Staff
Veterinary Specialists
Hannes Bergmann
DrMedVet DipECVS MRCVS
European Specialist in Veterinary Surgery
Hannes graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna in 2001 and completed an internship at the School of Veterinary Medicine Hannover. Following research in perioperative pain therapy he achieved his Doctorate degree in 2003. After one year in small animal practice he started a 3 year residency in Small Animal Surgery at the University of Berne, Switzerland. Hannes joined GWR in October 2007. He became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in July 2008. His clinical interests include all aspects of soft tissue surgery, trauma surgery and minimal invasive surgery.
Hugo Schmökel DrMedVet PhD DipECVS MRCVS
European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Hugo graduated from the Veterinary Faculty of the Zurich University in 1989. After finishing his doctoral
thesis he completed a residency in small animal surgery at the Veterinary Clinic of the University of Zurich.
From 1994 to 1999 he worked in his own referral clinic in Switzerland.
In 1999 Hugo began work on his PhD at the Federal Technical University in Zurich and worked as an
Assistant Professor in Small Animal Surgery at the University of Bern, obtaining his PhD in 2004.
Hugo is specialized in orthopaedic and spinal surgery and in the treatment of fractures and traumatized animals.
Claudia Müller DrMedVet DipACVIM MRCVS
American Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine
Claudia did her veterinary studies at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. She graduated in 1999. Thereafter she did her doctoral theses at the Veterinary diagnostic laboratory of the University of Zurich. An Internship and Residency in small animal Internal Medicine followed from 2002 to 2006. The Residency for the diploma of the American College of Veterinary Inernal Medicine was done at the University of Zurich, Switzerland and at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Georgia, USA. She completed the Residency with the certifying exam in 2006 and got Board-certified in 2007 according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. From 2006 to 2007 she did a locum as faculty at the University of Zurich in Internal Medicine.
Neil Forbes BVetMed DipECAMS CBiol MIBiol FRCVS
RCVS Specialist Zoo Animal and Wildlife Medicine (Avian) and European Specialist in Avian Medicine and Surgery
Neil qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1983. After a period in large animal practice in Cumbria,
he settled in mixed practice at Lansdown Veterinary Surgeons in Stroud, Gloucestershire. Since that time Neil has developed
a large avian and exotic first and second opinion department at the practice.
In the interim Neil has gained RCVS Specialist Status in the field of Avian Medicine and Surgery (1992),
his FRCVS in Exotic Bird Medicine by examination (1997) as well a European Veterinary Specialist in Avian Medicine and Surgery (Dip ECAMS) in 1997.
Neil runs an ECAMS approved residency program and is also Vice President of ECAMS and Chair of the Education Committee. Neil is a Senior Lecturer at Bristol University, where he lectures
and holds regular clinics. Neil has lectured and published widely in most parts of the world;
presented and published many papers and edited, as well as contributed, to 15 books.
Certificate Holders, Assitants, Residents
Bianca Künzel MRCVS
After graduating from the University of Berlin in 2004 Bianca spent two years of clinical rotation (internal medicine, soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery, emergency/critical care and cardiology) at the Small Animal University Clinic.Bianca joined GWR in 2007 as an Internal Medicine Assistant and is enrolled for the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Internal Medicine.
Silke Stein DrMedVet FTAsa MRCVS
Silke graduated in February 2002 in Leipzig, Germany. Following graduation she started a 2-year-internship at the Small Animal Hospital at University of Berlin
where she stayed as an assistant until February 2006. During the last two years she gained experience in internal medicine but also
developed her interest in surgery as well as in emergency and critical care.
In February 2006 she moved to the UK and worked in a first opinion small animal practice for eight months.
In September 2006 Silke passed her “Fachtierarzt fuer Kleintiere” exam (German certificate for Small Animals).
In October 2006 Silke joined Great Western Referrals to complete a European College of Veterinary Surgery residency.
She is also enrolled in the RCVS Certificate for Small Animal Surgery.
Winnie Achilles MRCVS
Marie Kubiak MRCVS
Alberto Rodriguez Barbon Lic Vet CertZooMed MRCVS
Alberto graduated in June 2003 from Leon Veterinary College, in Spain. Following graduation he received a Leonardo da Vinci
scholarship funded by the European Union, to complete a 6 months externship at Davies Veterinary Specialists. On successful completion
of his externship he began a rotational internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the same referral hospital.
In March 2005, Alberto joined Great Western Referrals to complete a European College of Avian Medicine and Surgery residency.
He gained the RCVS Certificate in Zoological Medicine in September 2007
Interns
Philippa Johnson MRCVS
Valentina MRCVS
Elisa MRCVS
Sebastian Schulze MRCVS
Veterinary Nurses
Debra Watson VN - Head Nurse
Debbie qualified as a VN in 2002 whilst working for a large veterinary practice in Bristol.
In 2003 Debbie became a self employed veterinary nurse undertaking locum work throughout the South West area.
Having gained this extensive experience, Debbie joined Great Western Referrals in April 2006 following an extended
period of locum work with us.
Debbie has a keen interest in wildlife and from October 2003-January 2004 held the position of assistant co-ordinator
for the War Thai Gibbon Rehabilitation project in Ranong, Thailand and in the previous year undertook volunteer work
at an elephant reserve in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.
Clare Dorey-Phillips BSc(Hons) VN MBVNA
Claire joined Great Western Referrals in December 2005 having qualified in July 2005 with a degree in Veterinary Nursing
and Practice Administration from Bristol University.
Claire has been involved in the care and nursing of animals since her schools days where she worked from
the age of 15 in her local veterinary practice in Neath, West Glamorgan. She is keen to continue expanding her knowledge
and hopes to enrol for both the medical and surgical RCVS nursing diplomas.
In her spare time, Claire is a keen swimmer and has achieved the Bronze Medal Life Saving Award.
Catherine Morton
Catherine Stevens
Kimberley Hayward
Clare Taylor DipAVN (Surgical) VN MBVNA
Clare qualified in Manchester 1994 and has worked in several large veterinary hospitals throughout her career.
She obtained her Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (surgical) in 2007.
Her role in the practice is referral theatre nurse and works every weekend covering the emergency clinics for several
practices throughout Swindon.
Her interests are looking after her pet fish and canary Cheep Cheep which she rehomed from GWR, keeping fit,
and zooming around country roads on her motorbike!
Sophie Gray VN A1
After leaving school Sophie completed three different courses at different colleges to be eligible for the veterinary nursing course. After all the hard work, Sophie qualified as a veterinary nurse in April 2004. She continued to work at her training practice in Swindon and went on to train as an assessor to student vet nurses.
In December 2006 Sophie joined Great Western Referrals as their Avian and Exotic Nurse in the Avian and Exotic Department. Sophie is currently studying for the City & Guilds Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Species course, which is the top exotics veterinary nursing qualification.
Sian Wiltshire
She qualifed in 1996 and has worked in small animal practice in Swindon for 14 years. With this high level of experience, Sian joined GWR in November 2007 in or to further her nursing.
She has two dogs, two cats, two ginea pigs and also two children. and spend time with my two girls. When she is not working, she enjoys going to the Gym and playing Netball.
Anna Sasin
Nicki
Administration
Derek King CEO
Tanya Ogley
Clare Brewer
Clare started at GWR in September 2006, as head receptionist / administrator. She studied at Hartpury college and
completed her HND in animal science. She qualified as a first aider at work, and has 4 years experience as
a veterinary receptionist.
In her spare time she attends Ballroom and Latin American dance classes.
Carol Gray VN
She became a qualified VN after leaving school and worked in practice for a total of 9 years.
Due to family comitments she moved to working in a Pharmacology Research lab working on the development of Immunosuppressants specifically aimed at mono-articular arthritis and transplantation rejection. For the past 9 years i have been working in Customer Services and Administration. I came to GWR in October 2005.
Most of my freetime is spent successfully showing my Great Danes and breeding the occasional litter
