Page 50 - eclipse - Autumn 2018

CLASSNOTES
A final chapter in a lifetime of learning:
Deborah achieves her Postgraduate Diploma in Livestock Health and Production (distance learning).
新月直播淚t新月直播檚 enabled me to have more meaningful relationships with farmers and understand more of their world, because it新月直播檚 not just about veterinary science, is it?新月直播� she reflects.
新月直播淚t新月直播檚 about how the animals are kept, their nutrition and gaining knowledge.
I have shared tutor-marked assignments with other colleagues, which I think they新月直播檝e enjoyed and appreciated.新月直播�
The final graduation
Even after completing the certificate,
a break from the books made Deborah realise that she wasn新月直播檛 quite ready to stop.
新月直播淚 was getting itchy feet!新月直播� she says.
新月直播淚 did the certificate and was very happy with that. I had a rest and thought 新月直播� should I be taking any more CPD, trying to fit this in?
新月直播淚 strove forward to do the Diploma, supported by the agency. And that新月直播檚 been really brilliant, because it新月直播檚 relevant to what I do.新月直播�
So, is this the final step in a remarkable journey? Deborah thinks so. 新月直播淚新月直播檓 delighted I have completed the Diploma, but I won新月直播檛 be doing any more studying,新月直播� she says.
新月直播淚t新月直播檚 a lovely opportunity to reflect that actually it took me five years in total,新月直播� she says. 新月直播淚t can be quite a personal struggle, so it新月直播檚 great to have made it once again. 新月直播淔or me, it新月直播檚 just about where I am today. I新月直播檓 an independent woman, and I新月直播檓 proud of what I新月直播檝e achieved.新月直播�
Are you interested to know more about the RVC & University of London新月直播檚 Postgraduate Diploma in Livestock Health and Production (distance learning)? Don新月直播檛 forget we offer RVC alumni a 20% discount! Please contact us at development@rvc.ac.uk and we can tell you more.
By Keith McDonald
Deborah Alexander新月直播檚 long and fascinating career has taken her through many vocations in veterinary science, including mixed and small animal practice, imaging and radiology. Accompanying this every step of the way has been an incredible appetite for learning, which she crowned this year with a Postgraduate Diploma
in Livestock Health and Production (distance learning).
During her early career, she held
a research position at the University of Cambridge while studying for
a diploma in radiology. Years later, while Head Vet at Wood Green Animal Shelter, she enrolled with the RCVS for a certificate in small animal surgery. Upon joining the Animal and Plant Health Agency, an arm of the government department DEFRA, her goal to become a veterinary officer
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drove her towards our Livestock Health and Production programme by distance learning.
She began with the Postgraduate Certificate before progressing to the Diploma.
新月直播淚新月直播檝e always tried to do the best I can
in whatever role I新月直播檝e had,新月直播� she says. 新月直播淚新月直播檝e always gone from one topic or discipline to another, so I新月直播檝e just tried to make sure that I新月直播檓 doing the best I can within that area.新月直播�
Supporting farmers
By the turn of the century, Deborah had left practice and was working
in the development of medicine
for Novartis Animal Health. The company released her to help with the devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in 2001.
新月直播淭he British Veterinary Association were looking for any volunteers. I did
a couple of weeks and my fees were donated back to the farmer who lost all his animals,新月直播� she says. 新月直播淚t was a very upsetting moment but good to have been of help.新月直播�
Unable to relocate with Novartis
some years later, Deborah新月直播檚 thoughts returned to veterinary practice 新月直播� and further study. 新月直播淚 thought to myself
新月直播� it新月直播檚 been a long time since you新月直播檝e done large animal practice. You need something that新月直播檚 pertinent to that role.新月直播� The Postgraduate Certificate in Livestock Health and Production by distance learning proved ideal.