Eminent veterinarian Jon Wray has become the new clinical director at Linnaeus flagship small animal hospital Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service.

It’s a happy return to Willows for the small animal medicine specialist and clinical cardiologist after 20 years away from the industry-leading West Midlands practice, which is regarded as one of Europe’s top animal hospitals.

In 2001, Jon was responsible for establishing the small animal medicine service at Willows and has fond memories of the Solihull referral centre.

He said: “I’m enormously excited and privileged to be taking the position of clinical director at Willows, having fond memories of developing the internal medicine service here 20 years ago.

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“I’ve watched with great admiration as the hospital has grown and developed as an outstanding multidisciplinary referral centre and general practice with the same commitment to excellence that has always been a byword for Willows.

“I look forward with enthusiasm to working with such a stellar group of specialists and superb veterinary and nursing talent to deliver the very best of care for the patients entrusted to our collective expertise by their owners and veterinary practices.”

It’s a stellar appointment for Willows, with Jon widely regarded as being in the vanguard of the UK’s vet specialists.

In 2008, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (FRCVS), recognised for his Meritorious Contribution to Clinical Practice, and in the same year was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB) and listed as a Chartered Biologist.

Jon is a past chief examiner for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate and Diploma in Small Animal Medicine, and the Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice for the University of Liverpool.

He has published widely and lectured nationally and internationally in internal medicine, cardiology, veterinary education and interventional radiology.

He is the author of the book ‘Canine Internal Medicine: What’s Your Diagnosis?’ and is an Honorary Associate Professor in Small Animal Internal Medicine at the University of Nottingham and Visiting Lecturer at the Universities of Copenhagen and Lusofona (Lisbon).

Jon’s clinical practice covers all aspects of internal medicine and cardiology, although he does have a keen interest in certain key areas.

He explained: “I’m specifically interested in the investigation and management of dysphagia, endocrine dwarfism, diagnostic and therapeutic interventional endoscopy, congenital heart disease, pericardial disease, interventional cardiology and interventional radiology.”

Jon also speaks regularly in clinical reasoning and cognitive error as applied to small animal veterinary practice as he passes on the expertise he’s accumulated over a glittering career.

Jon graduated from the University of Bristol in 1996 and, after two years in mixed general (mainly cattle and small animal) practice in Bath and north-east Somerset, returned to the Univesity of Bristol to perform a three-year residency in small animal medicine.

In 2001, he enjoyed his first spell with Willows before beginning the canine medicine referral service at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, in 2004, before becoming their head of internal medicine.

Jon then returned to the University of Bristol as clinical fellow in cardiorespiratory medicine before joining fellow Linnaeus practice Dick White Referrals in 2008 as a specialist in small animal medicine and subsequently head of cardiology.

Outside of work, Jon enjoys travelling, live music, playing the guitar and spending time with his three children messing around in kayaks, boards and swimming in rivers and the sea.

Toby Gemmill, managing director of Willows and fellow Linnaeus practice Kentdale Referrals, is delighted to welcome Jon back in his new role.

He said: “Jon is a well-known and respected name in the veterinary world and we’re absolutely delighted to welcome him back to Willows as clinical director.

“I have no doubt his experience and dedication will be of huge benefit to the hospital and team. We pride ourselves on being an industry-leading referral centre and Jon’s appointment is another demonstration of our ambition to continue in that position.”

Willows offers specialist services in anaesthesia and analgesia, cardiology, clinical nutrition, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery and spinal surgery.

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