Dr Nicole Cook

Lead Veterinarian

Nicole joined the Hawthorn East Vet team in January 2018, after a five and a half year stint on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. After many years of a long commute, Nicole is very happy to be working in our busy inner city practice (and being much closer to home!). A Methodist Ladies College and University of Melbourne 2006 Veterinary Science Graduate, Nicole has a special interest in small animal medicine and diagnostics. She completed her Memberships in Small Animal Medicine via the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2012. She also has considerable experience with abdominal ultrasound.  She lives with her husband and son, and when not working, she enjoys yoga, reading, cooking and eating out. Whilst she does not have any animals of her own at present (yet!), she loves meeting you and your animals. 

Dr Alison Simmons

Veterinarian

Alison joined our Hawthorn East team in July 2018 following work at a busy group of clinics in Adelaide and then Melbourne.

Her interest in animal medicine started after work on her family’s sheep and cattle farm. She is now excited to be working with slightly smaller animals! She enjoys getting to know the families that come with them to work together to ensure each pet receives the best care.  When not at work, Alison enjoys helping out on her family’s farm, playing tennis, running with her Groodle, Scout and baking. Dr Alison has returned to work part time after giving birth to her first child.

Dr Cameron Wilson

Veterinarian

Cam joined the team in 2017, having just moved back to Melbourne after working in the UK. Cam unfortunately has no pets of his own so like to shower his furry patients with pets and cuddles. Cam has great interest in medical cases and diagnostics particularly in dogs and cats suffering from gastrointestinal issues. He is also passionate about pet weight management and the impact carrying a few extra pounds can have on your pet’s health. While not at work Cam revels outdoors in hiking, canyoning and skiing or catching up with friends for some unusual board games and beers.

Dr Cassie Shortal

Veterinarian

Cassie joined the team in July 2018, after spending the past 2 years working in Yorkshire in the UK. Prior to this, Cassie spent 3 years working in a rural mixed practice in Echuca.

Dr Diana Kither

Veterinarian

Diana graduated from Veterinary Science with honours from the University of Queensland in 2004. After working in regional Victoria, the UK, here in Melbourne and then for the last 2 years in Brisbane, Diana has recently returned to Hawthorn East Vet. Diana’s main interest in Veterinary Science is internal medicine. Whilst she doesn’t currently have any animals just yet, Diana is looking forward to welcoming a Labrador into her home one day. Outside of veterinary practice Diana’s main interests are marathon running, having completed her seventh marathon in Melbourne this year and football as an avid supporter of the Melbourne Demons.

Dr Patrick Fitzgerald

Veterinarian

Pat joined the Hawthorn East Vet team in January 2021 after recently graduating from the University of Melbourne.  He enjoys many things about being a Vet but is particularly interested in small animal medicine.  Outside of work Pat loves to socialise with family and friends, travel and is currently working on restoring an old car. 

At home Pat has an Ecelctus parrot named Eddie, a Golden Retriever named Gus and a Border Collie called Maggie.

Dr. Mark Matthews

Veterinarian/Practice Principal

Mark has 25 years experience in veterinary practice, initially in New Zealand (or New Ziland as he pronounces it!) followed by a number of years in a busy practice in London. 

Jo

Business Manager/Registered Veterinary Nurse

Jo started work as Veterinary Nurse in 2004, and completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary nursing in 2007. She joined Hawthorn East Vet in 2012 and has taken on the role of Business Manager after completing a Certificate IV in Frontline Management in 2016.

Jo and Mark the Vet worked together in a previous life at another Vet clinic, before Jo took some time out to have two children.   Jo is enjoying the challenges of practice management but also loves being still involved in the nursing side of the clinic too.  Along with a husband and two children at home, Jo has three cats Ianto, Frida and Diego.

Eliza

Lead Registered Veterinary Nurse

Eliza joined the Hawthorn East Vet team in 2011, after having taken some time out of the workplace to be a Mum.

Eliza started Vet nursing in 1997 and has a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge, experience and fresh ideas. Her ‘can-do’ attitude has been a great asset to our team.

Eliza currently works on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, keeping busy the rest of her week as a wife, and Mum of two children of the human variety and of course the ‘fur kids’ Rolly, Joey, Dave and Pearl.

Dani

Veterinary Nurse

Dani knew she wanted to be a veterinary nurse from eight years of age, although it took her crossing the Tasman to make her dream come true.

Dani completed her Veterinary Nurse qualification in 2009 and continues to complete short courses and seminars to keep up to date with all the latest knowledge.

She finds working with clients to provide the very best care for their pets extremely rewarding.

Aimee

Registered Vet Nurse

Aimee joined the Hawthorn East team in 2017, coming to us with three and a half years working in fast paced Vet clinic in Melbourne’s North. At home, Aimee is kept busy caring for her 3 dogs Indi, Hamish and Buckley, 5 cats Hugo, Dior, Mimmy, Bobby and Terror, and a mini lop rabbit Phil.  Aimee has completed her certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and has a special interest in emergency and surgical nursing (Oh, as well as fostering and hand rearing orphaned kittens!).

Angela

Vet Nurse

After completing a Bachelor of Biological Science in 2013, Angela took time off to travel in Europe and the United States before living and working in Canada for eighteen months. She then joined the team Hawthorn East Vet in November 2017 as a Trainee Veterinary Nurse.  She has now completed an Associate Degree of Veterinary Nursing and is looking forward to continuing her career as a Veterinary Nurse with the Hawthorn East team. She finds the most rewarding part of the job to be improving the welfare of the patients by providing dedicated patient care. Outside of work Angela enjoys hiking, travel, yoga and spending time with her two rescue dogs Tinker and Monty. 

Carly

Vet Nurse

Carly joined the Hawthorn East team in January 2021. She grew up having a variety of pets and always knew she wanted to work with animals. After volunteering with the Animal Aid she began her nursing career in 2016 and has since completed her certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, seeing friends and family, and spending time with her two rescue cats Ella and Tiger. 

Raina

Registered Vet Nurse

Raina started nursing back in 2006 and developed a passion for continuing education and mentoring after several years in a teaching veterinary hospital. She joined the team in 2020 after graduating from Latrobe University with a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing. Her special interests include Emergency and Critical Care and Internal Medicine.
Away from work Raina enjoys long distance hikes, cycling around Melbourne and visiting wineries with her partner Jamie. Together they own a mischievous Airedale Terrier named Sarge as well as two cats; Linus and Kevin.