Humanimal Trust, the charity founded in 2014 by orthopaedic veterinary surgeon, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, has appointed a new Vice Chair of Trustees, Dr Mary Fraser.
Mary qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine in 1994, and went on to work in mixed and small animal practice, before returning to academia to complete further clinical qualifications and a PhD in Canine Atopic Dermatitis. Mary then moved on to teach veterinary nursing, while also establishing her own small animal practice and veterinary education company.
Most recently, Mary joined the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh as Director of Education, Training and Assessment, where she oversees training and examinations for medical physicians. She also lectures on Evidence Based Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow.
She is an accomplished researcher and author and has published over 100 articles, book chapters, books and papers. In 2017, Mary was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for “meritorious contributions to the Profession”.
Reflecting on her appointment, Mary, said: “I am delighted to join Humanimal Trust at this exciting time. There are so many opportunities to bring together professionals from both human and veterinary medicine to advance One Medicine. As the Trust’s recent 10-year anniversary symposium showed, there is now real momentum from professionals on both sides who can see the benefits for all species that come with closer collaboration. I’m really looking forward to working with the team and helping to make this happen.”
Chair of Humanimal Trust’s Board of Trustees, Professor Roberto La Ragione, said: “On behalf of all Humanimal Trust trustees, staff, volunteers and supporters, I would like to welcome Dr Mary Fraser as Vice Chair of Trustees for Humanimal Trust. Mary’s drive and enthusiasm, combined with her rich professional experience across both human and animal medicine, make her ideally placed to help push forward the Trust’s aims and ambition, especially as the charity enters its second decade.
“We have a number of exciting projects on the horizon, from expanding our One Medicine research funding award opportunities, to increasing the reach of our Education Programme into universities through our One Medicine Societies, and releasing a One Medicine Handbook. Mary’s passion for medical and veterinary science and education will be particularly valuable in ensuring these projects are a real success.”
Humanimal Trust is the only organisation in the UK with the sole and specific purpose of progressing One Medicine. It drives collaboration between vets, doctors and researchers so that all humans and animals benefit from sustainable and equal medical progress, but not at the expense of an animal’s life. This is One Medicine.
The charity has just released a series of short videos entitled ‘What is One Medicine?’, where founder, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, talks about the concept and why a fair deal for all human and animal patients is so crucial.
Anyone interested in finding out more can sign up to the Humanimal Hub, a free online platform for all human and animal medical professionals to meet, collaborate, share knowledge and initiate research, for the benefit of all species.
