Raelene is a 2003 Honours graduate of the University of Queensland’s Bachelor of Veterinary Science program. Upon graduation, Raelene completed a 12-month small animal rotating internship at Queensland Veterinary Specialists, followed by a small animal internal medicine residency at Veterinary Specialist Services. She became a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2007. In 2010, she accepted the position of Haematology and Transfusion Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. From Philadelphia, she moved to the midwest to complete a second residency program in veterinary oncology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Raelene became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology) in 2014. Since that time, Raelene has acquired additional qualifications in professional development, teaching, communication, diversity, equity and inclusion, and leadership.
Raelene’s absolute passion is the care of her cancer patients and their families. Raelene’s diverse and extensive training, encompassing not only oncology, but also internal medicine and haematology and transfusion medicine, enables her to provide the most complete case management, whilst emphasising the patient’s quality of life and the time spent with their family.
In addition to her clinical oncology services at VSS, Raelene is active within the broader veterinary professional arena. She is a member of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS), and the Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS). Currently, Raelene sits on the ACVIM’s Board of Regents as the organization’s Certification Liaison, as well as the AVMA’s Veterinary Specialty Organizations’ Committee.
Outside of being an oncologist, Raelene’s priority is spending time with her own family; US husband, daughter and two extremely spoiled and well-travelled felines.