Aberystwyth University vet receives Honorary Fellowship
Phil Thomas, Director of Ystwyth Veterinary Practice in Aberystwyth, has been presented with an Honorary Fellowship of Aberystwyth University.
Born, raised and educated in Aberystwyth, Phil Thomas studied in the Royal Veterinary College in London.
He worked in mixed veterinary practices in Llandovery and Bridgend until 1991.
He then spent three years helping to develop veterinary services in Battambang, a western province of Cambodia, through Voluntary Services Overseas.
On his return he worked in several mixed practices before returning to Aberystwyth taking a position at Ystwyth Vets, where he has gone on to become a partner and latterly a director, job sharing with his partner, Dr Kate O’Sullivan, whilst they raised their four children.
He has been involved with many local and veterinary groups, including as a director of Iechyd Da, one of partners that delivers veterinary services to the UK and Welsh governments. Through this role, he was involved with Aberystwyth University in setting up the Wales Veterinary Science Centre in the site of the closed veterinary investigation centre in Aberystwyth.
He has assisted in the interviewing, teaching, examining and mentoring of students at Aberystwyth University.
Phil Thomas was presented as Honorary Fellow by Sharon King, Lecturer in Veterinary Science in the Department of Life Sciences, on Thursday 20 July 2023.
The full conferral presentation is available below, in the language in which it was delivered.
Presentation of Phil Thomas by Sharon King:
Cadeirydd y Cyngor, Dirprwy Is-Ganghellor, graddedigion, gyfeillion. Pleser o’r mwyaf yw cyflwyno Phil Thomas yn gymrawd Prifysgol Aberystwyth.
Chair of Council, Pro Vice-Chancellor, graduates and supporters. It is an honour and a privilege to present Phil Thomas as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.
In 2012, or there abouts, it may not be common knowledge, but Phil wrote an email, stating his dream for the Agricultural and Veterinary Industries in Wales. This dream was to once again see a Welsh veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Aberystwyth following the closure of the government Veterinary Investigation Centre along with the first Welsh Veterinary School, educating the vets of the future here in Wales, thus placing Aberystwyth on the map as a centre of excellence for animal health in Wales. Not long after, in 2014/15, following involvement with many local veterinary groups and becoming one of the directors of Iechyd Da, one of the delivery partners delivering veterinary services to the UK and Welsh governments, Phil was instrumental along with Aberystwyth University in setting up the Wales Veterinary Science Centre at the site of the closed veterinary investigation centre on the Buarth here in Aberystwyth.