A FORMER Largs vet has landed a top appointment at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Dr Melissa Donald MRCVS has been elected as the organisation’s junior vice-president for 2021-22, and will take up the post later this year.

After working as a food animal intern in the United States, she became a veterinary surgeon in Largs for 20 years.

Melissa was first elected to the council in 2016 and re-elected in 2020 and, since joining, has sat on a number of committees.

As well as her work with RCVS, she has also been president of the British Veterinary Association’s Scottish Branch and a trustee of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Outside of work, she enjoys running, swimming, cooking, reading and hopes to have the patience one day to write children’s books.

Speaking about her election, Melissa says she will put everything into her new role, as she has done throughout her distinguished career.

She added: “I’m delighted and humbled to have been voted in as junior vice-president from July this year.

“Thank you to my peers on council and, as with everything I have done in my career, you, the profession, will see me put all my energy and commitment into the role.

“Themes that I'm keen to develop as a member of the RCVS officer team will be improved communication, community within the workplace and looking into how we can use veterinary human factors to improve patient safety.”

The RCVS is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons and registered veterinary nurses in the UK and sets, upholds and advances veterinary standards.