Meet the team
Professor Ken Hinchcliff
BVSc, MSc, PhD
Dean of Veterinary Science
Professor Ken Hinchcliff was appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne in 2007. He joined the University from the Ohio State University, where he was the Head of Equine Medicine and Surgery.
Professor Hinchcliff graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1980 with Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree. He earned a Master of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1987 and a PhD from the Ohio State University in 1990.
Professor Hinchcliff is internationally recognised as a scholar of veterinary internal medicine and exercise physiology. He has extensive experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students, conducting research into exercise-related conditions in horses, dogs, and humans, and providing high-level medical care to sick and injured foals and horses.
Dr R Chris Whitton
BVSc, PhD, FACVSc
Head of the Equine Centre
Associate Professor of Equine Medicine and Surgery
Specialist in Equine Surgery
Chris coordinates the equine scintigraphy service and works as a specialist equine surgeon in the hospital. He began working at the Equine Centre in November 2004. Chris trained as a specialist at the University of Sydney and completed his PhD before moving to work with Dr Sue Dyson at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, England, a world leader in lameness investigation and imaging. He ran his own referral practice and scintigraphy unit at the Newcastle Equine Centre.
Chris has lectured and published extensively on lameness matters. His current research interests are in prevention and diagnosis of injury in performance horses.
Dr CM (Cate) Steel
(nee Colbourne) BVSc, FACVSc
Associate Professor of Equine Medicine and Surgery
Specialist in Equine Surgery
Cate graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1987, and then trained as a specialist at Murdoch University and Michigan State University, USA. Cate became a Fellow of the ACVSc in Equine Surgery in 1997. That is, specialist in equine surgery. She has been the official veterinarian at many race meetings and endurance rides in WA.
Cate then spent three years as a senior veterinarian at the Singapore Turf Club before heading to the USA for 18 months to work as an equine surgeon at UC Davis and Michigan State University. Her current research includes the molecular basis of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy.
Dr Brett Tennent-Brown
BVSc, MS, ACVIM, ACVECC
Senior Lecturer in Equine Medicine
Following the completion of a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from Massey University, New Zealand, Brett continued his postgraduate training with a one year internship at Randwick Equine Centre, Sydney, before returning to New Zealand and working in mixed large animal practice.
Brett then travelled to the United States to continue his professional training with a residency in large animal medicine (equine emphasis) at the University of Illinois followed by a fellowship in large animal emergency and critical care at the University of Pennsylvania. During this time, Brett also completed a Master of Science (Veterinary Clinical Medicine).
Prior to joining the Faculty, Brett was at the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine, where he was primarily involved in didactic and clinical training of senior veterinary students and interns and residents. He also performed research in clinical monitoring and the role of inflammation in equine colitis.
Brett's current interests include monitoring the critical patient and the role of inflammation in equine diseases.
Dr Sally Church
BVSc (Hons), FACVSc (Equine Medicine)
Senior Lecturer in Equine Medicine and Surgery
Sally commenced as an equine clinical registrar at the Equine Centre in 1987. She had previously been employed by the Rural Veterinary Centre at Camden at The University of Sydney; the University of Liverpool, UK; and the University of Queensland. Sally has her fellowships in Equine Medicine. She is a world class lecturer, and has run the veterinary senior student lecture format for many years.
Dr Charles El-Hage
BVSc, MACVSc
Lecturer in Veterinary Clinical Medicine and Surgery
Following graduation, Charlie commenced employment in Noorat at a mixed practice in Victoria's western districts, followed by work in England and Wales for 18 months.
Charlie returned to Australia to work in an equine practice in Benalla, north eastern Victoria, and was a partner until 2001. He then commenced employment at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre where he worked as a clinician for three years before becoming a District Veterinary Officer in Geelong and in an ambulatory equine practice.
Charlie returned to the University of Melbourne in 2006.
His research interests and fields of expertise include reproduction of horses and cattle, immunology and virological infections of horses and Australian Stringhalt.
Charlie is currently researching the immunological and virological consequences of the 2007 Australian Equine Influenza outbreak.
Dr Liz Walmsley
BVSc, MACVSc, MRCVS, FANZCVS (Equine Surgery)
Lecturer in Equine Surgery
Following graduation from the University of Liverpool (UK) in 2005, Liz commenced a twelve month internship in equine surgery, at Scone Veterinary Hospital, NSW. This appointment was extended for a further six months prior to Liz's appointment as a resident in equine surgery, supervised by Dr's Cate Steel and Chris Whitton at the University of Melbourne.
Liz completed her residency training in 2010 and will sit for Fellowship examination in equine surgery in 2012.
Liz is currently undertaking research to complete a clinical masters that aims to identify changes in gene expression in laryngeal muscle of horses with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy.
Dr Andrew Turner
BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Equine Surgery), FANZCVS (Veterinary Ophthalmology)
Ophthalmology Consultant
Dr Andrew Turner graduated with honours from the University of Melbourne in 1973. In 1988, after working in mixed and equine practice for 20 years, Andrew became a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Equine Surgery.
In 1994, Andrew commenced a residency program in Veterinary Ophthalmology with Dr Rowan Blogg, the founder of Veterinary Ophthalmology in Australia. In 1997, Andrew became a Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Veterinary Ophthalmology.
A registered specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology, Andrew is a partner in All Animal Eye Services – a clinic dedicated solely to Veterinary Ophthalmology.
Dr Simon Hurn
BVSc (Hons), MVS, MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery), FANZCVS (Veterinary Ophthalmology)
Ophthalmology Consultant
Dr Simon Hurn graduated with honours from the University of Queensland in 1998. Shortly after graduation, Simon undertook internships in Veterinary Anaesthesia, Small Animal Medicine and Small Animal Surgery at the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital. In 2002, Simon became a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Small Animal Surgery.
In 2003, Simon completed a Masters of Veterinary Studies from the University of Melbourne and in 2006, became a fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Veterinary Ophthalmology, after completing a residency program in Veterinary Ophthalmology with Dr Andrew Turner.
Dr Lucy Cudmore
BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Equine Medicine)
Equine Medicine Resident
Dr Lucy Cudmore joins the Faculty of Veterinary Science from the Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital, where she worked for 12 months as an equine intern.
Originally from rural Queensland where her family manages a cattle grazing property and feedlot, she completed her veterinary science studies at the University of Queensland in 2008.
Through her experiences at the Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital, Lucy has developed a strong passion for equine veterinary medicine, and has a particular interest in neonatal and foal medicine.
Outside of work, Lucy has competed in eventing with her horse, Bear, and is a keen netballer, runner and Wallabies supporter.
Dr Josephine Holmes
BSc, BVMS
Equine Surgery Resident
Originally from Tasmania, Dr Josephine Holmes moved to Perth in 2000 to undertake undergraduate veterinary science studies. After graduating she moved to Queensland, taking up a position at the Killarney Veterinary Surgery, a rural practice with a mix of equine, small animal and cattle work.
Gradually shifting further down the eastern seaboard, Josie made the move to 100% equine practice in 2007 when she undertook an internship at Agnes Banks Equine Clinic in the Hawkesbury Valley. She worked at the Barwon Equine Hospital in Geelong for 12 months before taking on several locum positions across Australia and New Zealand.
Josie’s interest in horse surgery stems from a competition background in eventing. She was recently listed as a FEI veterinarian, enabling her to officiate as a veterinary delegate in international equestrian competitions.
She hopes eventually to return to Tasmania to own or become a partner in an equine surgical practice.
Dr Stacey Sullivan
BVSc (Hons), MACVSc
Resident in Equine Medicine
Stacey Sullivan graduated from the University of Queensland in 2004. She completed an internship at Oakey Veterinary Hospital in 2007. Stacey became a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in 2008. She then travelled to the UK in 2009 to work as a medicine clinician at Rosedale's Equine Hospital in Newmarket before returning to Oakey to continue working as a hospital clinician.
Stacey joined the Equine Centre in 2011 as an Equine Medicine Resident and she has particular interests in neonatal intensive care and cardiology.
Dr Maxwell Hall
BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Equine Surgery)
Resident in Equine Surgery
Maxwell graduated from the University of Queensland in 2007. He commenced an internship and his ECVs and FACVs training at Goulburn Valley Equine hospital in 2009. Maxwell travelled and worked in Ireland in 2010 and joined the Equine Centre in 2011 where he will now continue and complete his training.
Maxwell has a particular surgical interest in Orthopaedics.
Outside of work Maxwell enjoys playing rugby, keeping fit and spending time with his dog Teddy Bear.
Lynette Jackson
Senior Equine Nurse
Lynette joined the Equine Centre in December 2006 and took on the position of Senior Equine Nurse in May 2008.
Prior to moving to Melbourne, Lynette was an intensive care nurse in the Equine Intensive Care Unit at Scone Veterinary Hospital, New South Wales.
Lynette graduated from a degree in Applied Science (Animal Studies) at the University of Queensland in 2001, and has since completed Certificate III in Equine Nursing and Certificate IV in Equine Nursing. Originally from Brisbane, she has also travelled overseas, working for 18 months at a large breeding centre for horses in Texas followed by six months in Ireland in a mare and foal barn.
Krystle Lee Mills
Equine Veterinary Nurse (Second in charge)
Krystle joined the University of Melbourne in January 2008. She studied at the National Center for Equine Education in Wangaratta over the course of 7 years, attending both full time and part time courses.
During the Diploma of Equine Management Krystle was awarded the Irish National Stud Scholorship to study for 6 months in Kildare, Ireland in 2003.
Krystle was employed at the Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital for a period of 3 years, and completed an 18 month nursing internship in Florida, USA, at a large Equine Private Practice in 2006, working in Neonatal Intensive Care and Diagnostic Imaging.
Sally Benn
Equine Veterinary Nurse
After completing her VCE in 2000, Sally studied at the National Centre for Equine Education in Wangaratta, completing a Diploma of Equine Management. Since then she has held positions at a number of Thoroughbred studs in the Hunter Valley. Most recently Sally held a long term managerial position at Arrowfield Stud. While working at Arrowfield Sally completed a Certificate III in Equine Nursing and was awarded the Scone Veterinary Hospital Nursing Scholarship in 2004. This scholarship gave Sally the opportunity to travel to Lexington, Kentucky where she worked as an ICU neonatal nurse at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.
Sally commenced working at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre in June 2009 and is currently studying to complete Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
Debra Brown
Receptionist
Debra first joined the Veterinary Hospital team working on the small animal reception in 1988. She moved to reception duties in the Equine Centre in 2007 and has not looked back. Outside of work Debra is married with three lovely children, she enjoys swimming and loves her dog Ax.