William Hawker

Profile

Dr. Will Hawker obtained a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney in 2012. He worked in a remote rural mixed animal practice on the Australian coast for several years, where he gained a broad range of surgical experience. After completing memberships in small animal surgery with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, he travelled to Canada to begin a rotating internship at OVC in 2019. He was accepted into OVC’s surgical residency program in 2020 and completed his Doctor of Veterinary Science in May 2024.

Research Interests

Hawker’s DVSc research examined the effect of locking-head inserts on the biomechanical properties of orthopedic implants. His work holds translational value and aims to impact the clinical application of orthopedic implants in both veterinary and human healthcare.

Professional Experience & Honours

• Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc), University of Sydney (2012)
• Internship, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph (2019-2020)
• Residency/Doctor of Veterinary Science (DVSc), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph (2020-2024)

Selected Publications

• Hawker, W.T.G., Moens, N., MacIver, M., Guest, B., Oblak, M., Runciman, J (2025). The effect of locking head inserts on the biomechanics of a 3.5mm locking compression plate in an open fracture gap model. Veterinary Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology, https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0044-1800973.
• Hawker, W.T.G., Singh, A., DeForge, T., Thieman Mankin, K., Giuffrida, M., Weese, J.S. (2024), Attitudes towards surgical safety checklists among American College of Veterinary Surgeons diplomates. Veterinary Surgery, 53(5), 816-823.
• Hawker, W.T.G., Singh, A. (2024), Advances in the treatment of canine chylothorax. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 54(4), 707-720.
• Hawker, W. T. G., Singh, A., Gibson, T. W. G., Giuffrida, M. A., & Weese, J. S. (2021). Use of a surgical safety checklist after implementation in an academic veterinary hospital. Veterinary Surgery, 50(2), 393–401.
• Corso, D., Singh, A., Stine, S., Hawker, W., Allegrini, G., Richardson, D. (2024). Use of a haired angularis oris axial pattern flap in a dog to correct a large oronasal fistula secondary to resection of a hard palate multilobular osteochondrosarcoma. CVJ, 65(6), 547–552.
• Fairfield, D., Singh, A., Richardson, D., Hawker, W., Mayhew, P., Cinti, F., Buote, N., Culp, W., Balsa, I., Massari, F., Runge, J., Griffin, M., Gibson, E., Chanoit, G. (2024). Minimally invasive splenectomy is associated with a low perioperative complication rate and short operative time in cats. JAVMA, 262(4), 1–7.
• Singh, A., Hawker, W., Mitchell, K., Appleby, R., Bersenas, A. M. E., & Collier, A. (2023). Laparoscopic surgical treatment for sliding hiatal hernia is associated with an owner-perceived improvement in clinical outcome in dogs. JAVMA, 1–6.
• Farrell, M., Singh, A., Larose, P., Stine, S., Hawker, W., & Kornya, M. (2023). Application of a distant, direct, single-pedicle hinge flap for reconstruction of a circumferential cutaneous defect of the thoracic limb in a dog. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 64(7).
• Lee, G. K. C., Diamantino, G., Hawker, W., & Wood, R. D. (2021). What is your diagnosis? Aspirate of a lymph node in a dog. Veterinary Clinical Pathology, 50(4), 603–605.