Our Intern Team
Established for over 12 years Willows’ team of highly skilled interns are all fully qualified Veterinary Surgeons. Throughout their one-year rotating internship programme Willows Interns have primary case responsibility through our Out of Hours Service, working alongside dedicated Emergency Vets.
Working together with our team of multidisciplinary Specialists and Residents Willows’ Interns care for critical patients in our Intensive Care Unit.
Kayal Patel
BVM BVS MRCVS
Ophthalmology Intern
Kayal graduated from the University of Nottingham in July 2020 and began working in a first opinion practice in north west Manchester before joining the Rotating Intern team at Willows in January 2023. During his time at university and in practice, he has developed a keen interest in ophthalmology and is looking forward to furthering his skillset in this area as an Ophthalmology Intern.
Kayal has a goldendoodle named Elton and in his spare time, he enjoys exercising and is a keen golfer. Kayal also enjoys both playing and following football.
Bijan Jalalian
MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
Bijan graduated from Ghent University in 2021. Originally from the Netherlands, he moved to Belgium for his studies before returning home to start an internship in a referral clinic. Upon completing this, Bijan went on to work as an emergency vet before coming to the UK to start a rotating internship at Willows.
Bijan is particularly interested in Anaesthesia as he is keen to make sure patients are as comfortable as possible during treatment, and he also enjoys the opportunity to work with a wide range of other specialities.
Outside of work Bijan is a keen gamer and enjoys playing video games with his friends, going to the gym and also has a long term love of track and field, having participated for over 13 years!
Ana Blanco Perez
MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
After graduating from Universidad de Santiago de Compostela in Spain in 2015, Ana went on to work as a Generalist Veterinary surgeon in a first opinion practice until 2020. She then completed a surgical internship at Anicura Valencia Sur (Valencia) before moving to the UK to further pursue her interest in surgery. After working for a year in a first opinion practice in the UK Ana joined Willow’s intern team in 2023.
Ana is particularly interested in Minimal Invasive Surgery and whilst she has no pets currently she is very much a cat person. Outside of the practice Ana enjoys reading, watching TV and painting.
Charlotte Ball
BVM BVS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
Charlotte graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2021 before moving back to her roots in Devon, working in a rural mixed practice. Here she gained a wealth of experience in ‘all creatures great and small.’
Charlotte joined Willows as a Rotating Intern in January 2024 and she looks forward to developing her skills in all disciplines. Charlotte is keen to further explore her interests in internal medicine and soft tissue surgery and has a particular affinity for working with feline patients.
Outside of work, Charlotte has a horse named Jingo and a cat named Albert. In her spare time she enjoys horse riding, going for long countryside walks with Albert and travelling the world.
Shu Min Chan
BSc DVM MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
Shu Min graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2019 as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduation, she worked in a busy first opinion practice in rural Victoria, which first sparked her interest in Emergency Medicine. She subsequently worked as an emergency vet at various referral hospitals in Melbourne before starting her rotating internship at Willows in the UK.
Whilst Shu Min enjoys all aspect of veterinary medicine, she is particularly interested in Emergency and Critical Care. She is excited to gain more skills and knowledge during her internship.
Outside of work, Shu Min enjoys going on hikes, and travelling as well as aerial arts.
Syn Yoo Choi
MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
Originally from South Korea, Syn Yoo graduated from the University of Warsaw, Poland in 2020. After graduation Syn Yoo completed a 2 year graduate programme at a first opinion practice in Birmingham before starting her internship at Willows.
Syn Yoo has a particular interest in Soft tissue Surgery but is also determined to learn and develop in all the disciplines to be a well-rounded clinician.
Outside of work Syn Yoo likes to exercise at the gym, go for a hike with friends, and crochet small toys.
Blanca Csorba
DrMedVet MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
Blanca graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest in February 2021 before working at a busy small animal practice in Hungary, where she gained experience and practical skills. After moving to the UK she completed a graduate program, where she developed an interest in Dentistry.
Whilst Blanca is looking forward to expand her skillset in Dentistry, she is excited to learn more about all the other fields of veterinary medicine at Willows during her internship.
In her spare time Blanca enjoys spending time with her two cats, hiking, reading, and she loves baking pastries.
Joe Jackson
BVM BVS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
Joe studied Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nottingham, graduating in July 2021. Since graduating, he has worked predominantly in small animal practice with some equine work before moving to a mixed practice in South Devon. Here Joe gained an affinity for small animal surgery and dentistry, before joining Willows to begin a rotating internship. Joe is looking forward to working with the many disciplines here at Willows.
At home, Joe has a cat called Albert, and in his spare time enjoys playing and following rugby.
Francisco Leao De Sa Coelho
MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
Francisco graduated from the University of Lisbon in 2021. In his final year he completed a traineeship in a Neurology referral centre in Portugal, writing his final master’s degree thesis about Canine Meningioma. Soon after graduating, he started to work in a Small Animal Practice in Rugby whilst completing a two-year graduate programme before starting a rotating internship at Willows.
Francisco has a particular interest in Neurology and is keen to undertake further training in the future to become a Specialist in this area.
Outside of work Francisco likes to cook and spend time with his cat, Saramago, who he plays fetch with. Francisco is also a sports enthusiast and enjoys playing tennis and padel with his friends.
Matija Mesko
DVM MRCVS
Small Animal Surgery Intern
Matija graduated from the University of Zagreb, Croatia in 2016, during his time in university he developed an interest in surgery and volunteered at Department for Surgery University of Zagreb for two years alongside busy student life.
After graduating, Matija continued to work in a surgical role at the University before moving to the UK in 2018 to work in a busy first opinion practice in Rugby.
Wanting to gain more experience in Emergency and Critical Care, Matija successfully completed the Vets Now Cutting Edge Programme in 2020 and worked as an ECC veterinarian in Swindon before starting his path towards gaining his ECVS Diploma, completing internships at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists and London Vet Specialists. Matija is also currently working towards a postgraduate certificate in Surgery with Harper Adams University and writing two scientific papers.
Matija enjoys all aspects of surgery from minimally invasive soft tissue surgery to complex fracture repair. In his spare time he likes to take care of his bonsai trees and aquarium, watching football and spending time outdoors on walks.