Directors
Professor Ken Mason
BSc BVSc MACVSc MVSc FACVSc
Managing Director
Ken is Managing Director of Dermcare-Vet, which he founded in 1979. He is also staff dermatologist at the Animal Allergy and Dermatology Service, and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland. He holds the degrees of B.Sc. (reproduction 1970), B.V.Sc. (1972), M.V.Sc. (Neurology 1984) from the University of Queensland and M.A.C.V.Sc. (Feline medicine) and F.A.C.V.Sc. (Veterinary Dermatology) from the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. He has post graduate training, research and teaching experience gained at the University of Queensland, the University of Florida and the University of California at Davis.
Ken spends time lecturing and teaching veterinary dermatology to veterinarians around the world, directing Research at Dermcare-Vet and seeing referred cases in his clinic. Ken has taught the veterinary dermatology and otology course to 4th year veterinary students at the University of Queensland. He also teaches pathology and conducts a Dermatopathology service through Vetnostics pathology group. He is or has been a member of three editorial boards for scientific journals, two of which are international publications in veterinary dermatology.
Managers
Crystal Mason
AssocDegLaw (Paralegal) GradCertTMLP
General Manager
In 2020 Crystal took on the management of Dermcare-Vet, working alongside Ken who is partially retired, and was formally appointed General Manager in January 2023. Crystal is Ken’s daughter-in-law and has held many positions within the company, starting off in 2016 running projects, managing legal and compliance, and eventually heading the Quality Assurance team to facilitate an upgrade to our Quality Management system.
Prior to joining Dermcare, Crystal practised as a Trade Marks Attorney after developing an interest in intellectual property right protection when she worked in trade mark enforcement, anticounterfeiting and brand management to protect the rights of well known luxury brands. After returning to the workforce from maternity leave, Crystal joined a leading IP firm and worked in IP administration/(paralegal) where she developed her knowledge of patents, designs and plant breeder’s rights. This background enables Crystal to focus the R&D group to understand IP and the Operations group to commercialise and grow our niche dermatology offering.
Crystal is currently completing a dual degree in Business Management and Law (Hons) at the University of Queensland (UQ). She is a highly driven and passionate member of the group who is focused on delivering value for stakeholders, and fostering a positive and efficient work culture who embrace, and are resilient, to change.
Crystal loves all birdlife and has ducks, chickens, dogs, fish and a cat (ex clinic) at home.
Buffy
C.M.O (Chief Moral Officer)
Buffy or Buffet as she is sometimes referred to due to her LOVE of food, is a Labrador who started her Dermcare journey as a patient of the Animal Allergy and Dermatology Clinic in 2017. When Buffy first arrived at Dermcare she was working for the Queensland Government, but due to severe allergies she was no longer able to work in her trained field. It wasn’t long before Buffy captured the hearts of the Dermcare team and Dr Ken Mason. Due to her forced retirement, it was decided Buffy would become a permanent member of Dermcare, and live out her days on Dr Mason’s farm.
The Government invested a great deal of time and effort into training Buffy, all of which was immediately forgotten, and replaced with puppy dog eyes, selective hearing and a habit of raiding the offices for toys or food.
Buffy’s role at Dermcare is constantly evolving and changing. From training new staff pets in the appropriate codes of conduct, to performing quality control on all snacks and ensuring no toy remains intact, she plays a vital role in the happiness and productivity of the team here at Dermcare.
