FARM vet Mel Julian is hoping to inspire the next generation to join the profession after being crowned VetPartners Vet of the Year.
Mel, who is senior farm vet at Cross Counties Farm Vets in Welford, Northampton, won the award at our annual Congress which celebrates shining stars and unsung heroes across our veterinary practices and animal healthcare businesses in the UK and Ireland.
She was honoured for her “outstanding dedication, leadership and commitment” at her both practice and as part of the VetPartners Farm Animal Clinical Board.
As well as being there for patients, clients and team members, she is an active member of the VetPartners Farm Animal Clinical Board and, in a memorable couple of years, she even found time to complete her RCVS Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice (Cattle) and organise her wedding.
Mel said: “I feel honoured to win the award as there are so many amazing and inspiring people within VetPartners doing brilliant things so to be recognised is incredible. I was genuinely shocked to be shortlisted let alone win.
“I am very passionate about farm vetting and agriculture, and the brilliant work farm vets do to improve animal health, welfare and ultimately aid farmers to do a fab job. Hopefully the award will help to shine a light on farm vets which is great.
“I love my role as I enjoy being out of farms working alongside our fantastic clients, but I enjoy mixing clinical work with supporting the rest of our vet team, line managing our farm support team and acting a mentor for our Vet Tech during her apprenticeship. I also assist our clinical directors and help to develop and drive the farm side of the business forward.
“Having started as a mixed vet, I generally have a good understanding of the small animal side as well and try to offer support if and when needed to their team.”
Mel graduated from Royal Veterinary College in London in 2014 and joined Broughton Vets in 2017. During her time at the practice, Broughton Vets merged with Westpoint Farm Vets in Daventry to create Cross Counties Farm Vets.
She predominately looks after cattle and sheep across Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire, with some smallholder work, including goats, alpacas and pigs.
She is committed to developing her career and completed her Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice, with a focus on cattle in 2024.
“My Certificate has helped me to develop as a vet,” she said.
“It was a lot of work, particularly whilst working full-time, but helped my professional development.
“For me personally, the support I have received from VetPartners has been excellent. I have been very lucky to meet some great people who I can go to for help as and when needed.
“Joining the Clinical Board has added to this, forming some great friends within the group but also helping to push me to develop further. I have been very lucky to participate in the leadership courses offered and various CPD events. The Senior Leaders course in particular not only offered great CPD but has added another group of amazing colleagues who have become friends and are always happy to offer support.”
Mel stepped into the role of Clinical Director at her practice while a colleague was on maternity leave and helped to maintain the practice’s high standard of service and care.
VetPartners Farm Director Ian Cure, who presented the award, said: “Mel has demonstrated outstanding dedication, leadership and commitment this year. She took on many additional responsibilities, such as guiding the practice’s farm support team through team changes, supporting a pregnant colleague by taking on extra on-call duties and handling a challenging caseload. She also found time to work on important projects such as the VetPartners Caesar audit of cattle.”
Mel added: “I’m very grateful for the amazing team I work with and for their kind nomination, alongside all the amazing colleagues who have helped me along the way.”
- For VetPartners media enquiries, please contact Amanda Little, PR and Communications Director, at [email protected] or 07970 198492
