General Practice Staff
Dr Helsa Teh - Head of General Practice & Emergency Service
BVSc MANZCVS GradCertVetStud
Senior Registrar in Small Animal General Practice
Helsa graduated from Sydney University in 2007. Following the graduation she spent 3 years in small animal practice in Sydney before starting her internship at Sydney University in 2010. Following her internship, Helsa took some time off to study for her Membership examination with the Australian College of Veterinary Science, which she successfully completed in Small Animal Medicine in June 2011. She has returned to the clinic as a senior registrar in small animal medicine in September 2011.
Helsa has an interest in small animal medicine and is currently undertaking some clinical research in feline hyperthyroidism. She is the proud owner of an Abyssinian named Sage and a guinea pig named Snack.
Dr Christina Zhu - Veterinary Clinical Registrar in Small Animal Practice
BVSc(Merit) MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery) GradDipVetStud (Small Animal Clinical Studies)
Christina graduated in 2008 from the University of Sydney and after hiking around Tasmania, took on a role in private practice for 18months. She couldn’t get enough of the UVTHS and came back to join the team to undertake a post-graduate rotating internship. She lives with her two furry children Sherlock and Calippo both of whom love ear tickles and stretching out alongside the heater listening to the works of classic Romantic and Jazz musicians.
She successfully completed the Diploma of Veterinary Clinical Studies in 2012.
Christina enjoys all aspects of her job as a veterinarian with a special interest in small animal surgery. She intends on furthering her education in this field to reach membership level.
Dr Adelina Chan - Veterinary Clinical Registrar in Small Animal Emergency and After-Hours Service
BVSc (Hons) GradDipVetClinStud (Small Animal Clinical Studies)
Adelina graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree (Hons). She has worked in busy private practice down the south coast for the last 4 years before starting her post graduate internship. She enjoys all aspect of veterinary science, though have a special interest in emergency medicine. She is currently in her second year of veterinary internship.
Adelina spends all of her time (besides working) with her gorgeous cocker spaniel ‘Pebbles’ and her very food orientated cat ‘Miaow Miaow’.
Dr Justin Cardwell - Staff Veterinarian
BSc BVMS (Hons)
Justin is from Perth, Western Australia. He graduated from Murdoch University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with first class honours in 2010. Since then he has been working in a small animal practice in Far North Queensland before moving down to Sydney.
Justin has a special interest in both canine medicine and diagnostic imaging. He hopes to pursue these interests and intends on specialising in one of these areas in the future.
Justin has two dogs, Lee (a not so intelligent Great Dane) and Kip (a very affectionate Kelpie X). Outside the veterinary world, Justin's interests include playing a number of sports including cricket, soccer and AFL and numerous outdoor activities such as fishing, diving and camping.
Dr Jana Leshinsky - Staff Veterinarian
BVSc MVS (Conservation Medicine)
Jana graduated from the University of Sydney in 2008. During her studies she was a veterinary nurse (live-in student) at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney, as well as other private hospitals. Jana has worked in private small animal practice in both Melbourne and Sydney. She has also completed a Master of Veterinary Studies in Conservation Medicine, from Murdoch University. She is passionate about animal welfare and conservation; and has special interests in both small animal medicine and surgery. Jana has returned to the UVTHS as a post-graduate intern in order to develop her skills and knowledge as a small animal veterinarian.
When she isn’t studying or working, Jana enjoys Taekwondo, hiking and eating good food.
Dr Laura Lim - Staff Veterinarian
BVSc (Hon) BAnSc MANZCVSc (Small Animal)
Laura graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2005 and spent 6 years in private practice in Melbourne before joining the Postgraduate intern team at the UVTHS in 2012. Laura has a special intrest in small animal internal medicine, having passed her Membership examinations with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Science in 2009. She has an extra-talkative, hyperactive Jack Russell Terrier named Zoe and a beach-loving Swedish Vallhund named Hamish. In her spare time, Laura tries to fit in as many ballet classes as possible.
Dr Alen Lai - Staff Veterinarian
BVSc (Hon)
Alen graduated from University of Queensland in 2008 with first class honours. Since graduation, he has been working in a large mixed practice clinic in South West Victoria near the Great Ocean Road. He has special interest in Small Animal Surgery and has joined the University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital team to further his skills in this field.
Alen has moved to Sydney with his wife, who works in the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital as a midwife and their cat 'Poppy' who meows and begs for food all day long. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling and checking out restaurants for good food.
Dr Darrel Yap - Staff Veterinarian
BVSc
Darrel graduated from the University of Sydney in 2007 after which he moved to Melbourne where he practiced at Monash Veterinary Clinic, a clinic with a strong focus on canine and feline reproduction. During his time at Monash, Darrel developed a strong interest in diagnostic imaging and medicine, pursuing this passion through both national and international courses with both the European School of Advanced Veterinary Studies and most recently the Centre of Veterinary Education.
Darrel has now returned to the UVTHS to further pursue his interests in both diagnostic imaging and medicine. Darrel and his wife have two dogs named Cookies and Troy and in his spare time enjoys playing guitar, soccer and snowboarding.