Linnaeus-owned NDSR in Surrey, has welcomed Emily Jeanes, an EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology, and Vim Kumaratunga, an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Veterinary Ophthalmology to its expert team.
Expanded NDSR Team Focused On Further Excellence
1 year ago 
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One of the UK’s leading small animal hospitals has expanded its veterinary ophthalmology team following two key appointments.
Linnaeus-owned North Downs Specialists Referrals (NDSR) in Bletchingley, Surrey, has welcomed Emily Jeanes, an EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology, and Vim Kumaratunga, an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Veterinary Ophthalmology to its expert team.
The appointments of Emily and Vim will see NDSR’s industry-leading ophthalmology service, which is led by RCVS and EBVS® European specialists Richard Everson and Andra-Elena Anache, significantly increase its capacity.
Emily graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2013, then spent three years working in small animal practice.
Having developed a keen interest in ophthalmology, Emily began studying for the BSAVA postgraduate certificate in ophthalmology, then moved to the Animal Health Trust in Suffolk to complete a specialist internship in veterinary ophthalmology.
She then pursued her specialist residency training at the Royal Veterinary College in London and became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology earlier this year.
Emily said: “I’m delighted to be joining such an established and experienced ophthalmology team at NDSR.
“I have a particular interest in microsurgery, particularly corneal and lens surgery, while I also enjoy feline ophthalmology and am interested in uveitis and glaucoma.”
Outside of work Emily enjoys running, cycling and spending time with family, friends and her rescue cat, Bonnie!
Vim graduated from the University of Bristol in 2005 and spent seven years in a first opinion small animal, mixed and exotics practice in Bristol, gaining his RCVS certificate in veterinary ophthalmology in 2012.
He has been recognised as a RCVS advanced practitioner since 2015, working solely as an ophthalmologist at large private referral hospitals before embarking on a European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ECVO) residency programme at Langford Vets, University of Bristol, in 2019.
He completed his final year of residency training and Master of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in August and is due to sit the ECVO certifying board exams next spring.
Vim said: “I always knew I wanted to become an ophthalmologist, even before I started vet school! It’s a wonderful opportunity to join the NDSR ophthalmology team.
“I’m interested in all areas of ophthalmology and across all species. I have a particular interest in feline ophthalmology, infectious keratitis, ocular manifestations of systemic disease and wildlife/exotics species ophthalmology.
“I’m also passionate about teaching and mentoring junior vets and undergraduate students. I’ve been the veterinary intern mentor or director for more than 40 interns over the years and I hope to get involved with NDSR’s renowned internship programme.”
Outside of work, Vim enjoys running, dancing, theatre, travel and architecture/design, along with a strong interest in wildlife conservation and scientific media presenting. He also has a much loved 16-year-old cat called Ridhi.
Vim will also be spending one day a week working at NDSR’s fellow multidisciplinary Linnaeus referral centre Southfields Veterinary Specialists at its recently-opened Basildon hospital.
NDSR clinical director Gerry Polton said the appointments of both Emily and Vim would add even further scope to the ophthalmology team’s offering.
He said: “The whole team at NDSR are happy to welcome Emily and Vim. There is no doubt their skill and expertise will be a great benefit to our well-established and industry-leading ophthalmology service.”
NDSR offers specialist-led services in anaesthesia and analgesia, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery and spinal surgery.
For more information, visit https://www.ndsr.co.uk or search for North Downs Specialist Referrals on social media.
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