Our Team

Dr James Foster

Feline Medicine Specialist

BSc BVMS PhD FANZCVS

Dr James Foster is a graduate of Murdoch University who went on to complete a residency in Feline medicine and a PhD investigating feline thyroid disease, both at the University of Edinburgh. Upon returning to Australia and settling in Sydney, James acquired his specialist credentials in Feline Medicine in 2000 through the ANZCVS.

Whist Dr Foster's specialty by examination is in feline medicine, he is formally trained in both canine and feline medicine and has spent the majority of his career in private referral practice working with both species. He was a co-founding member of SASH in Sydney, and has recently decided to share his time working in the beautiful dry tropics of Townsville.

James enjoys all aspects of small animal internal medicine and critical care. His special interests include endocrine disorders, cardiorespiratory disease, and geriatric medicine. He particularly enjoys echocardiography, abdominal ultrasonography, and endoscopy. He has a strong interest in maintaining good mental health and well-being and is currently developing support services for veterinarians and veterinary nurses.

James is practical and approachable and enjoys discussing cases with referring veterinarians. He is passionate about teaching and mentorship, and looking forward to integrating with the local community.

Dr Ruth Sutcliffe

BVSc, MVSc MANZCVS

Senior Lecture Internal Medicine

Dr Sutcliffe holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Veterinary Studies in Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery from Murdoch University. She has Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in small animal medicine. Dr Sutcliffe is one of JCUVet’s academic clinicians who combines teaching internal medicine with clinical practice at JCUVet. Although not a specialist dermatologist, she enjoys dermatology and is particularly interested in cases with complex combinations of medical and dermatological problems.

Dr Brenton Gosztyla

BVSc, BBioMedSc, MANZCVS (Surgery)

Small Animal Surgeon

Dr Brenton Goszytla graduated James Cook University in 2012 where he studied his Bachelor in Biomedical Science and continued on to complete his degree in Veterinary Science.

Following graduation, Dr Brenton Gosztyla worked in general practice for 5 years where he developed an interest in orthopaedic surgery. In 2017, he was appointed to a position in referral surgery under the supervision of Dr Richard Mitchel, Dr Craig Thomson and Dr Jason Mouatt.

At home Brenton has a menagerie of animals he looks after including horses, dogs, cats, cows and goats.

Dr Melanie Dunkin

BVSC

General Practice Clinician

Dr. Melanie Dunkin graduated from James Cook University in 2016.

Having spent time at JCU Vet as a student during her degree, she began working as a GP veterinarian and has remained at JCU Vet ever since.

Melanie grew up in Papua New Guinea, where veterinarians are few and far between, and has come to appreciate the role vets can play in fostering community health and wellbeing.

Melanie enjoys teaching students and working with clients to understand how best to care for each pet in each unique situation. She has two cats and four chooks of her own.

Dr Dhanushka (Dhash) Jayakody-Perera

Bsc DVM

General Practice Clinician

Dr Dhash is a 2019 graduate from Murdoch University in Western Australia. Upon graduation Dhash started off in mixed practice in rural FNQ prior to taking some time to travel as a locum and then joining JCU Vet as a General Practice Veterinarian in Nov 2022.

With a keen interest in wildlife medicine, you will often Dhash dealing with the more unusual patients that present to JCU Vet. Dhash also has a keen interest in One Health and Small Animal Medicine. Outside of work you will find Dhash exploring Townsville with their partner and two dogs.

Dr Peita Kerkenezov

BAppSc (Vet Tech), BVSc (Hons)

General Practice Clinician

Dr Peita Kerkenezov graduated from the University of Queensland, firstly, with a Bachelor of Applied Science (veterinary technology), followed by a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 2011.

Peita has worked as a small animal general practice clinician in Launceston, Adelaide, Noosa and Darwin, before joining the team at JCU Vets in Townsville. She has also spent time working in Fiji. She enjoys all aspects of general practice, recently developing a keen interest in dermatology.

Outside of work, you’ll find her exploring new places with her husband, 1 year old son, and Jack Russell Terrier, Huey. She also enjoys practicing yoga, Pilates and swimming.

Dr Susan Chantelle Dunn

BVSc

General Practice Clinician

Dr Susan Chantelle Dunn completed a Zoology degree at JCU prior to doing veterinary science at JCU

She graduated in 2012 and worked at JCU Vet as a new grad, where she enjoyed working as part of the emergency team.

Dr Dunn then took a few years off to have children, before rejoining JCUVet in 2019

She is mum to two beautiful kids and a demon cat named Pixie. Pixie is a naughty torti, that was hand raised by one of the amazing nurses she worked with, so she has a bit of an identity crisis (doesn’t know she is a cat, and tends to behave more like a moody teenager)

Outside of her work and family, she enjoys playing soccer (or as most people call it, football), crafting, reading and watching movies.

Dr Gillian Fagan

BVSC

General Practice Clinician

Dr. Gillian graduated from Sydney University in 2010. After graduation she got lost in the Bermuda triangle for a while working as a vet on the Sunny isle. With no emergency or specialist practices on the island she benefited from exposure to a vast and varied caseload. Since being back in Australia she has enjoyed working as for two companion animal practices in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Dr. Gill has a special interest in medicine especially when it comes to cats, even the fiery ones! Others interests include pharmacology and physiotherapy. When not at work she enjoys diving, woodworking and chilling with her cats.

Dr Yukari Miyaki

BSc, BVSc, MSc, ACVAA

Specialist Veterinary Anaesthetist

Dr Miyake gained her Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree from the University of Sydney in the early 1990s before returning to Japan where she worked as a general practice veterinarian and researcher at the Small Animal Clinical Research Foundation in Tottori. In 1998 she returned to Australia where she was appointed Veterinary Registrar in Small Animal Anaesthesia at the Veterinary Centre at the University of Sydney.

In 2002 she relocated to the United States and undertook a combined Anaesthesia Residency/Master's degree program, achieving a Master of Clinical Science (MSc) at Colorado State University. This was followed by a posting as emergency anaesthetist at the Colorado State University's James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

In 2007, Dr Miyake returned to Australia working as an anaesthetist in Sydney, visiting, consulting and giving seminars in various private practices and specialist referral centres. In 2008, Yukari was a Senior Veterinary Registrar in University of Sydney, Camden campus and then joined The Royal Veterinary College as a Lecturer in Anaesthesia.

In 2010, Dr Miyake joined the team at JCU as the senior lecturer in veterinary anaesthesia. She leads both the clinical practice and clinical teaching components of the anaesthesia team at JCU Vet.

Dr Gretel Fowler

BSc,BVSc MANZCVS (Anaesthesia and Analgesia)

Anaesthesia Clinician

After completing a Bachelor Degree in Animal Science in 2007, Dr Fowler went on to pursue her Veterinary Science degree at James Cook University, Townsville. Dr Fowler graduated in 2012, receiving the Small Animal Medicine Award, and the Animal Behavior, Ethics and Welfare Prize.

Once in general practice, she developed a keen interest in all aspects of Anaesthesia and Analgesia, and thus when the opportunity arose, she accepted a position at JCU Vet in 2018 as the Clinical Veterinary Anaesthetist. Gretel enjoys all aspects of anaesthesia, but is particularly interested in advanced monitoring techniques, complex anaesthesia for the critically unwell patient and ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia. In 2019, Dr Fowler gained membership qualifications in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, through the Australian and New Zealand Collage of Veterinary Scientists. Dr Fowler was recognized as the top Australian candidate in the Anaesthesia field for 2019.

Gretel shares her home with her husband and three fur children; a Devon Rex named Rudy, a Greyhound named Winifred and a Bull Terrier named Bundy. Outside of work, she enjoys outdoor adventure and travel.

Dr Bradley O'Hagan

BVSc Hons MANZCVS

Anaesthesia Clinician

Brad O’Hagan graduated from the University of QLD in Dec 1995. Having spent time in mixed practice in Mildura, he returned to UQ as a resident in equine medicine and anaesthesia. From there he moved to Oakey Vet Hospital, and then off to the UK to work in a mixed practice in Middlesborough. After returning to Oakey for a couple of years Brad moved to Townsville where he worked for 2 years before leaving practice to work in the pharmaceutical industry.

Working for Jurox Pty Ltd, Brad was exposed to all aspects of the pharmaceutical industry, from research and development through to sales and marketing, helping the company establish international businesses in the US and UK. After almost 13 years at Jurox Brad decided it was time to do some volunteer work and headed to Indonesia where he was part of the Australian Volunteer Program, with a position at the Universitas Nusa Cendana.

Brad is a Member of the Australian NZ College of Veterinary Surgeons in Medicine of Horses and Veterinary Pharmacology and has recently completed a Post Grad Diploma in One Health from the University of Edinburgh. He started at JCUVet in December 2021 filling a maternity leave position in the anaesthesia team. When not at work you might see him out running or fishing.

Dr Geoff Nicolson

BVSc, MVS, DECVS

Specialist Veterinary Cardiologist

Dr. Nicolson grew up in New Zealand before making the move to Queensland to complete his veterinary training. He graduated from the University of Queensland in 2011 with honours. It was during university that he developed a strong interest in cardiology. In 2012 he completed a 1 year rotating internship at the University of Queensland Veterinary Teaching Hospital. In 2013 Dr. Nicolson commenced a cardiology residency at the University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital, under the supervision of European-boarded specialist cardiologist Dr Niek Beijerink. In 2017 he successfully obtained specialist status in the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine – Companion Animals, in the subspecialty of Cardiology. Dr Nicolson then spent 12 months working in Melbourne as a mobile cardiologist before establishing Veterinary Cardiac Services, a mobile service focusing on the Sunshine Coast and North Brisbane. Dr Nicolson makes regular visits to JCUVet to provide specialist cardiology services to north Queensland.

While Dr. Nicolson enjoys all aspects of cardiology, he has a particular interest in congenital heart disease, canine cardiomyopathies and arrhythmia management.

Dr John Hutt

BVSc(Hons) CertVD MANZCVS DACVD

Specialist Veterinary Dermatologist

Dr Hutt graduated from the University of Queensland in 1988. He worked in general practice in Brisbane for 18 months before travelling to the UK in 1990, where he worked in small animal practice for the next 11 years. He was a clinical assistant in dermatology at the Animal Health Trust from 1998 to 2001. In 2001 Dr Hutt set up North Kent Referrals, a multi-disciplinary referral practice in the south of England, and he owned and ran the practice until its sale in 2012.

Dr Hutt holds the RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Dermatology, is a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (MANZCVS) by examination in small animal medicine, and is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. He is a past President of the British Veterinary Dermatology Study Group.

Following his return to Brisbane in 2013, Dr Hutt joined the team at Dermatology for Animals. He makes regular visits to JCUVet to provide specialist dermaology services to north Queensland.

Outside of work Dr Hutt’s major interest lies in English Literature and in 2006 he completed a Bachelor of Arts at the Open University.

Dr Yenny Indrawirawan

BAnimSc BVSc MANZCVS(SAM) FANZCVS(ECC)

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Specialist

Dr Yenny Indrawirawan is our new Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Specialist and heads our Emergency Centre team and Critical Care Unit.

Dr Yenny joined JCU Vet Hospital earlier this year after relocating from Melbourne, where she was Head of the Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) department at a very large and busy multi-specialist hospital. She spends most of her time helping and treating pets with the most complex and the most severe problems.

Dr Yenny has joined JCU Vet to pursue her passion as a clinician-educator. She gets very excited about mentoring and helping students, nurses, new graduates, vet interns and residents to learn and provide high level care for our sickest patients. She is continually supporting and developing their knowledge and skills in Emergency medicine and Critical Care and infuses her enormous wealth of knowledge and experience into our ECC team.

After graduating from the University of Melbourne, Dr Yenny spent a number of years in Melbourne private veterinary emergency practices. She achieved a Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (MANZCVS) in Small Animal Medicine and, following a number of years of further intensive study and training, attained her Specialist qualifications in 2016, by successfully attaining Fellowship in Emergency and Critical Care (FANZCVS).

As well as helping to look after our patients at JCU Vet, Dr Yenny is a tutor for Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care education groups, has spoken at numerous scientific meetings, published multiple scientific papers and has been an examiner for Membership and Fellowship levels for the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. She is currently a member of the Board of Examiners of the ANZCVS, who support and oversee specialist level examinations in Australia and New Zealand.

When she is not at work doing what she loves, Yenny enjoys getting out to explore the great outdoors with her husband Pawel and her two dogs, Ponchek and Dango.

Dr Rebecca Heads

BVetMed

Veterinarian and Emergency Clinician

Becky graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in July 2015 and began her career as a mixed practice vet in the UK. Deciding some travel and sunshine was in order, she made the move to Mount Isa in November 2016 to work in small animal practice.

Becky quickly decided that Queensland life was for her, and made Australia her home. After four years in the Isa, she moved to Townsville in early 2021 and took up a locum position at JCU in the GP department. Being exposed to an interesting mix of cases in a hospital setting sparked Becky’s interest in Emergency medicine, and she jumped at the chance to be part of the new Emergency Critical Care team at the end of 2021.

When not at work, Becky can usually be found running, riding her horse, or exploring local beaches with her husband and dogs, Luna and Walter.

Dr Jaime Ridley

BSc BVSc

Veterinarian and Emergency Clinician

Dr Jaime Ridley graduated from JCU in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science (Majoring in Zoology with honours in Marine Biology) and then went on to complete a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at JCU graduating in 2014.

Dr Jaime then went on to work in small animal private practice in NSW for 7 years after graduating. She has an interest in surgery and recently found a very strong interest in emergency and critical care.

Dr Jaime has returned to where her career began and started working at JCU Vet in the Emergency and Critical Care department in December 2021.

Outside of work Dr Jaime loves relaxing with her mini foxies and exploring the wonders of North Queensland with her husband.

Dr Ange Cannell

BVSc

Veterinarian and Emergency Clinician

Dr Ange was born and raised on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland. Growing up, loving being surrounded by animals, from a young age Ange knew she wanted to be a vet.

Since graduating from JCU in 2014, Ange has worked in rural mixed practice in South East Queensland. Ange has enjoyed all aspects of mixed practice, particularly being able to be there for owners and their animals. Ange constantly wants to improve and provide the best care for her patients.

Ange has developed an eagerness for her next challenge. This brings Ange back to where it all began, here at JCU, with an interest and an excitement to learn the knowledge and skills of emergency and critical care medicine.

Downtime for Ange means being surrounded by her family and friends, being active with her dogs, having a cuddle with her cat and adventuring near and far.