The announcement of Alice's win was made at the recent Vets Now Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) Congress, held in Leeds in November 2025. The 2025 Congress brought together over 900 veterinary professionals for two days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration, with delegates choosing from 77 hours of CPD delivered by leading voices in the field.
The £2000 bursary was established in 2019 following the untimely passing of Louise O’Dwyer, whose impact on the veterinary community endures through her teaching, publications, and the countless professionals she inspired. The award is Vets Now’s tribute to Louise’s unwavering commitment to clinical excellence and the culture of learning she fostered.
This year, the award was given to Alice Cheney RVN, Principal Nurse Manager (Maternity Cover) at Hemel Hempstead. During her time in position, Alice Cheney has championed team development by mentoring colleagues and encouraging further qualifications. She introduced a skills rotation programme to ensure all team members, nurses, vets and animal care assistants alike remain confident in essential procedures, and has played a key role in supporting new clinicians and fostering a collaborative approach to complex cases. In short, she exemplifies what Louise O'Dwyer was passionate about, and the award was well deserved.
Commenting on her win, Alice said “I’m truly honoured to receive the Louise O’Dwyer Bursary. Louise’s dedication to education and her infectious enthusiasm for emergency and critical care have inspired so many of us. I hope to use this opportunity to deepen my expertise in medical nursing and share that knowledge with my colleagues, just as Louise did.”
She plans to use the £2000 bursary towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Medical Nursing).