New clinical director announced

June 21, 2023

The new clinical director at Linnaeus-owned Southfields Veterinary Specialists in Essex has a clear vision for the state-of-the-art animal hospital.


Kerry Smith, an RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology, is fully focused on further enhancing Southfields’ reputation as one of the UK’s leading veterinary referral centres, having started in her new role in April.

Kerry said she was delighted to be joining the expert team at the new £16 million purpose-built hospital at Cranes Point in Basildon.

She said: “I’m thrilled to be starting this new phase of my career as clinical director at Southfields.

“Within my role, I will be focusing on helping the team to continue to strive for excellence in the treatment and care we deliver to our patients, clients and referring vets.

“I’m also fully committed to encouraging the professional growth and all-round development of the Southfields team.

“We are one of the largest and most diverse small animal hospitals in Europe and have exceptional facilities in our new custom-built building.

“We also have more than 100 dedicated, experienced and passionate veterinary specialists, registered veterinary nurses and veterinary professionals.

“It means we have the highest quality people, state-of-the-art medical equipment and a stunning and unique working environment to manage every aspect of medical and surgical care for pets.”

 

Kerry graduated from the Royal Veterinary College and was most recently Linnaeus subject matter expert (SME) in veterinary ophthalmology.

She obtained an RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology whilst in general practice and gained her European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ECVO) Diploma in Ophthalmology in 2007.

She became a member of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Panel in 2008 and in 2018 was invited to the Eye Panel Working Party.

Kerry previously worked at Southfields’ fellow Linnaeus hospital Davies Veterinary Specialists in Hertfordshire from 2006 to 2023, becoming head of ophthalmology in 2020.

She was a member of the ECVO’s Education and Residency Committee from 2010 to 2021, was an external examiner for the British Small Animal Veterinary Association PGCert in Veterinary Ophthalmology from 2017 to 2021 and has also lectured widely.

Out of work, Kerry’s time is occupied by her two young sons and delinquent working cocker spaniel, Rhubarb.

 

Southfields, which moved into its cutting-edge Basildon hospital last summer, offers specialist services such as anaesthesia and analgesia, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, exotics, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, radiation and soft tissue surgery.