Surgical problems staff

Dr David Murphy

Dr David Murphy is a 1986 graduate of the University of Sydney. He spent several years in practice in Australia and England before moving to USA where he completed a surgical residency program and Master's degree at Cornell University in New York.

After spending a year at Texas A&M University as an instructor, David moved to the Florida as an Assistant Professor in surgery where he remained for 4 years before moving to Western Australia in 2002. Dr Murphy is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. His clinical interests include general equine and orthopedic surgery.

His research focus is in orthopedics evaluating the effects of growth factors on tendon healing, and on the treatment of equine joint disease. Dr Murphy shares the surgical caseload with Dr Smith.

Dr Rachael Smith

Dr Rachael Smith graduated from Massey University in New Zealand in 1998. After graduation she worked in a busy private large animal practice in Waikato for two years. During this time Rachael completed a postgraduate diploma in veterinary science, the centrepiece being a thesis on arytenoid chondritis.

Rachael then worked in equine practice in Newmarket and Essex for a year before completing a residency in equine medicine and surgery at Murdoch. Dr Smith is a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in both equine medicine (2003) and equine surgery (2004) and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (2007).