Awards & Honorary Members

Vic Simpson left a legacy to BVZS to promote and support research by BVZS members into conditions that affect free-living British wildlife. Although his wishes were not binding, he requested of BVZS Council that; the money should be ‘ring fenced’ to ensure that it is used entirely to promote and support research into conditions that affect free-living British wildlife; financial support should be offered to BVZS members for their work on British wildlife and priority should be given to applicants who have limited means or work largely at their own expense.

After discussion in 2019, BVZS Council agreed that the legacy would be used to fund up to two annual awards (the ‘Vic Simpson Awards’) to allow BVZS members to attend and present work focused on British wildlife at the annual BVZS conference as part of the Wildlife Health Day, with priority given to those who financially might otherwise be unable to do so. The first Awards were presented at the 2019 Conference in Manchester by Vic’s widow Jane. As a result of the covid-19 pandemic, no Awards were made in 2020 or 2021.

The prize for “Best Zoological Medicine paper published in a Journal in English” was first presented to Ian Keymer for two papers published in the Veterinary Record on ‘Diseases of Tortoises and Terrapins’ in 1979. The Award may be given to the BVZS member who is considered to have authored or co-authored the best scientific publication in the field of zoological medicine, to include free-ranging and/or captive wildlife, zoo animals and/or non-traditional companion animals (exotic pets), in the preceding 12 months.

The award may be made annually.

Originally the ‘Warner Lambert Award’, envisaged at 75th Council meeting on Dec 4th 1979 and initially presented for ‘Outstanding contributions in the field of Veterinary Care of Reptiles and Amphibians’. Warner Lambert agreed to sponsor the award of £50 annually along with a certificate for the person who had contributed most to scientific study of Reptiles. This was not necessarily to be a vet or a British resident. A panel was set up to judge the award, which was first presented at the 1980 BSAVA Congress. Subsequent awards were presented at BVZS meetings. BVZS Council agreed that Dr. Elkin should be first recipient. In 1982 the award became the ‘Parke Davies Award’. In 1994 the award was broadened to all ‘Outstanding contributions to the field of Zoological Medicine’. In 1996 it became the ‘Parke Davies (Upjohn) Award’ and later still the ‘BVZS/FZG Award’.

The award was brought back in 2023 and may be awarded biennially.

From time to time, other awards may be issued and announced to celebrate the diversity of recognition BVZS gives members for contributions to zoological medicine.