Meet the i-Care Team

Learn more about the veterinary team who is looking after your pets

Dr. Rhett Mortenson

Clinic founder, Medical Director, and Senior Veterinarian and Surgeon

Dr. Mortenson started Coombs Veterinary Hospital in the spring of 2008 (now i-care Veterinary Hospital), after graduating from New Zealand’s Massey University in 2006. The hospital is still independently owned by Dr. Mortenson and his Wife.

Dr. Mortenson successfully completed the GPCert Small Animal Surgery program through the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS) in September 2022. He is currently working towards an advanced certificate in Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery (GPAdvCert Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery) in combination with a post-graduate Advanced Practitioner Certificate from Harper Adams University and ISVPS.

Dr. Mortenson’s veterinary interests include Ultrasound and Surgery, with a particular focus on Minimally Invasive and Orthopedic surgeries. He has been performing orthopedic surgery and minimally invasive surgery for more than 15 year and enjoys teaching his associates and nurses.

He is married to his beautiful wife, Andrea, and lives in Coombs. Dr. Mortenson has three children; Brooklynn, Kaylee and Jonah. Their fur family consists of 2 dogs (Lloyd and Mildred), and 1 cat (Pluto).

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Nena Henriksen

Practice Manager

Nena joined the Coombs Vet family in the fall of 2021. She has experience in the human medical world, having worked for 10 years in the cardiology department at Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Alberta. Nena is originally from New West Minister, but is happy to have relocated to the Island.

Nena has 3 grown children, and multiple fur grand-children. She currently lives in Qualicum with her partner Kyle and their 2 boisterous kitties (BB8 and Boba Fett).

Dr. Zoe Noble

Veterinarian, Surgeon and student liaison director

Zoe was born in Victoria and spent the majority of her childhood at the horse barn. She knew that she wanted to be a Vet from the age of 3 and so in addition to horses, her supportive parents let her have all sorts of pets- dogs, cats, lizards, birds, and a variety of small mammals.

After graduating high school in Vancouver, Zoe went to UVic where she got a degree in Microbiology. Zoe and her husband Lochlan then moved to Scotland where she went to the Royal School of Veterinary Medicine in Edinburgh. During school, Zoe worked at the Roslin Institute (famous for being the birthplace of Dolly the Sheep). She loved the opportunity to work with people who were passionate about making science fun and accessible to everybody. She also became a certified sheep shearer and did research on BC’s bighorn sheep population.

Zoe’s favourite part of veterinary medicine is working with clients and their animals as a team and tries her best to spread positivity wherever she goes. Zoe and her family are ecstatic to be back on Vancouver Island and are excited to become part of the Coombs community. When she isn’t working, Zoe enjoys hiking, xc skiing, snowshoeing, spearfishing, horseback riding, and generally spending time outside with her family.

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Dr. Alastair Westcott

Veterinarian, Surgeon, Ultrasonographer and Designated Registrant

Dr. Alastair Westcott received his Veterinary Medical degree from the University of Guelph in 1997. He spent over 20 years practicing on Bowen Island after creating Bowen Veterinary Services in 2001. He was also the founder and Medical Director at Mountainside Animal Hospital in Vancouver starting in 2014.

His most recent experience is in emergency medicine, ultrasonography, and diagnostic/interventional endoscopy. He enjoys orthopedic surgery, and is especially excited to provide a local option for TPLO surgeries.

Dr. Chris Milligan

Locum Veterinarian

A native of Robin Hood country in the UK, Chris graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2010 and returned several years later to undertake research into blood clotting disorders. Since then he has worked mostly in emergency and critical care medicine and has particular interests in ultrasonography, endoscopy and interventional radiology, as well as a love of exotic pets.

Chris and his wife Hannah fell in love with Vancouver Island after visiting on holiday and moved to Nanaimo to enjoy everything the BC Coast has to offer. An avid wildlife photographer, outside of work he is usually found in a kayak or walking the stunning beaches the island has to offer looking for whales and bears. He has three cats; Nimpkish, Tsitika and Skookumchuck who braved the crossing from England and now divide their time equally between charging through the house and sleeping.

Lindsey Gilbert

Lead Technician

Lindsey has been in the veterinary industry for over 13 years, working on the Island and across the Country. She is currently upgrading her skills and knowledge through the Penn Foster veterinary technician program, and plans to become a registered technician.

Her main hobby outside of work is spending time with her husband and 2 adorable children. They enjoy being outdoors in almost any way including hiking, fishing, camping, and biking.

Noelle Eddington, RVT

Veterinary Technician

Noelle is a Registered Veterinary Technician. She graduated from Grande Prairie Regional College in 2021 before deciding to move to Vancouver Island. Noelle has been working in the veterinary field since 2017 and her favourite part of her job is running diagnostic tests to find out what’s wrong, so we can help your pet get on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

When not working, Noelle can most often be found on her mountain bike hitting the trails, hiking, skiing, or reading a good book near lakes and rivers.

Cory Abbott, RVT

Veterinary Technician

Alexia Silva

Technician in training

Alexia joined the i-Care family in September 2022. She came to us with six months of assistant experience, and quickly began training as a technician. She is now enrolled in the Veterinary Technician program at TRU to become a registered Vet Tech. Alexia is an equestrian who also loves all the small floofs and just wants to hep animals.

Emily Rathbone

Technician in training

Emily was born and raised on Vancouver Island. She is in her 3rd year at VIU where she is earning her BA in Sociology. Emily developed a love of farm animals and a passion for animal rescue when she interned at a farm animal sanctuary in California. She loves having the opportunity to interact with all the different pet personalities at the hospital.

When not at work or studying, Emily spends all her time snuggling her feisty cat named Tofu and two dogs, Cyrus and Maisie.

Hayley Stuart

Lead Receptionist

Hayley joined the team in January of 2022. She has come to us with eight years of customer service experience. She is excited to help clients and patients, and to learn everything she can about the Veterinary profession.

She has been around, and has loved, animals all her life. Hayley is the proud pet parent of two porky house cats (Bear & Cleo).

Annaleesa Leach

Receptionist

Cece Everett

Receptionist

Cece was born and raised right here in Coombs. Ever since she could remember, she has wanted to work with animals. Cece graduated from Vancouver Island University’s Animal Care Aid program back in 2021 and has a few years of experience in the field at previous clinics. Cece plans to continue her education in the veterinary field as well as explore her interest in cardiac diagnostic sonography.

Cece has grown up around animals her whole life, from farm animals to companion animals; she has experience with them all. Currently, Cece lives with her husband, two cats Tesla and Boots, and their ball python Naga. You can find Cece on days off curled up on the couch with her cats, a cup of tea and a good book or out with her sister’s children at the park.