Meet Taleta

Meet our beautiful Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Taleta Hompas!

BVSc MANZCVS (ECC) MBA (Leadership) PhD Candidate

Creating sustainable veterinary careers, nurturing supportive work environments, and fostering clinical excellence through continuous learning are at the heart of Taleta’s vision for NQ CARE.

A practicing Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarian with over 17 years of experience, Taleta is a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Emergency and Critical Care), holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and is currently pursuing a PhD focused on developing management competencies within the veterinary industry.

Taleta’s passion lies in blending her clinical experience, business acumen, and PhD research to forge lasting community partnerships across North Queensland, deliver compassionate care to pets and their owners, and cultivate meaningful career opportunities for veterinary professionals at every stage of their career journey.

Meet Jenna

We are beyond thrilled to introduce our Co-Founder, Clinical Director, and Registrar in Small Animal Internal Medicine, Dr. Jenna Rickards!

Jenna’s journey in veterinary medicine is nothing short of impressive! After graduating from James Cook University in 2015, she dove headfirst into the world of mixed rural practice, gaining invaluable experience while simultaneously completing a graduate certificate in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care through University of Melbourne.

She then took her skills to the next level with a rotating small animal internship at James Cook University, followed by a rigorous residency in Small Animal Medicine, where she split her time between James Cook and North Coast Veterinary Specialists on the Sunshine Coast.

Since finishing her residency in 2022, Jenna has further refined her skills at a large multi-disciplinary hospital in Sydney. She has authored several research papers and case reports and has presented her work at both local and international conferences, contributing significantly to the field.

With a strong foundation in advanced diagnostic techniques, her expertise includes endoscopy, ultrasound, and advanced imaging. She excels in managing complex medical cases, employing critical thinking to develop effective treatment plans. Known for her clear communication and collaborative approach, Dr. Jenna is passionate about educating both clients and veterinary colleagues, ensuring the highest standards of care for every patient.

Now, she’s back in Townsville, ready to bring her exceptional skills, top-notch service, and boundless passion for animals to our community! Join us in giving a warm welcome to Dr. Jenna Rickards! We can’t wait for you to meet her! 

Meet Kimberley

We are so proud to present our Head Nurse of Referral, and Director of Operations – Kimberley Litster!

Kimberley is a practicing registered veterinary nurse of over 12 year’s experience, with over half of that time being spent in referral and specialist hospitals. She is a Certificate IV qualified nurse with a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing specialising in Surgery. Kimberley has presented at the national VNCA Conference, winning awards for her lectures and has hosted CPD events for her local general practice veterinary community.

During her career, Kimberley has managed entire veterinary clinics and led multi-disciplinary specialist teams to success. Kimberley is passionate about offering gold standard care to all our furry patients whilst teaching and supporting the new generation of vets and nurses entering the field.

She is a huge advocate for further learning, empowering nurses and creating longevity for vet nursing careers. At NQ Care, Kimberley is excited to grow a hospital and team from the ground up, setting the standards of practice from the start to provide excellent care to our patients and facilitating an environment of consistent education.

Meet Katy

We’re excited to introduce Dr. Katy, our Head of Emergency and Critical Care and Director of People and Culture at NQ Care, and her bestie Chester!

Katy graduated from James Cook University in 2015 and started her career in mixed practice before discovering her passion for Emergency and Critical Care (ECC). She has gained valuable experience working up and down the eastern coast of Australia. Katy completed a Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care through the University of Melbourne and earned her membership in ECC to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (MANZCVS) in 2023.

Most recently, she finished a Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching (Higher Education) through Swinburne University. She’s passionate about teaching and sharing knowledge, always looking for ways to help others develop their skills.

Katy also has a special interest in working with sled dogs and is the race vet for a number of races across Australia, both on snow and land. She enjoys incorporating rehabilitation into her practice, helping these incredible animals maintain their well-being and perform at their best.

Katy’s vision is to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. She’s committed to building a positive and collaborative culture at NQ Care, where every team member can thrive and contribute to exceptional patient care.

Join us in welcoming Katy and Chester to the team! We hope you grow to love them as much as we already do!