First Recipient of a New Postgraduate Diploma Recognised

Dr Graeme McKeown has become the first veterinary surgeon in the UK to be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Practice Sciences (PgD AVPS).  Dr McKeown, who owns practices in Hove and Tunbridge Wells, was one of a number of Postgraduate awardees to receive their awards at a ceremony at Harper Adams University on Tuesday 25 April 2017.

The Postgraduate Diploma is offered by veterinary CPD provider Improve International in association with its assessment partners – the European School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ESVPS) and Harper Adams University.  It offers an opportunity for veterinary surgeons to achieve a higher level of qualification, which recognises achievement in one or more areas of clinical interest, whilst developing their research skills in readiness for a vocationally relevant investigation, which adds to the scientific evidence base.

Commenting on his achievement he said: “I embarked on Improve’s Postgraduate Diploma as I was keen to deepen my knowledge and expand my skills following completion of the Postgraduate Certificates (PgC) in both Small Animal Medicine and Small Animal Surgery.  Studying was a huge challenge as I have a family of three children all under six, own two busy practices and often don’t finish work till gone 10.00 pm. This made studying demanding at times but hugely rewarding in the end.

“I am proud to be the first vet in the UK to achieve this qualification, and it has given me the confidence to handle more advanced and difficult surgical and medical cases. This has resulted in an increased caseload of second opinions and local referrals and has also helped me to act as a mentor to the junior vets in my team. Surprisingly, it has renewed my interest in studying and attaining further qualifications, and I hope to complete both the PgC in Feline Veterinary Studies and the PgC in Small Animal Endoscopy and Endosurgery, later this year.”

David Babington MRCVS, Managing Director of Improve International, said: “Graeme’s academic achievements reflect his aspiration to stand out as a practice owner.  His achievement is exceptional, and we congratulate him on the commitment he has shown to continuing education in becoming the first recipient of this new and exciting PgD.”