Seven up for Paragon as two more specialists join the team
We’ve continued our rapid growth by adding two more specialists to our team, meaning we have now recruited seven diplomates in the last nine months.
Liz Leece, an RCVS and EBVS specialist in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia, has joined the team along with Massimo Mariscoli, an EBVS and RCVS specialist in veterinary neurology, who will launch a dedicated neurology service.
Both Liz and Massimo started work at Paragon at the start of the month and are the sixth and seventh specialists to join the practice since November 2018.
Liz is a past president of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists, is on the British Small Animal Veterinary Association’s congress organising committee and lectures to vets, nurses and occasionally human anaesthetists, all over the world.
She said: “I’m a keen supporter of the anaesthetist’s role in the referral hospital setting, safeguarding welfare and optimising the hospital experience for all our patients.
“One of my first tasks will be to establish a chronic pain management clinic at Paragon to aid any patients in need of such support.
“I also love teaching both inside and outside clinics and I’m currently involved in clinical research into brachycephalics, neuroanaesthesia and chronic pain.”
Massimo grew up in Italy and graduated from the University of Bologna in 1990. He worked as head of small animal surgery and neurology at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Teramo, before spells as lecturer and associate professor at the same centre.
The past president of the Italian Society of Veterinary Neurology (SINVet) moved to the UK in May 2017 to work as a neurology specialist and then head of neurology at a small animal hospital.
His main clinical interests are epilepsy, inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system and neurosurgery.
He said: “I was looking for a new challenge and was very pleased when I learned there was the possibility of setting up the neurology service at Paragon. I first visited the site in February and got a very good impression.
“Neurology has been split between internal medicine and surgery to date, so I will be looking to establish the service in its own right.
“Setting up a new service and new systems can be complex, so I will be taking my time and letting the service take shape naturally.”
Paragon managing director Ian Monteith said: “Both Liz and Massimo are tremendous additions to our team and we’re delighted to be adding yet more high-calibre specialists to our ranks.
“Our continued investment means we are building something really special here. An expert staff operating within a fabulous facility which is full of the most advanced equipment and technology in veterinary science.
“It’s all part of our commitment to deliver an excellent caring and compassionate service across all levels and disciplines.”
Liz and Massimo join fellow specialists Sophie Adamantos (emergency and critical care), Mickey Tivers (soft tissue surgery), Turlough O’Neill (orthopaedics), Rodney Ayl (oncology) and Andrea Holmes (medicine) at Paragon.