Published: 26th March 2021
Dr Rand Wilson, Director of Pathology and a Boarded Clinical Pathologist at the Veterinary Pathology Group (VPG) has been recognised with Specialist Status in Veterinary Clinical Pathology (Exotics, Zoo and Wildlife) by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
A veterinarian for over three decades, including twelve years as a specialist Board Certified in Veterinary Clinical Pathology and 6 years residency and research at university, Rand has held several positions within the specialism of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (Exotics, Zoo and Wildlife) including drug development / pharmaceutical industry research, (mostly in private veterinary diagnostic laboratories) across two continents.
Studying wildlife biology at Colorado State University, and focusing on mega-fauna; Rand began working on trapping projects with bighorn sheep, analysing lungworm infections and parasites. Continuing on to veterinary medical school, with a focus on wild and exotic animals, he helped start and found the Rocky Mountain Raptor Rehabilitation Center Project, which set out to medically treat injured and shot birds of prey and rehabilitate them back into the wild where possible.
After graduating with a BS in Wildlife Biology and DVM in Veterinary Medicine, Rand worked for over nine years in private veterinary practice in California and across Colorado; acquiring a wealth of experience, including several years as an emergency and critical care veterinarian. Throughout this time, Rand practiced medicine and surgery on many bird and reptile species as well as amphibians and exotic mammals.
Returning to Colorado State University to complete a residency in Clinical Pathology, Rand passed the ACVP boards in 2008. Over the next few years, Rand worked as a pathologist at a contract research organisation; progressing an expertise in bone marrow analysis, following a focus within residency. Following this, Rand then moved into a clinical pathologist position at IDEXX, before moving to the UK in 2013.
Recognition by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons involves detailed evaluation of the background to study, including veterinary medical school, any residencies, awards and accolades in the specialist field, publications, Board Certification and in Rand’s case his research in malaria and leishmania within clinical pathology. Another key part of this process is how an individual passes on expert knowledge in training residents and fellow veterinarians.
Co-founder and Managing Director of VPG, Andrew Torrance commented “We are delighted to announce Rand’s recognition by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. We are privileged to have one of only very few experts in the field of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (Exotics, Zoo and Wildlife) in the UK and throughout the veterinary world leading pathology at VPG.”
More information on VPG’s specialised laboratory services for exotic animals and contact details for Rand and the Leeds laboratory can be found here.
