Professor Dick White: Consultant Surgical Specialist

BVetMed PhD DSAS DVR FRCVS

• Special Professor of Small Animal Surgery, University of Nottingham
• Diplomate, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, European College of Veterinary Surgeons in Small Animal Surgery
• Diplomate, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in Veterinary Radiology
• RCVS-Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
• RCVS-Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Oncology (Surgical Oncology)

Founder and Practice Principal

Hello, I am Dick White - the founder and principal of our specialist centre. I am regarded as one of Europe's leading small animal soft tissue and cancer surgeons. During a 25 year university career I taught surgery to more than 1500 veterinary surgeons - this means that today about 10% of all vets working in the UK were taught how to operate by me.

I specialise in, and have wide experience of, all aspects of small animal 'soft tissue' surgery and I am an American, European and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery. I concentrate on ENT and respiratory surgery, reconstructive and abdominal surgery. I am also one of a small handful of RCVS Specialists in Veterinary Oncology in the country. I have recently been made an Honorary Member of the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology in recognition of the contributions I have made to the field of small animal cancer management. My primary interest in cancer management therefore lies in the surgical management of cancer but I also work closely with my colleagues here to combine surgery with other non-surgical anti-cancer treatments.

I have published many scientific papers and chapters in internationally-acknowledged textbooks; I am a founder and Past President of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons. As well as being the centre's principal clinician, I am also Special Professor of Small Animal Surgery at the University of Nottingham Veterinary School and I contribute to the undergraduate teaching programme there.

I have one cat and four dogs of my own - a wire-haired German pointer, two working Labrador retrievers and one border terrier. So more importantly than all my clinical experience, it is this that allows me to fully appreciate the huge role that animals play in our life!

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Pieter Nelissen: Soft Tissue Surgeon

DVM CertSAS MRCVS

Pieter is a Clinical Fellow in Small Animal Surgery. Having undertaken his training in Small Animal Surgery, completing his Residency in 2010, Pieter is sitting his Specialist examinations in 2013.

I qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon in 2001 from Ghent University in Belgium, after which I joined the staff at the University, completing an Internship in Small Animal Surgery. In September 2003, I joined a small animal practice in the UK, in which I was in charge of Small Animal Surgery for 3 ½ years. During this time I gained the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery. In February 2007, I joined Dick White Referrals, initially working as an Intern, a role in which I worked closely with the Specialist Small Animal Surgeons, prior to commencing a three year Residency training in Small Animal Surgery, which I completed in 2010.

In 2011, I was appointed as a Clinical Fellow in Small Animal Surgery. I spend the majority of my time in the clinic treating Soft Tissue cases but I continue to maintain my interest in Orthopaedics by spending time in the Orthopaedic clinic too. I enjoy all aspects of surgery and I am especially interested in Soft Tissue Surgery with particular focus on minimally invasive surgery.

Outside work, I enjoy mountaineering, climbing, skiing and walking. I have a lovely English Springer spaniel called 'Julie' who has had more than her fair share of surgery in her life, following various accidents and incidents but Julie continues to be a very active girl, accompanying me on our walking trips.

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Nicolas Woodbridge: ECVS Resident in Small Animal Surgery

BVetMed, MRCVS

• European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS)-approved Resident in Specialist training

I graduated from The Royal Veterinary College (RVC), London and I subsequently completed a one year rotating small animal internship, working in all the small animal medical and surgical disciplines at the RVC, under Veterinary Specialist supervision. In 2008, I moved to Oxfordshire where I worked as the principal small animal surgeon for several of the branches of a substantial small animal veterinary group of practices.

In September 2010 I joined Dick White Referrals as a Resident in Small Animal Surgery, a position in which I am also enrolled on a Masters Programme at the University of Nottingham. I am interested in several areas of clinical research including: The treatment of cranial cruciate ligament disease; canine elbow disease, novel treatment techniques in orthopaedics; and ear disease in cats.

I own a seven year old black Labrador called Shadow and when I can make any spare time, I like competing in triathlons.

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Stefania Martinoli: ECVS Resident in Small Animal Surgery

DVM MRCVS

• European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS)-approved Resident in Specialist training

I graduated from the  University of Milan in 2005 afterwhich I undertook a four month rotating discipline scholarship in Small Animal Clinic at the Veterinary University of Maison Alfort ( Paris).

After a three month trip to Africa working with wild animals and a three month externship in a referral hospital in Sydney, Australia.

I spent a year back at home working in both small animal and equine clinics. In order to achieve my goal of becoming a Small Animal Surgical Specialist, I visited several veterinary clinics in the UK and I gained an Internship at Dick White Referrals.

Following the completion of my Internship, I spent two years as an assistant to two Specialist surgeons in a referral hospital in Switzerland prior to starting my own Specialist Surgery training as a Resident in Small Animal Surgery at Dick White Referrals.

I am the owner of a lovely German Shepherd cross who lives in Italy with my parents with my two cats and my turtle. In the UK with me is my Arabian horse, with whom I enjoy endurance riding.

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Tonje Trinterud: Intern Veterinary Surgeon, Orthopaedics

DVM MRCVS

My name is Tonje and I am from Norway. I undertook my veterinary training in Budapest, Hungary and I graduated from the Szent Istvan University, Faculty of Veterinary Science in 2005. After my graduation I came to the UK and I completed an internship at Croft Veterinary Hospital in Northumberland. I extended my stay for a further six months at this busy veterinary hospital in order to gain additional experience working as a first opinion veterinary surgeon before I moved down to East Anglia to work in a lovely first opinion practice in Ipswich.

I have always had a special interest in small animal surgery and after another four years in Ipswich, I decided it was time to pursue my dream of specialising in small animal surgery. In October 2011 I started a small animal Surgical Internship at Dick White Referrals.

At home, I love spending time with my boyfriend and our beautiful animals. I am the proud owner of a Border collie, a Chihuahua, three cats (including two gorgeous Maine Coons) and a tortoise. I enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities, particularly running, sailing and skiing!

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Emma Clifforde: Head Theatre Nurse

Dip HE, CVN, Dip. AVN, RVN

I joined Dick White Referrals in September 2007. Previously I worked in general practice for 11 years and qualified in 2000. My main interests include anaesthesia and general surgical nursing. I am responsible for the running of the operating theatre.

Outside work I enjoy socialising, spinning and walking my dog Rocky. While working at Dick White Referrals, I have gained the H E Diploma in Clinical Veterinary Nursing in conjunction with the RCVS Advanced Diploma.

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Sally Elms: Theatre Nurse

RVN

I qualified in 1999 and joined the Theatre Nursing team at Dick White Referrals in October 2010. I began my career in small animal practice before moving to a large referral centre in Manchester where I became interested in the surgical aspects of veterinary nursing. After three years in Manchester, I moved back South to work in orthopaedic and multi-discipline referral centres. Prior to becoming a veterinary nurse, I worked on research and breeding programmes for dolphins in captivity.

My main passion in life is travelling which I has done extensively around the world. I have two rescue Staffies called Ty and Daisy, along with a cat called Cheeze.

Emma Foreman: Theatre Nurse

RVN

I qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2002 and I have been a veterinary nurse for 13 years now.  Over this time, I have experience of working in both mixed general veterinary practices and in referral centres and I joined DWR in 2011. I enjoy all aspects of nursing but I am particularly interested in surgical nursing.

I have a four year old little girl who keeps me very busy. I also have a JRT called Frankie and a guinea pig called Billie. Out of work, I enjoy socialising and running.

Donna Nicklin: Theatre Nurse

FdSc, RVN

I studied at the Royal Veterinary College and qualified in April 2010. I worked in general practice before joining Dick White Referrals in March 2011. I am fascinated by all aspects of surgical nursing.

Outside work I enjoy socialising with friends, cycling and baking. I have 3 cats called, Snap, Jumble and Princess along with four guinea pigs. I also volunteer with the local Girl Guides where I am training for my leadership qualification.

Helen North: Theatre Surgery Nurse

Dip. H.E.CVN. Dip.AVN. RVN

I joined Dick White Referrals in September 2007. After five years working in the horseracing industry, I trained as a small animal veterinary nurse in first opinion veterinary practice and qualified in 2006. Since working at DWR, I have completed the H.E Diploma in Clinical Veterinary Nursing in conjunction with the RCVS Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. I am interested in all aspects of theatre practice and surgical nursing, especially orthopaedics, minimally invasive surgery and anaesthesia.

Outside work I enjoy cycling, swimming, walking, and being entertained by my very naughty cat 'Bandit'.

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