Dr Rob Turner

BVSc PCertSci MVS FANZCVS (Veterinary Radiology) – Radiologist

Dr Rob completed his undergraduate degree at Massey University in New Zealand and later pursued advanced studies in veterinary medicine, obtaining a Post Graduate Certificate in Science (PGCertSci) and a Master of Veterinary Science (MVS). After completing a diagnostic imaging residency at the University of Melbourne, Dr Rob successfully passed the ANZCVS Fellowship exams to become a specialist in Small Animal Radiology in 2021.

Before pursuing specialist qualifications, Dr Rob worked in general practice in Cairns, Adelaide, and Jaipur. He has also spent time volunteering with small animal welfare clinics in India and the Animal Asia Centre in Chengdu, China.

Dr Rob has a particular interest in vascular imaging, neuroimaging, swallowing studies, interventional radiography, and interventional ultrasonography. He is currently undertaking a PhD investigating the ultrasonographic characteristics of the pancreas and body composition in dogs, particularly the distribution of visceral abdominal fat. 

Dr Richard Woolley

BVetMed DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology) MRCVS

Dr Richard is the only specialist veterinary cardiologist in Victoria, and one of only a handful of registered specialist veterinary cardiologists in Australia.

Richard has many years of experience in cardiology and respiratory medicine of all animals, from mice to gorillas. He has worked in academia and in private practice, lectured extensively, and his present focus is on specialist cardiorespiratory medicine of dogs and cats.

Having graduated from the Royal Veterinary College London in 2002, Richard passed the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination in the same year. After graduation he completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Edinburgh, and then remained at Edinburgh University to complete a three-year cardiopulmonary residency, including one year working in the small animal internal medicine department.

Richard passed the first part of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine – Companion Animals diploma in 2006 and was employed as a veterinary cardiologist by the University of Edinburgh after completing his residency. During this time Richard also completed externships in the veterinary cardiology departments at Cornell and Florida Universities.

Richard’s professional interests and areas of publication include advanced echocardiography techniques, pimobendan in mitral valve disease, pacemaker implantation, balloon valvuloplasty, the use of Canine Ductal Occluders in PDAs and stem cell therapy.

In 2007 Richard came to Australia and has been working in Melbourne since then. That year he also passed the second part of his diploma and subsequently registered as a Veterinary Cardiology Specialist in Australia.

Dr Adrian Witham

BVSc MANZCVS GCUniTeach DipACVIM - Internal Medicine Specialist

After graduating from Melbourne University in 2000, Adrian worked in general practice for several years before heading to the UK to locum and then undertook a rotating internship at Liverpool University. Afterwards, Adrian completed a three-year medicine residency at Massey University, New Zealand, staying on as a Senior lecturer in Veterinary  E-Learning.

Adrian is an American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine board-certified Diplomate and Specialist in Small Animal Medicine with extensive clinical and teaching experience. In 2010 Adrian returned to Melbourne University as a Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine. He helped establish the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and delivered formal lectures and workshops for students. He oversaw the clinical training of final-year veterinary students and veterinary medicine specialists in training while helping establish and grow the UVET referral hospital and caseload. Adrian ran UVET’s continuing education program, which provided training for veterinarians in general practice.

He is heavily involved with the Australian & New Zealand Veterinary College. He has acted as examiner for small animal medicine and feline examinations, Vice-President and President of the Small Animal Medicine Chapter, and Science Week Chapter convenor.

Adrian provides consultant teaching to Veterinary Students at Melbourne University, Massey University and Veterinary Nursing Students at Melbourne Polytechnic. He has authored multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and spoken at international conferences.

Adrian brings a wealth of clinical experience and expertise to Greencross Veterinary Hospital. Adrian is interested in all aspects of small animal medicine. Adrian is passionate about providing compassionate, best-practice care for pets, their owners and referring veterinarians.

Outside work, he enjoys time with his children and is an avid ice-hockey player. Adrian is a pet parent to a rescue cat called Niko and a senior Griffon named Elmo.   

Dr Alex Hamilton

BA, VetMB, MRCVS - Neurology Registrar

Dr Sam Long

BVSc PhD DipECVN – Neurology Specialist

Dr Long graduated from Melbourne University before undergoing his residency and specialist training in Glasgow in the UK.  Following his specialist training he undertook a PhD in canine brain cancer before moving to the United States to take up a position as head of the Section of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Veterinary Hospital.  In 2008 Dr Long returned to Melbourne to establish the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital’s first ever Neurology clinical service and specialist training programme.

Dr Long left the University in 2017 to join CARE and establish Melbourne’s first private referral neurology service and in 2020 moved to VRH in Dandenong.  He supervises the training of one resident and one registrar.  His research interests are in the field of brain tumours, canine epilepsy, canine spinal cord trauma and canine degenerative myelopathy.  Dr Long as authored more than 30 papers and two book chapters.

Dr Phanuel Mponda

MANZCVS(Surg,Rad) MRCVS, MBA – Surgery Registrar

Phanuel has been in practice for several years with extended stints across three continents i.e. South Africa , UK and Australia. With a natural fascination for numbers Phanuel completed a Master of Business majoring in Finance with a special interest in bond and equities markets with the University of Leicester in the UK. Additionally, he has attained membership with the Australia and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists for both the Surgery and Radiology Chapters by examination.

After working in general practice in Melbourne for a few years , Phanuel moved to Sydney to completed an internship and a residency in small animal surgery at the University of Sydney. Phanuel is interested in all aspects of small animal surgery and will be preparing for board examination for both the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and fellowship examinations with the Australia and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.

Outside work , Phanuel is a father of three sons and enjoys playing   golf and watching cricket ,rugby and football( soccer).

Dr Tesh Smalle

BSc, BVSc (Hons), MMedVet (Small animal surgery), MANZCVS (Small animal surgery), Graduate Certificate in Clinical Teaching - Staff Surgeon

Tesh graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Pretoria in 2009. After volunteering as a veterinarian in India, she returned to South Africa where she completed a residency training program in small animal surgery at the University of Pretoria. She was awarded a Masters of Veterinary Medicine in Small Animal Surgery in 2017 and is registered as a veterinary specialist in small animal surgery with the South African Veterinary Council. 

In 2017, she relocated to Australia, with her husband and fur-child, to pursue her passion for clinical teaching of veterinary students.  After some time in sunny Queensland, working with the final year veterinary students at UQ-VETS small animal hospital, they made the move to Victoria.  Tesh joined the University of Melbourne as a Lecturer in the U-Vet animal hospital small animal surgery service in 2018. During this time, she offered referral level services in small animal surgery to the surrounding community whilst working with final year veterinary students on their clinical rotations.  Tesh has conducted research, published and lectured in the fields of laryngeal paralysis and gall bladder disease in dogs.  She has a particularly keen interest in intricate soft tissue surgery and loves the puzzle of reconstructive skin surgery. She also has an interest in minimally invasive surgical techniques such as laparoscopy and thoracoscopy. She understands that surgical treatment can be stressful for owners and is passionate about helping them (and their fur-child) through this time.  She has worked in referral level veterinary practice for more than 10 years.

When not in theatre, Tesh enjoys cooking, gardening, hiking, and goofing around with her 2 fur-children, Hershey and Melindros.