Kathleen O'Connell

BVSc FANZCVS (Oncology)

Kathleen has been dedicated to the field of oncology since working on the human melanoma vaccine trial at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in 2001 as a researcher. She credits her background in immunology research and publication of a thesis on tumour cell metastasis with piquing her interest in the specialty of oncology. After a number of years in cancer research she completed a bachelor of veterinary science, graduating from the University of Queensland in 2006 with first class honours. Following graduation, she worked in general practice in Brisbane before commencing training as a resident in Veterinary Oncology in 2008. In 2010 she attained MANZCVS in Small Animal Medicine and then in 2013 attained FANZCVS and became a registered specialist in Veterinary Oncology. Her main areas of interest include haematological cancers, melanoma and mast cell tumours. She has worked in her own referral oncology service and is excited to have become a founding partner of the Animal Referral Hospital, a specialist clinic that opened in Sinnamon Park, Brisbane, in 2017. Kathleen is a national and international speaker and has published numerous articles on many aspects of oncology. She has also joined the Australian Palliative Care Advisory Council to aid with palliative and hospice care options as well as to end of life decisions for oncology patients.