Meet our team
Career-long interest and post-graduate study in Vet Dermatology unites our team of skin veterinarians.
With consultations available at our Woodend skin clinic in North Canterbury, and also in Timaru and Dunedin, Lee Williams, Sylvia McLean, Lynda Murphy and Vandre Clear provide a companion animal dermatology referral service for vet clinics South Island wide.
The team are committed to providing an advanced/cutting-edge service with regular attendance at overseas vet dermatology congresses and wet labs, along with membership of NZ/Aus and overseas Derm Special Interest Groups.
Animal Dermatology Canterbury was established in 2017 superseding and building on Duncan Graham’s established referral service.
Lee Williams
Veterinarian BSc BVSc
Lee is a well-known and experienced Christchurch small animal clinician whose upskilling and focus on dermatology which began in 2008, included the Massey University masters dermatology course and continued with overseas internships, courses and congresses. Animal Dermatology Canterbury has been her focus since 2017.
Her considerable skillset and passion for animal Otology and Video-otoscopy have overseen the salvage of hundreds of challenging ear cases. Other areas of special interest include Food Allergy, Feline Atopic Syndrome and Immune-mediated Skin Disease.
Lee has 3 adult children and a collection of needy cats. When away from her beloved microscope she enjoys time with family and friends, reading, theatre and her West Coast bach.
Sylvia McLean
Veterinarian BAgSc BVSc
Sylvia has lived in Canterbury since 1983 and for 26 yrs operated the small animal clinic in Christchurch that hosted Duncan Graham’s dermatology referral service.
Sylvia upskilled in dermatology at a post-graduate level with overseas courses and specialists and has been with Animal Dermatology Canterbury since 2017.
Her areas of special interest include multi-modal management of Atopic Dermatitis and the complex Seborrheic disorders.
Sylvia enjoys time with her son and his family, yoga, walking in the Port Hills and visiting exotic places.
Lynda Murphy
Veterinarian BVSc(dist) PGCert SciTech
Lynda’s dermatology interest began earlier in her career with the Massey University masters dermatology course.
In 2024 she joined Animal Dermatology Canterbury and has been studying for a PG Cert with a dermatology focus mentored by Lee and Sylvie.
Lynda lives in Nth Canterbury with her family and a Jack Russell terrier and she enjoys the outdoors.
Renee MacGregor
Veterinary Nurse DipVN
Renee joined the Animal Dermatology Canterbury team in December 2025, bringing with her five years of experience in a busy general veterinary practice where she developed a strong passion for surgery, anaesthesia, and inpatient care.
Looking to expand her knowledge and explore a new area of veterinary medicine, Renee became increasingly interested in dermatology. She was drawn to the opportunity to provide more detailed, individualised care for patients with skin conditions and is excited to continue learning and growing alongside the team at Animal Dermatology Canterbury.
Deanna Tawera
Veterinary Nurse DipVN
Deanna has a passion for all aspects of patient care. Alongside her role at Animal Dermatology, Deanna also works at the After Hours Vet Centre, where she particularly enjoys emergency and critical care nursing. She loves the variety of cases seen in practice and values the opportunity to build strong relationships with clients while helping manage complex dermatology patients.
Outside of work, Deanna loves being in a position to foster puppies for Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue. Her home is shared with three rescue dogs and two rescue cats, all of whom have found their forever home with her.
In Dunedin, our team consists of:
Veterinarian Dr. Vandre Clear DVM
Vandre completed a residency in Dermatology at Michigan State University in 2015. After running her own Dermatology practice in St Louis she relocated to NZ acquiring Duncan Graham’s Animal Dermatology NZ business in Wellington.
She has a special interest in ear disease, with video-otoscopy available when she undertakes monthly visits to service Animal Dermatology Canterbury’s Otago clients.
In Dunedin, Dr Vandre is supported by Vet Nurse, Phoebe Loper.