Dr Mary Thomas

BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAS PGCertEmerg(WBIS) MRCVS

Candidate 18 of 20

Proposers: Gillian Burkhill, Dr Sara Jackson

Contact details

E [email protected]

Candidate biography

Mary graduated from the RVC in 2006 and began her career in the small animal independent clinic in which she had completed the majority of her work experience and EMS. In 2009, she moved to a multi-site small animal first opinion and referral practice in the northwest of England where she worked for almost a decade, gaining a BSAVA PgCertSAS in 2016.

From 2019, after a period of maternity leave, and a move to North Wales to own a boarding kennels and cattery business, Mary locumed for over 20 independent and corporately owned practices, before taking up an operational management position within a national out-of-hours provider in 2021. Mary transitioned to a clinical leadership role in 2022; during the following year she was nominated and shortlisted in the Company's annual awards, and served on the Clinical Strategy Board. Mary gained a second PgCert, this time in Emergency Practice, in 2023, and remains inquisitive and passionate about continuous learning and development.

Candidate statement 

Why do you want to stand to be a member of RCVS Council?

I remain passionate about the veterinary profession and I would like to contribute more widely to animal health and welfare, and public health, especially during these times of transition, global challenge, and fiscal uncertainty. In my mid-career, I encourage evaluation and consideration of both the details and the big picture, perhaps benefiting from having been identified as having a neurodivergent condition via screening processes within the last year.

I believe in accurate promising and efficient, accurate delivery, with an overarching desire for simplicity and clarity. I believe the RCVS could do more to ensure its members know how to report integrity concerns and encourage wide participation, from the beginning of a career, for the benefit of the profession as a whole, by more regularly and simply communicating progress on matters such as mandatory practice regulation proposal work. Relatable and accessible communication with the public and the profession is essential and there is great room for improvement here.

Having participated in the ongoing exploration into veterinary clinical career pathways I am passionate about supporting those at any point in their career release their further potential and gain satisfaction from this rewarding career, minimising the barriers for hard-working professionals.

What do you think you can bring to RCVS Council?

I bring a lived experience of striving to fulfil potential and aspirations as a child with significant chronic illness followed by navigating the desire to maintain a high-standard career alongside subsequent disability and infertility, and family life; I would like to continue to understand, support and develop these aspects of the conversations within the RCVS' registration, professional standards, and education remits. I do not count myself as uniquely qualified for this role but bring a renewed determination to listen to, collate, and contribute wide-perspective ideas and champion alternative, easily digestible, delivery of information to maintain accessibility and clarity.

I have an enquiring and curious mind, aiming to crystalise the problem whilst maintaining a solution-based discussion based on the principles of equity and fairness, and the strength to make objective decisions.

What relevant experience do you have?

Running a small, animal care business honed my skills in interpretation of legislation and successful protocol implementation to comply with regulations whilst my employed experience encompasses individual and large audience multi-stakeholder internal and external communication, leadership, and collaboration.

Returning to clinical practice after three years primarily non-clinical has exposed me to another challenge faced by large sections of our profession, post lengthy career break, and this experience has been invaluable to highlight re-integration opportunities.

As a parent governor, I have a role in developing financial action plans, developing and supporting implementation of the school vision, ensuring head teacher accountability, advocating for the parents to ensure high standards of education, and primarily engaging with pupils' parents and guardians to develop openness and trusting relationships; I feel there are some clear parallels with the RCVS council role and this additional experience has given me tools I will need to ensure my understanding of the issues impacting the entire breadth of the veterinary profession, out with my own personal experience.

Is there anything else you would like to add in support of your candidacy?

Recently, Mary has returned to independent clinical practice in North Wales, enabling her to serve as a Parent Governor at her daughter's large primary school, volunteer as a chaperone with youth musical theatre and dance, and champion the access to STEM education and the development of confidence within the local next generation.

No conflicts of interest are declared.