The Staff:
Dr. Paddy Todhunter BVSc MS Dip ACVS is our resident specialist equine surgeon. Paddy graduated from Sydney University in 1986 and then worked in mixed practice before commencing an equine internship at the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada) in 1991.He then undertook a Large Animal Surgical Residency and Masters Degree at Auburn University (Alabama, USA) from 1992-1995. This was followed by 12 months as a staff surgeon at Cornell University (New York State) USA. Paddy attained his specialist status via the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1997. Paddy joined our team in November 2004 after 6 years as an equine surgeon at the Scone Veterinary Hospital. Paddy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Newcastle Equine Centre.
Dr. Patrick Kelly BVSc graduated from Sydney University in 1985 and after working in mixed rural practice in Australia and the UK has been in equine veterinary practice in Newcastle since 1988.Working mostly from a base of Broadmeadow Racecourse, Patrick has a keen interest in equine sports medicine and performance and was the founder of the Newcastle Equine Centre in 1997.Patrick has enjoyed a long and successful association with not only the local thoroughbred and standardbred racehorse trainers but also the local pleasure horse community.
Dr.Cecilia Cortina di Favria DVM
Cecilia graduated from the University of Pise, Italy in 2002. After graduation she entered equine practice focusing on reproduction work in Thororughbreds and Standardbreds. After 2 years in equine practice she started a Diagnostic Imaging Internship at the University of Liege, Belgium. She came to Australia in 2005, working 2 breeding seasons at Arrowfield Stud in Scone. This was followed by a locum at Randwick Equine Centre taking yearling survey radiographs. After 15 months in mixed practice, she eventually joined the Newcastle Equine Centre at the beginning of 2009. Her professional interests include equine reproduction and diagnostic imaging.
Dr. Catriona MacKenzie BVMS MRCVS
Catriona comes from Fife in Scotland and is our reproduction vet for the 2011/12 season. She has worked at the best hospitals in the States and the UK and is a valuable addition to the team.
Nurses
Natalie Edwards
Natalie our head nurse has been with the hospital since its establishment 12 years ago. She started out doing the bookwork in the hospital before deciding to undertake the Certificate IV in Vet Nursing. Her partner is Ken Noble, a respected Broadmeadow Thoroughbred trainer. She counts her biggest accomplishment as being a mother to a precocious little girl, Taylor, who is very likely to be Australia’s next Gai Waterhouse...
Pia Sorensen-Kristensen
Pia hails from Denmark and came to Australia to work/study for a year but fell in love with Australia and has stayed on for 6 instead! She is a certified equine nurse and topped her class in both equine and foal studies at TAFE – an amazing achievement. Her gentle nature combined with her experience from working at various horse farms, she is highly competent at handling foals and younger horses. She divides her time between the Newcastle Equine Centre, working with Dr Doug Edlington (veterinary equine dentist) and caring for her Clydesdale X “Miss Madison”.
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