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).
91大神淚t91大神檚 enabled me to have more meaningful relationships with farmers and understand more of their world, because it91大神檚 not just about veterinary science, is it?91大神� she reflects.
91大神淚t91大神檚 about how the animals are kept, their nutrition and gaining knowledge.
I have shared tutor-marked assignments with other colleagues, which I think they91大神檝e enjoyed and appreciated.91大神�
The final graduation
Even after completing the certificate,
a break from the books made Deborah realise that she wasn91大神檛 quite ready to stop.
91大神淚 was getting itchy feet!91大神� she says.
91大神淚 did the certificate and was very happy with that. I had a rest and thought 91大神� should I be taking any more CPD, trying to fit this in?
91大神淚 strove forward to do the Diploma, supported by the agency. And that91大神檚 been really brilliant, because it91大神檚 relevant to what I do.91大神�
So, is this the final step in a remarkable journey? Deborah thinks so. 91大神淚91大神檓 delighted I have completed the Diploma, but I won91大神檛 be doing any more studying,91大神� she says.
91大神淚t91大神檚 a lovely opportunity to reflect that actually it took me five years in total,91大神� she says. 91大神淚t can be quite a personal struggle, so it91大神檚 great to have made it once again. 91大神淔or me, it91大神檚 just about where I am today. I91大神檓 an independent woman, and I91大神檓 proud of what I91大神檝e achieved.91大神�
Are you interested to know more about the RVC & University of London91大神檚 Postgraduate Diploma in Livestock Health and Production (distance learning)? Don91大神檛 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 Alexander91大神檚 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.
91大神淚91大神檝e always tried to do the best I can
in whatever role I91大神檝e had,91大神� she says. 91大神淚91大神檝e always gone from one topic or discipline to another, so I91大神檝e just tried to make sure that I91大神檓 doing the best I can within that area.91大神�
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.
91大神淭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,91大神� she says. 91大神淚t was a very upsetting moment but good to have been of help.91大神�
Unable to relocate with Novartis
some years later, Deborah91大神檚 thoughts returned to veterinary practice 91大神� and further study. 91大神淚 thought to myself
91大神� it91大神檚 been a long time since you91大神檝e done large animal practice. You need something that91大神檚 pertinent to that role.91大神� The Postgraduate Certificate in Livestock Health and Production by distance learning proved ideal.