Continuing Veterinary Education Events

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

 *Please note that program and times are subject to change*

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Dr Rebecca Nilsen BSc BVMS (Hons) MANZCVS (Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery) President Australian Veterinary Dental Society

Dr Rebecca Nilsen owns and operates The Smiling Pet Veterinary Dental Services and WAVES Dentistry. Rebecca graduated from Murdoch University in 2012, working in general practice and emergency medicine. It was during this time that Rebecca noted a need for improvement in veterinary dental care and in 2018 completed her memberships in Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Since 2018 Rebecca has worked exclusively in dentistry as a referral vet for more than 160 clinics in Perth and regional areas. Rebecca practices with the ethos that every animal deserves a pain free mouth. When not at work Rebecca enjoys spending time at the beach with her loveable rescue dog Libby, and catching up with family and friends.

Dr Tiarni Johnston BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (SAM)

In 2017, Dr Tiarni Johnston received her degree from The University of Queensland and went on to complete two internships in emergency/critical care and internal medicine. Following this, she worked in the emergency department of a bustling referral center located in Brisbane, Queensland. In 2022, Tiarni successfully passed the ANZCVS membership exams, and this year, in 2023, she began her residency in small animal internal medicine with WAVES.

Dr Meng Siak BVMS MANZCVS (Canine Medicine) FANZCVS (Veterinary Dermatology)

Dr Meng Siak graduated from Murdoch University in 2006. He spent a year in private practice before returning to Perth to pursue his dream. From 2008 to 2014, he underwent rigorous training, starting as an intern and then as a resident in Veterinary Dermatology. In 2014, his dedication and hard work paid off when he passed the examinations to become a Specialist Veterinary Dermatologist with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS).
In 2018, Meng established WAVES dermatology, reconnecting with former colleagues and friends. With the help of his peers, the dermatology clinic has flourished over the last six years, and is now a thriving dermatology service. Meng’s passion for continuing education is well known, having served as the Oceania/Asia representative for the Global Veterinary Dermatology Education Group (GVDEG), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing continued education in underserved countries around the world, from 2018 to 2022. In addition, he has also been invited to speak at national and international conferences, including WSAVA 2018 and World Congress Vet Dermatology 2020, cementing his reputation as an expert in his field.

Dr Troy Bunn BVSc MVetClinStud GradDip

Dr Troy Bunn graduated from James Cook University, QLD in 2015 before moving to Perth, Western Australia to complete a rotating internship in Medicine, Oncology and Emergency and Critical Care. In 2017, he entered small animal general practice but after 12 months, realised his passion lied in Small Animal Internal Medicine. Troy commenced a Medicine internship at Murdoch University in 2018 which progressed to a residency. He completed two years of his residency at Murdoch University before completing his training at the Western Australian Veterinary Emergency and Specialty (WAVES) hospital. Troy finished his residency at the beginning of 2022 and is working at WAVES as a Medicine registrar as he prepares to sit his specialist examinations.

Dr Kathrin Langner MA VetMb MBM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

Dr Kathrin Langner completed her veterinary degree at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover, Germany. Subsequently, she followed her fascination for immunology and completed a doctorate in allergic dermatitis in horses. She continued to work in the field of veterinary immunology as a lecturer and postdoctoral researcher at the United States Department of Agriculture in Laramie, Wyoming USA and at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover. After becoming increasingly involved in the diagnosis and treatment of pets owned by family and friends, Kathrin decided to combine her love for immunology with small animal internal medicine and completed a three-year training program at the Small Animal Hospital at the University of Hannover.

After obtaining specialist status in 2015, Kathrin exchanged the cold weather in northern Germany for the warm and sunny climate in Perth. After working for 6 years at The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University Kathrin joined the medicine team at WAVES in 2021. Her main interests are hematology, infectious diseases and endocrinology. Kathrin also enjoys postgraduate teaching and continues to pursue research, mainly in the field of Cushing’s syndrome in dogs.

Dr Mariano Makara Dr.Med.Vet DipECVDI

Dr Mariano Makara is a European boarded radiologist with more than 10 years of experience in diagnostic imaging. Mariano graduated from University of La Plata, Argentina. He completed a residency program at the University of Zurich in Switzerland and became boarded with the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging in March 2010. Mariano was the Senior Lecturer in Diagnostic Imagining at the University of Sydney and moved to Perth in 2023 to join our WAVES team. Mariano loves the Perth climate and enjoys cycling and sailing. He has a very cute poodle cross named Mona.

Dr Ellie Drynan BVSc MANZCVS DACVAA

Dr Ellie Drynan graduated from the University of Sydney in 2002. Following graduation she worked in both mixed and small animal practice in Melbourne, London and then back here in Perth. In 2007 she commenced an anaesthesia residency at Murdoch University and in 2013 obtained her Diplomate of Anaesthesia and Analgesia. In 2017 she joined the WAVES family providing an anaesthesia service for all animals but particularly for the critically-ill patients.

Dr Leon Warne BSc(Biol) BBiomedSc(HonsI) BSc BVMS MVS MANZCVS(Anaesthesia) DACVAA PhD 

Dr Leon Warne holds qualifications and expertise across a range of fields including biological, veterinary and medical sciences, higher education, pain research, anaesthesia and pharmaceutical R&D.

Leon is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, an adjunct professor at Murdoch University and senior research fellow at Curtin University. His current research focuses on examining the efficacy of medicinal cannabis across multiple species; the use of Quality of Life as a primary outcome measure for chronic disease; and the development of management strategies for complex pain disorders.

His clinical interests are assessment and management of pain, intravenous fluid therapy and perioperative management of multi-trauma patients.

Leon foundered The Vet Pharmacist in 2022 with a group of likeminded clinical specialists. Their aim is to improve the quality of life of patients by supplying quality cannabis medicines and education to veterinarian across Australia.

Team Emergency and Crticial Care Interns 2024 – Drs Ryan Ong, Madeline Bord, Pip Hogan, Georgia Graham

Uncle Ryan and Aunties Maddy, Pip and Georgia are part of team ECC – giving your clients a helping hand when you can’t be there. Quiet achievers in life, our goal for 2024 is simple – to figure out if egg fried rice is nutritionally balanced and how best to administer via nasogastric tube.

Our journey isn’t just about professional pursuits; it’s also about weaving the threads of our shared experiences into a tapestry of stories. Maybe, just maybe, after we’ve conquered the challenges of our internship, we’ll put pen to paper and craft our combined memoirs on Tik Tok to challenge the might of Uncle Roger.

Team ECC is not just about providing support – we’re about adding flavor, both figuratively and literally, to the world of veterinary care. Think of us as new romantics…learning to build castles out of all the bricks they throw at us….and every night with us is like a dream.

Dr Jonathan Wood BVSc GP Cert (Ophthal) MRCVS MANZCVS (Small Animal Medicine)

Dr Jonathan Wood graduated from Sydney University in 2006 and travelled to the United Kingdom shortly after graduation. Jonathan worked as a small animal vet in the UK in a busy mixed practice on the Isle of Wight. Since referral practices were on the mainland, he set about learning as much about ophthalmology as he could. In 2011, he passed a post-graduate examination in Veterinary Ophthalmology. 

In 2012, Jonathan returned to Australia, settled in Western Australia, and has been involved in ophthalmology since then.  

Jonathan joined Perth Animal Eye Hospital in 2021, completing a residency in Veterinary Ophthalmology. In 2023, he was admitted as a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists after passing the Small Animal Medicine examination. He has a keen interest in retinal diseases and the management of glaucoma.

Jonathan currently works at Perth Animal Eye Hospital as an Ophthalmology Registrar

Dr William Gow BSc BVMS DVSc DipACVP (Clin Path) 

Dr William Gow graduated from Murdoch University with a Bachelor of Science, and a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery in 2009. After this, he went on to work in a small animal general practice in Perth, WA, for two years.

William commenced his residency in Veterinary Clinical Pathology in 2012 at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph in Canada. He also completed a research project and written thesis investigating circulating microRNA profiles in dogs with multicentric lymphoma and was awarded a Doctor of Veterinary Science (DVSc) degree. In 2015, William joined IDEXX as a Clinical Pathologist after completing his residency. In 2018, William achieved his board certification for Clinical Pathology with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP).

William’s areas of professional interest include cytopathology, haematopathology and bone marrow pathology, including haematopoietic neoplasms. He also enjoys helping clients with complicated cases.

Dr Aaron Moles BVSc BSc(Vet) MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery) DipECVS

Dr Aaron Moles embarked on his journey by obtaining his veterinary degree from the University of Sydney in 1994. After migrating north to the sunny
shores of Queensland, he started work at Oakey Flat Road Veterinary Surgery in Morayfield and took ownership soon after. Over the next eleven years he went from living above the premises of his practice and doing the hard slog of single person practice to building a successful three veterinarian general practice.
Driven by his passion for surgery, Aaron sought to further specialize in the field. In 2005, he became a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists through examination in Small Animal Surgery. Seeking to improve his skills further, he commenced a residency in surgery at Murdoch University.
His dedication and pursuit of excellence lead to attainment of the status of a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons. With his extensive knowledge and expertise, Aaron founded a WAVES mobile surgical service in collaboration with general practices throughout Western Australia, providing specialized surgical care to a wide range of patients. This mobile surgical service has evolved into the WAVES Hospital today — a multidisciplinary specialist and emergency hospital in Perth, Western Australia.

Dr Brett de Bruyn BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery) GradDipEd MVetClinStud

Dr Brett de Bruyn graduated from Murdoch University in 2015. This was followed by small animal general practice work in Southwest WA for two years before travelling to the UK performing locum work in various small animal clinics. After getting sick of English weather, Brett returned to Australia to commence a surgical internship at WAVES in 2019. Brett was accepted as a member of the Surgical Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists through examination during this year. He subsequently undertook a 12-month speciality training program, followed by a three-year residency training program at Murdoch University completing a Master of Veterinary Clinical Studies. He is currently completing a research Masters in orthopaedic biomechanics. Brett enjoys the clinical management of orthopaedic cases as well as wound management and skin reconstruction. Outside of work, Brett is kept busy by a young family and an exuberant Border Collie!

Dr Leanne Twomey BSc BVMS(Hons) PhD DipACVP

Dr Leanne Twomey was born and raised in Perth and graduated with a BVMS from Murdoch University in 1996. Leanne spent two years in small animal practice, and then returned to Murdoch to complete a PhD in animal nutrition in 1999. Leanne then completed a 3-year residency program in clinical pathology at the University of Florida, which provided
training in all aspects of clinical pathology including haematology, biochemistry, cytology and serology. At the completion of the residency, Leanne sat and passed the 2005 ACVP board examinations in clinical pathology. Leanne joined Vetpath Laboratory Services in 2005 and has a particular interest in haematology and cytology. Outside of work, Leanne likes to read and enjoy life in Perth with her husband and two young sons

Dr Yoko Clinch BSc BVMS(Hons) MANZCVS (Vet Radiology and Vet Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation – Canine) CCRT ACRA Practitioner Member

Dr Yoko Clinch is a veterinarian who became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) by completing the internationally recognised Canine Rehabilitation Institute qualification in 2017,. In 2022, she gained membership by examination to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) in Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation – Canine. She graduated as a veterinarian from Murdoch University in Perth in 2004, and had previously gained membership by examination to the ANZCVS in Veterinary Radiology in 2009. In 2013, she purchased Roleystone Animal Hospital with a fellow veterinarian, and she operates her Veterinary Rehabilitation Services (VRS) from this facility.

She is passionate about rehabilitation therapies and how much they can improve pets’ lives in addition to conventional medical therapy.  Her passion for rehab has resulted in her establishing the newest chapter in the ANZCVS in Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2020! She is currently the President and Science Week Convener for this chapter and look forward to growing this field in Australia.

Jenni Andrews RVN

Jenni Andrews started nursing in mixed practice in 2012, but very quickly found a passion for emergency and intensive care cases. She has been working in the emergency department at WAVES since January 2014, and has completed her Diploma in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, and her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. She has a love for providing high standard care to her patients, and in teaching, training and sharing knowledge with other nurses. As head nurse at WAVES Emergency, she has committed herself to growing and nurturing the WAVES family.

Chantelle Alexander RVN

Chantelle Alexander, also known as Channy, began her veterinary journey in 2005 as a kennel hand at Kenwick Vet. Transitioning from general practice to Murdoch University in 2010, she found her true calling in Emergency and Critical Care nursing. With over a decade at WAVES, Channy continues to embrace her love for ECC alongside her WAVES family. Outside of work, she finds joy in her family, friends, and faithful Labrador companion, Tyson

GALA ARTISTS

Master of Ceremonies

Peter Rowsthorne

Introducing our Master of Ceremonies for the gala: Peter Rowsthorne, a seasoned entertainer, actor, and writer with extensive experience in hosting high-profile events. For over two decades, he has been a beloved presence on our screens, bringing laughter and joy to millions of viewers.

Peter began his career as a stand-up comic and writer, gaining recognition as a performer on The Comedy Company and appearing in various films and shows such as Crackers, The Gift, Bad Eggs, Take Away, Little Oberon, and Let the Blood Run Free. He is best known for his role as Brett Craig, patient husband of Kim, and for surviving 40 days in the jungle on the fourth season of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!

With his charming personality and impeccable wit, Peter is a household name in the entertainment industry. He is known for his quick thinking and ability to keep the audience engaged. We are honored to have him as our host and guide for a night of celebration and entertainment, and we’re sure he won’t be bringing his beloved Rottweiler Cujo along this time!

ACCOMODATION

The Pan Pacific 

To access a 15% discount on room rates, click on the link below.

Enjoy Exclusive Savings

The Novotel Perth Langley

To obtain the discounted rate, click here.

GALA ARTISTS

Coming soon