What is Veterinary Internal Medicine?

Mark qualified from Cambridge in 1997 and spent time in both mixed and small animal practice. He began a residency in small animal medicine at the University of Liverpool in 2000 but interrupted this to undertake a PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge investigating the use of MRI to monitor the outcome of novel therapies for multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury in humans. Following the completion of his PhD, Mark completed a residency in Small Animal Medicine at Cambridge. Mark then spent four years in private specialist practice in the south of England before moving to Nottingham Vet School as Clinical Associate Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine. Mark was responsible for running the final year medicine rotation along with lecturing to all years of the veterinary course. He was responsible for the school’s small animal intern and residency programmes in addition to supervising both undergraduate and postgraduate research students. Mark holds the European Diploma in Small Animal Internal Medicine and is an RCVS and EBVS® recognised specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine.

Mark remains actively involved in both undergraduate and post-graduate teaching via his ongoing role as Professor of Small Animal internal medicine at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham. Mark remains research active both within the school and with national and international collaborators. These projects include investigations into canine breed-related diseases, canine cancer, canine and feline haematology, canine endocrine disease, how owners and vets make clinical decisions and the development of novel non-invasive biomarkers to help diagnose both simple and complex medical diseases in both primary care and referral settings. Mark lectures both nationally and internationally and has published widely in the field of veterinary medicine.

Mark has a broad interest in internal medicine but particularly enjoys the challenges posed by gastrointestinal, endocrine, haematology and renal medicine. Mark is excited to be joining the outstanding team at Willows and being able to provide both exceptional and compassionate care for the cats and dogs and their owners attending the clinic; along with providing an outstanding service to the referring veterinary surgeons. He particularly hopes to see lots of Norwegian Forest cats and Irish Wolfhounds, his absolute favourites!

Kirsty graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon from the University of Bristol in 2000. She spent five years working in small animal practice in London and Northampton, where she developed an interest in canine and feline internal medicine. In 2005 she completed a Junior Clinical Fellowship in Internal Medicine at The Animal Health Trust in Newmarket and obtained the Royal College Certificate in Small Animal Medicine. Following this Kirsty completed a three year residency at The Royal Veterinary College in London and gained Diplomas of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She is an RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Medicine and has worked at The Willows since 2009.

Kirsty enjoys both the challenge of the Internal Medicine discipline, and also the care element of her role with the seriously ill animals that she treats. She is particularly interested in endocrinology and gastroenterology. Kirsty very much enjoys being part of the top-notch team of multi-disciplinary specialists at Willows, and contributing to the high level of support and expert care provided for her patients, their owners and the referring veterinary surgeons who use Willows’ service.

Outside of work Kirsty has two young children who keep her entertained and on the go!

Fergus graduated from the University of Bristol in 2004. He spent six years working in a mixed practice in Worcestershire. A keen interest in all things medical motivated Fergus to pursue the Royal College Certificate in Small Animal Medicine. He then spent three years undertaking a medicine residency at the University of Liege in Belgium studying for and, later gaining, the Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Fergus is currently the chairman of the Small Animal Medicine Society (SAMSoc) and has been involved in the PROTECT ME initiative to encourage rational antibiotic use in small animal patients. He is currently editing the next edition of the BSAVA formulary. His particular interests include gall bladder disease (especially mucocoeles in Border Terriers), canine sinonasal aspergillosis, haematology, immune-mediated disease and antibiotic stewardship.

Fergus has a cat called Spartacus and a stick insect called Clive.

Bryn graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2014, and following this spent four years in a small animal hospital in Southwest Wales. It was during this time that he developed a passion for Medicine, which led him to undertake a Certificate alongside his job. Keen to expand this enthusiasm further, Bryn embarked first on an internship at the Royal Veterinary College, followed by a residency in small animal internal medicine at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, which he completed in 2022. Bryn has a strong interest in all aspects of Internal Medicine, and has a particular focus on gastrointestinal and hepatic disease.

Outside of work, Bryn likes to spend time visiting his friends across the country and following sport, particularly his beloved Wales and West Ham. He lives with his partner and a very spoilt, ageing cat, and they plan to continue exploring this country and others. Bryn’s other interests include history, wargaming and cosy pubs.

Cameron graduated from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, in 2017. Upon graduation, he spent three years working in a busy small animal practice where he did his fair share of spays, castrations, dental and even some orthopaedics. He decided that small animal medicine was definitely where his interests lay during this time.

Cameron then spent a year in Scotland doing a rotating internship. During this time, he also obtained his Masters in Small Animal Medicine, focusing on the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudinteremedius in dogs with skin and ear infections. He is currently enrolled in an advanced practitioner certificate in small animal internal medicine. 

In November 2021, Cameron joined Willows to pursue his goal of completing specialist training in Small Animal Medicine, particularly enjoying endocrinology, infectious disease and antibiotic stewardship. 

At home, he lives with two obstinate but very well-loved Golden Retrievers, Lily and Finley. 

Lucy graduated from Cambridge University in 2018, and spent three and a half years working in two busy small animal practices in Bedfordshire and Staffordshire. During this time, she developed an interest in internal medicine, which led her to join Willows in 2022 as a rotating intern to gain further experience in emergency and routine cases.

Following the completion of her rotating internship, Lucy spent some time at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists as a medicine intern before re-joining Willows in 2023 to pursue further training as an internal medicine resident.

When not at work, Lucy enjoys hiking, baking and spending time with her two rescue cats, Jack and Pippa.

Jess graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2015, and went on to work in a busy small animal hospital in London where she developed a keen interest in small animal internal medicine and completed a post graduate certificate through the University of Liverpool.

Jess completed a rotating internship at Southfields Veterinary Specialists in 2021, followed by an internal medicine internship at London Vet Specialists in 2022. Following her internship she joined the Willows Internal Medicine team in November 2023 to pursue further training as an internal medicine resident.

When not at work Jess enjoys long distance running and yoga classes.