without the support of VetPartners.
VetPartners funded my certificate, which was a real advantage for me as I wouldn’t have been able to afford it myself. I wanted to develop my skills in the area of ophthalmology and expand what we are able to offer clients with more specialist treatments and surgery. As well as the financial support, VetPartners also ensured I was supported with time to attend lectures and meet the demands of the course.
This felt reassuring and was really important to me. A lack of support in pursuing my love of ophthalmology was one of the reasons I left my previous practice to join Eastgate, which became a part of the VetPartners family shortly after my arrival. The way VetPartners supports people to develop thriving careers is one of the main reasons why I really like being part of the group.
But their support didn’t just end there. In order to enable me to achieve my certificate they invested in equipment for the practice, including surgical loupes for microsurgery and a slit lamp, which is vital for examining eyes properly, and there will be further investment in other equipment too.
After joining Eastgate Vets in 2017, I was promoted to clinical director in 2019.
I completed VetPartners’ senior leadership programme, which helps to equip you with the skills that benefit you in your role. One of the biggest benefits of being part of a larger group is meeting other people in the same role and being able to have a support network. You have opportunities for discussion and sharing knowledge and ideas, which is so beneficial to us all.
While I’ve been supported in my career enormously by VetPartners, there are other things I love about being part of our family of practices.
There is a fun, caring culture and, when things were tough for us all during the pandemic, VetPartners really supported us through it. They organised VetPartners Got Talent and Eastgate Vets actually won the competition with our performance of Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major. It was great fun taking part and filming our video of us all playing our instruments.
As a mum of two, I can benefit from flexible working and time at home to do my admin so my career and family life can dovetail.
VetPartners even organised a Bake Off competition, and we’re encouraged to support charities and worthy causes close to our heart.
Jo Cobbett graduated from Cambridge University in 2009 and joined Eastgate Vets in 2017. She has a particular interest in ophthalmology and has gained a BSAVA postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Ophthalmology.
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