A leading animal hospital in Wiltshire has appointed an internal medicine consultant from its existing pool of experienced residents.
Michelle Walton-Clark joined Swindon-based Eastcott Veterinary Referrals, which is part of Linnaeus, in 2020, as their first resident in internal medicine.
Already armed with a wealth of experience in general practice, Michelle joined the programme with an innate thirst to expand her knowledge in the veterinary field and to offer pet owners a rounded offering in care and expertise.
After 26 months of intense training, in which she developed her clinical skills and knowledge in various fields including internal medicine, Michelle has now taken on a permanent role within the hospital and will continue seeing internal medicine cases and performing diagnostic work-ups.
With a passion for feline medicine and a qualification in feline medicine from the ANZCVS, supported by the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), Michelle says she hopes to continue building on the feline caseload at Eastcott and to develop the cat-friendly services the hospital offers.
Michelle said, “The residency programme at Eastcott has been spectacular and a real help to achieving a career path suited to how I want to treat patients every day.
“Of course, all residency programmes are challenging and intense, but the Eastcott team have been incredibly supportive and such a wonderful bunch to work alongside.
“It’s a difficult and demanding profession at times but everyone bands together and supports each other to make sure we do the best we can for the animals, their owners and our colleagues, and I’m thrilled to continue being a part of it.
“I am delighted to have achieved membership status in feline medicine and been enrolled into the ISFM Academy of Feline Practitioners. This is an advanced practitioner qualification in feline medicine and the examination covers all facets of feline medicine, dermatology, ophthalmology, nutrition and behaviour.”
Duncan Barnes, clinical director at Eastcott Veterinary Referrals, said, “Michelle has been an incredibly valued member of our residency programme and her passion and dedication to the role has shone through alongside her exceptional levels of patient care.
“We are thrilled she has accepted a permanent role at Eastcott; a true testament to the career path and growth opportunities our hospital has to offer. We look forward to working with her further as part of our growing internal medicine team.”
Eastcott offers specialist expert care in cardiology, dentistry, internal medicine, ophthalmology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oncology, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, laparoscopy, neurology, diagnostic imaging, CT and MRI, anaesthesia and analgesia and emergency and critical care.
For more information about Eastcott Referrals visit www.eastcottreferrals.co.uk or search for Eastcott Veterinary Referrals on social media.
