Speaker Bios

 

Rob Ward

BSc (hons) BVM&S FHEA Dip ECVAA MRCVS

Rob is a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, a position he have held for the past six years. Following his graduation in 2010, Rob pursued a varied career path, encompassing both clinical and non-clinical roles, prior to specialising in anaesthesia and completing a residency at the University of Cambridge in 2020. His professional interests span all aspects of anaesthesia, with a particular emphasis on mechanical ventilation and the provision of anaesthetic care to exotic species in zoos. Outside of his academic and clinical commitments, Rob enjoys being outdoors and can usually be found walking or running in the Pentland Hills, as well as rock climbing and bouldering.

 

Heidi Featherstone

Heidi graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 1991. She worked in general practice for seven years before starting her training in ophthalmology at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket. Heidi gained her RCVS Diploma in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2001, and her European Diploma in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2005. She is both an RCVS Recognised Specialist and an EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology. She is a member of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Panel, past secretary of the British Association of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (BrAVO) and the past President of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ECVO). Heidi enjoys teaching undergraduates and has been involved with two veterinary schools (Nottingham University and St George’s University, Grenada), as well as training post-graduates via the ECVO residency programme. Her clinical interests include corneal disease and the surgical management of cataract. She has published on several aspects of veterinary ophthalmology and is a regular speaker in the UK and overseas.

 

James Rushton

James graduated from the Veterinary University Vienna in 2009 and was on the fast track to becoming a large animal surgeon. However during his PhD he discovered his passion for ophthalmology and has stuck with it ever since.  He completed a residency in Veterinary Comparative Ophthalmology and became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology and an EBVS (European Board of Veterinary Specialization) specialist of Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2018. He has been working in private practice in 2 referral centres in the UK since 2016 and currently holds the position of Head of Ophthalmology at Paragon Referrals in West Yorkshire. He has authored several peer reviewed publications, presented at numerous national and international ophthalmology conferences and has received several awards for his scientific achievements. He has been involved with committee work for several professional organizations including the British Association of Veterinary Ophthalmology, the International Equine Ophthalmology Consortium and European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology and is currently the Subject Matter Expert for Mars Veterinary Health Europe. James was recently awarded Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Prior to the cultivation of his passion for ophthalmology, James was an entry level event rider, an avid karaoke singer, a passionate salsa dancer and a connoisseur of food and drink. With increasing involvement in his professional career his hair line has receded, his waist line has increased and the only thing that remains outside of work is the passion for good food, largely influenced by his wife`s amazing cooking and baking skills. James is the proud dad to 3 boys who keep him occupied during his rare free-time.