Territorial Division of the British Veterinary Association

President:
​ Joana Crisostomo

Joana graduated in 2008 from Porto University in Portugal. She worked in small animal practice and veterinary sales before she moved permanently to the UK in 2012. She now works as a government vet for the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in Devon. As a student she took active part in her local and national veterinary students associations in Portugal, and is very happy to be able to contribute again to the development of the veterinary profession through WCVA.

Treasurer:
​ Andrew Warner

​Andrew moved to Devon in 1980 and has felt at home ever since. During this time he has served the developing community of rural Devon, and its changing demands has been a source of great fun. Now that Andrews own family has grown, he feels that helping to look after the Veterinary family feels rewarding.
Now retired, Andrew enjoys being outside, whether cycling or running/hashing, or walking or trekking. 
He has always found the BVA divisions to be a good place to meet and mix with colleagues from other practices and disciplines and to find out about their experiences.

South West BVA Rep:
​Richard Walters

Richard graduated from Bristol in 2010 and has worked in mixed practice ever since. He enjoys the wide range of work that mixed practice has to offer. He became South West Representative for BVA in March 2018, a role which involves linking WCVA with BVA council.

Committee Member: 
​Tom Hill BVSc MRCVS

​After Qualifying from Liverpool University in 1999, Tom’s first job was in Devon then followed by a period near Bristol and around the West Country, before returning to Devon in late 2005. He has always worked in mixed practice, apart from brief periods in equine and small animal only practice in 2005. He is a partner in a mixed practice based in Newton Abbot and has been on the committee for WCVA since 2009, serving as President for three years.

Committee Member:
​ Julian Kupfer

​Julian has spent the majority of his working life in mixed practice in Somerset and in the last few years has worked for major pharmaceutical companies. As a past WCVA President he has always been proud of the association and the support it continues to give to the profession in the southwest.
His spare time is split between voluntary work and still trying to finish building the family home.

Committee member:
Zoe Rickard

I graduated from Liverpool university in 2008. I enjoyed working in mixed practice for 6 years before continuing in small animal practice in my home town of Ivybridge. I am currently undertaking a certificate in small animal medicine. I have a particular interest in cardiology and shelter medicine. I have also recently enjoyed working with the Plymouth Street Vet team who support animals belonging to the homeless. My husband and I are kept busy with our 2 children and our assortment of chickens, sheep, ponies and the latest addition to the family our collie Flo.

Vice President:
​Thomas Rees MA VetMB MRCVS

Thomas moved to Gabriel, Grills in Ivybridge in May 2011, having previously been working in North Yorkshire since graduating in 2009. In his spare time he founded and developed a website for recent graduate vets, VetGrad.co.uk. He has recently started organising free evening CPD meetings for recent graduate vets (up to 8 years qualified) in Devon, as when he was in Yorkshire he was impressed by their extremely active recent graduate network Thomas hopes to work with the WCVA committee to increase awareness of the wide range of courses available to us both from WCVA and the Devon Graduate Support Group. When he's not vetting or working on VetGrad.co.uk he enjoy sailing and exploring our beautiful county.

Secretary:
​Brenda Soldan​

Brenda has worked in mixed, equine and small animal practice, overseas and for a university. She now works at Coombefield Veterinary Hospital with an interest in diagnostic imaging. She juggles  her job with family commitments, voluntary work, horse riding and dog walking. ​

 Committee Member:
​Nicola Harris

​​Nicola graduated from the University of Bristol in 2012 and has been working in small animal practice in South Somerset and Dorset ever since. She was the SW Regional BVA rep from March 2015 - 2018 and has remained on the WCVA committee following this.

Young Vet Network Rep:
​Alan Johnson

​Alan graduated in 2018 from The Royal Veterinary College and started working at Filham Park Veterinary Clinic in July 2018. His main interests are in emergency critical care, surgery and neurology. During his time at the RVC Alan was involved in many of the sports teams and so it was a natural progression that when he qualified he would take over as the South West Young Vet Network representative. Since taking over in August the YVN has organised CPD on ‘Common Orthopaedic Conditions’ and ‘Approach to OOH across the species’ as well as enjoying surfing, clay pigeon shooting and indoor climbing. When not working or organising YVN events Alan enjoys spending time with his German Shepherd “Kevin” playing golf and snorkeling. 

Committee Member:
Helen Springett

​Helen graduated with distinction from Bristol University in 2008, working in mixed practice since (mainly small animal work). She moved from Cheltenham to Devon in 2013 to be with her fiancee. After almost 5 years in a local independent mixed practice, Helen has recently returned to locum work. She thoroughly enjoys the outdoors, particularly going eventing with her ex-racehorse, bringing on her younger horse and taking Mulberry, the English Pointer, for a walk. She hopes to help the committee continue to provide good affordable local CPD.

Administrator:
​ Vicky Driver

​I began working for WCVA in March 2011. I handle all of the administration work for the Association from arranging speakers, processing meeting bookings and keeping the website up to date. I have worked in the Veterinary Profession for 13 years in reception, nursing and administration roles both in a mixed and companion animal practices.
I greatly enjoy my role within WCVA and the challenges it often brings!

Staying in sync

Meetings and social events keep the committee informed and focused on the roles we each play within WCVA. Positive feedback has been fantastic.
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Click here for the latest on our Facebook page.

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Council Meetings

Please see below the dates of the next BVA and WCVA Council meetings. If you would like to attend a WCVA council meeting please contact our administrator.
Dates of BVA and WCVA council meetings this year:

BVA Council Meetings:
Wednesday 15th April
Wednesday 15th July
Wednesday 9th December
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WCVA Council Meetings:
Wednesday 8th April - TBC