Amanda Erickson
DVM, ACVIM (Cardiology)
Mandy Erickson joined GVS in 2011. She received both her undergraduate and veterinary degrees from the University of Florida, making her yet another proud Gator on the list of those on staff. Following graduation, Mandy completed both her rotating internship and cardiology residency at North Carolina State University. She enjoys anything outdoors, including SCUBA diving, golf and hiking.
Darlene Blischok
DVM, ACVIM (Cardiology)
Darlene Blischok joined the GVS family in the summer of 2001 to lead our cardiology department. She obtained her undergraduate and DVM degrees from Virginia Tech. Dr. Blischok then completed a residency in cardiology at the Veterinary Referral Centre and Cardiopet in Little Falls, New Jersey. Her areas of clinical interest include congenital heart disease recognition, thyrotoxic heart disease and treatment of heart failure. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, creating pottery, yoga, reading, and spending time with her husband Skip. She says if she had to choose a different career, it would involve digging in the dirt, either in landscaping or operating heavy machinery.
Robert Schick
DVM, ACVD (Dermatology)
Robert Schick is the first board-certified veterinary dermatologist in Atlanta and the first to utilize the CO2 laser. After receiving his undergraduate and DVM degrees from the University of Florida, he completed an internship at Oradell Animal Hospital in New Jersey and a residency at the University of Pennsylvania. He began practicing in the Atlanta area in 1988, and joined the GVS team of specialists in 2002, and soon became a partner. Dr. Schick, who is also an aviator, is an avid Gator fan who will often fly his plane down to watch his team play. His twin sons, however, chose Georgia Tech and Cornell over Florida.
Gustavo Sepulveda
DVM, ACVR (Radiology)
Gustavo Sepulveda is originally from Puerto Rico, where he received an undergraduate and graduate degree in animal science. He received his DVM from the University of Tennessee, and an internship in small animal medicine, and residency in radiology at Michigan State University. Dr. Sepulveda served as Assistant Professor of Veterinary Radiology at Michigan State prior to relocating to the Atlanta area. He and his wife have three children that keep them busy. To relax, he enjoys watching boxing.
Mark Dorfman
DVM, MS, ACVIM (Internal Medicine)
Mark Dorfman is one of the founding partners of GVS and in addition to clinical practice in internal medicine, serves as the medical director. He is one of several GVS doctors that are known for their allegiance to the Florida Gators. He received his undergraduate and DVM degrees from the University of Florida, completed an internship at Louisiana State University and a residency at the University of Georgia. His clinical interests include gastroenterology, feline hyperthyroidism and urology. His personal interests include spending time with his two daughters, weight lifting, and watching movies.
Lisa Langs
DVM, ACVIM (Internal Medicine)
Lisa Langs received her DVM degree from the Ontario Veterinary College, completed an internship at Georgia Veterinary Specialists and a clinical residency at Louisiana State University. She returned to join the internal medicine team at GVS in 2006 in part because she prefers the warmer climate of the South, which allows her to enjoy long hikes with her mixed breed dog. Her three felines prefer to stay home. Her clinical interests include endocrinology, as well as gastrointestinal and infectious disease.
Nick Berryessa
DVM, ACVIM (Internal Medicine)
Nicolas Berryessa joined the GVS Internal Medicine service in 2008 from Iowa State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where he served as a clinical instructor in small animal internal medicine. He grew up on the West Coast and received his undergraduate degree from the University of California Davis, but moved to the East Coast where he obtained his DVM from Cornell University. He and his wife Jennifer Parkes (a neurologist at GVS) met while completing their internships at GVS. They both pursued their respective residencies, his back at UC Davis, and returned to practice at GVS. Dr. Berryessa’s habit of drinking copious amounts of coffee probably came about as a result of many late nights spent researching infectious diseases and immune-mediated disorders. To relax, he likes to exercise, watch movies and spend time with his wife and daughter.
Alysa B. Cook
DVM (Internal Medicine)
Alysa Cook received her DVM degree from University of Georgia and completed an internship and internal medicine residency at The Animal Medical Center in New York. Much of her time off is spent entertaining her retriever mix, Willie B. Her clinical interests include endocrine disease, infectious disease and diseases of the urinary tract.
Meri Miller
DVM, ACVIM (Internal Medicine)
Meri Miller is an Aggie from Texas who came to Georgia for her internship then residency in internal medicine. She and her husband Brad liked it so much they stayed. In the past few years, Meri has elected to work on weekends and holidays. This slightly unconventional schedule has allowed her to follow her two passions: internal medicine and raising their children. When not at work or homeschooling, the Miller family enjoys baseball, horseback riding, and being outside.
Derek Duval
VMD, ACVIM (Internal Medicine)
Derek Duval joined the GVS internal medicine service in 2000. He obtained undergraduate and VMD degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed an internship at the University of Georgia, staying on the faculty while wife Julie completed her surgery residency. He returned to the University of Pennsylvania for his internal medicine residency. Dr. Duval’s clinical interests include critical care and emergency medicine, endoscopy, hematology and oncology as well as interventional radiology and endoscopy. When he’s not practicing medicine, Dr. Duval enjoys martial arts, hiking, playing with his son and daughter, cooking and making home-brewed beer.
Terry Hamilton
DVM, ACVIM (Oncology)
Terry Hamilton received his DVM degree from University of Illinois in 1987. He completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 1988 and a residency in veterinary oncology at Purdue University in 1991. Dr. Hamilton’s favorite sport is baseball. He’s a Cleveland Indians fan, and also enjoys watching his son play. He and wife Allison enjoy every chance to spend with their son and daughter.
Courtney Mallett
DVM (Oncology)
Courtney Mallett, DVM is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship at Florida Veterinary Specialists and returned to UGA to complete her residency in oncology. Dr. Mallett joined the Oncology team at GVS in October. In her free time she likes to run, snow ski and travel.
Stacy Andrew
DVM, ACVO (Opthalmology)
Stacy Andrew received her DVM degree from the University of Tennessee, completed an internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, and a residency in comparative ophthalmology at the University of Florida. She served as a faculty member at the UF from 1998 until 2002, when she joined the GVS staff. Her clinical interests include corneal diseases, ocular manifestations of systemic disease and eyelid surgery. Dr. Andrew is married to Alan Cross, DVM, ACVS, one of the surgeons at GVS. Together they have six four-legged children: three horses and three French Bulldogs. When not working, Stacy enjoys traveling, reading, and horse-related activities.
Alan R Cross
DVM, ACVS (Surgery)
Alan Cross obtained a degree in Biomedical Engineering from Vanderbilt University prior to receiving his DVM from the University of Tennessee. He then completed a rotating internship and surgical residency at the University of Georgia. He was an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Florida for five years, completing his tour of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Dr. Cross focuses on orthopedic surgery and frequently publishes and lectures on various procedures and topics within the specialty. One of his other passions is motorsports, and on many weekends you will find him in his garage under an automotive restoration project or racing his Spec Miata race car on various tracks in the Southeast.
Lori MacDougall
DVM, MVSc, ACVS (Surgery)
Lori MacDougall is one of three tall Canadian doctors at GVS. She earned her DVM degree in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, completed a rotating internship at Washington State University, and a surgery/critical care internship in Calgary, Alberta, before returning to Saskatoon for a three- year surgery residency. She joined the surgery department at GVS in 2006. Dr. MacDougall enjoys being outdoors year round, including activities such as triathlon sprints, tennis, volleyball, and golf. She and her husband (who is conveniently a pharmacist) also enjoy spoiling their dog and two cats. Special interests at work include pain management and reconstructive surgery.
Cassandra Ruthrauff
DVM, ACVS (Surgery)
Cassandra Ruthrauff, DVM, ACVS, joined the GVS team in October of 2011. She received her DVM from Texas A & M University, and completed her internship at Garden State Veterinary Specialists and her surgical residency at Veterinary Surgical Associates in the San Francisco Bay area. Prior to joining GVS, Dr. Ruthrauff practiced at Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists. She enjoys watching professional sports, particularly New England teams, as well as playing soccer, wakeboarding and snowboarding. Her two dogs and two cats also keep her busy.
Kevin Winkler
DVM, ACVS (Surgery)
Kevin Winkler joined the surgical team in 2007. He received his DVM degree from the University of Georgia, and then practiced emergency medicine for three years before completing an internship and residency at the University of Illinois. Before coming to GVS, Dr. Winkler spent more than 10 years focused in the areas of surgery, emergency and critical care for referral practices in North Carolina and Wisconsin. He currently serves on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s disaster relief team. He and his wife have four children and one grandchild.
Julie Duval
VMD, ACVS (Surgery)
Julie Duval joined our surgical team in 2000. She received her VMD degree and completed her internship at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine. She went on to complete her residency in surgery at the University of Georgia. Prior to coming to GVS, Dr. Duval was a clinical instructor at University of Pennsylvania and also spent several years in specialty referral hospitals in South Carolina and Missouri. Dr. Duval specializes in soft tissue surgery and has special interests in portosystemic shunts, reconstructive and urinary surgery. She enjoys being outside and loves hiking with her family, especially if there are photo worthy views. When the weather gets colder, she can be found cheering on the Duke basketball team on TV or occasionally in person.
Jennifer Parkes
DVM, ACVIM (Neurology/Neurosurgery)
Jennifer Parkes received her DVM from Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island in Canada. After completing a rotating small animal internship at GVS in 2005,she completed a residency in Neurology/Neurosurgery at Iowa State University. She and husband Nick Berryessa, DVM, ACVIM, returned to GVS in 2008 where she joined the neurology service, and he joined the internal medicine service.
Ronald P. Johnson
DVM, ACVIM (Neurology/Neurosurgery)
Ronald Johnson began the neurology service for GVS in 2002. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida and his DVM degree in 1996 from the University of Florida. Dr. Johnson completed an internship at Louisiana State University and a residency in medical neurology and neurosurgery at the University of Florida. His clinical interests include head trauma and neuromuscular disease. An active sportsman, Dr. Johnson enjoys golf, tennis, and running, but even more so, he enjoys the company of his wife and their three children.
Susan G. Wynn
DVM (Nutrition)
Susan G. Wynn is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a clinical internship in Washington, D.C., and a fellowship in viral immunology at the Emory University School of Medicine. After 22 years of clinical practice, she has also completed a residency in nutrition with the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Wynn has served as a consultant for government health agencies, professional organizations, and pet nutrition companies worldwide, and speaks internationally on the subject of clinical nutrition and holistic medicine. She has authored four textbooks and numerous papers on integrative therapies. Dr. Wynn is a native of Sandy Springs and enjoys gardening, cooking, reading, hiking, and horses.
Jennifer Pittman
DVM, ACVECC (Emergency & Critical Care)
Jennifer Pittman, DVM, joined GVS in October 2010 as a veterinary criticalist. She received her undergraduate and DVM degrees from the University of Georgia and completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery, as well as an internship in emergency medicine at Texas A & M University. She returned to the University of Georgia for her residency in emergency and critical care. Her clinical interests include the treatment of snake bites, sepsis and coagulation disorders. In addition to being an expert in critical care, Dr. Pittman is an accomplished violinist. She’s played since elementary school and has been a member of the Athens Symphony Orchestra for more than 10 years. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, SCUBA diving, and the company of her three cats.
Jenya Katz
DVM (Emergency & Critical Care)
Jenya Katz, DVM, is originally from Los Angeles and graduated with honors from the University of California, Irvine with a B.S. degree in biology in 1997. She earned her DVM from the University of Florida in 2001. Following a 13-month internship in emergency medicine, critical care, internal medicine and surgery at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, Dr. Katz worked in a 24-hour hospital for two years, also in Boston. Upon moving to Atlanta she worked at another 24-hour emergency hospital for a year before joining the staff at GVS in 2005. Dr. Katz lives in Roswell with her husband, two children, one dog and two cats.
Christine Merrick
DVM (Staff Doctor)
Dr. Merrick is originally from Connecticut. She earned her DVM from Colorado State University and recently finished a rotating internship at Auburn University. Her primary clinical interest is in medical oncology. In her free time she loves the beach, mixed martial arts, reality television and spending time with her dog and cat.
Katherine Steadley
DVM (Staff Doctor)
Dr. Steadley is a Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine graduate who completed her clinical training at Louisiana State University. She enjoys traveling, trying her hand at gourmet cooking and spending time at the gym. Her clinical interests include small animal surgery and internal medicine. She likes to take her Catahoula mix to the dog park on the weekends to get out her endless amount of energy.
Jeremy Tarlow
DVM (Emergency & Critical Care)
Jeremy Tarlow received his DVM degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he founded the Illinois Student Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care chapter. He completed an internship in emergency medicine at the Animal Emergency Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and spent an additional two years at the facility as a resident. His areas of interest include transfusion medicine, traumatology,and critical care of infectious diseases.Dr. Tarlow joined the GVS Emergency team in 2006. His hobbies include fitness and travel.
Katherine Conlon
DVM (Emergency & Critical Care)
Katherine Conlon received her DVM degree from Cornell in Ithaca, New York. She completed an internship at Georgia Veterinary Specialists and joined the hospital's Emergency team in 2008. The Atlanta native is a Braves fan, and divides her free time between the physical: playing softball, running, and riding horses, and the mental: reading, movies and trivia. She and her husband, a nephrology fellow at Emory, have three equally active cats.
Jean Sonnenfield
DPhil,DVM (Emergency & Critical Care)
Jean Sonnenfield completed her D. Phil (PhD) in Clinical Biochemistry at Oxford University, United Kingdom in 1997. She graduated summa cum laude from Kansas State University with a B.S in Biology, and received her DVM degree, also graduating summa cum laude, from Kansas State University in 2000. Dr. Sonnenfield completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Georgia in 2001 and has been an emergency clinician at GVS since completing her internship. She lives in Sandy Springs with her husband, two children, one dog and two cats. You’ll often find her on the soccer field, either playing on a women’s team or coaching her son’s team.
Sara Cato
DVM (Staff Doctor)
A Georgia “Bulldawg” through and through, Dr. Cato received both her undergraduate and DVM degree from the University of Georgia. When not at work, she takes every chance she can get to get outside with her faithful hiking buddy – Danny, a 25-lb mixed breed dog who adopted Dr. Cato six years ago after he was brought into a clinic by a good Samaritan.
Luke Watson
DVM (Staff Doctor)
Born in Seoul, South Korea, but reared in Knoxville, Tennessee, Dr. Watson stayed in home state to pursue his DVM at the University of Tennessee after receiving his undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech. His wife, also a veterinarian is currently completing her residency at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Watson’s clinical interests are broad, with special attention to small animal surgery. His personal interests, as well as his pets, are equally as broad. Dr. Watson likes to cook, especially anything that he can grill or barbeque, and he also likes to pick a little on guitar. His pets – a green iguana, a pacman frog, 3 snakes and a rescued bull terrier --often have the pleasure of hearing Dr. Watson’s music.
Chelsie Estey
DVM (Staff Doctor)
Dr. Estey is one of several doctors at GVS born under the flag of our Northern “neighbour “country of Canada. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of New Brunswick a master’s degree from the University of Ottawa and a DVM degree from Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island. Dr. Estey’s clinical interests include neurology and neurosurgery. She’s an avid runner and cyclist and when she’s not enjoying the outdoors, she can be found playing with her two dogs and one cat.
Samantha Emch
DVM (Staff Doctor)
A graduate of Ross University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Emch is in the process of specializing in neurology and neurosurgery. She completed clinical training at Purdue University, as well as a rotating internship in small animal medicine, surgery and emergency at Angell Memorial Animal Medical Center in Boston. In her free time, Dr. Emch enjoys yoga and running. She has a German short-haired pointer named Reece.
Betsy Von Trapp
DVM (Staff Doctor)
Dr. Trapp is a Georgia native who grew up in Savannah. She received a BS in History from Boston College and her DVM degree from the University of Georgia. Her clinical interests include neurology and oncology. She likes to travel, hike, run, cook and spend time with friends. She and her husband also keep busy with two sweet but mischievous dogs.
Josh Smith
DVM (Staff Doctor)
Dr. Smith’s love of animals led him to complete his DVM at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada, following a BS in Chemistry from the University of Prince Edward Island. His clinical interests include emergency and critical care medicine, as well as pain management. In his personal time, Dr. Smith keeps in shape with olympic weightlifting and spending time with his two dogs and one cat.
Stanley Hunter
DVM (Emergency & Critical Care)
Stanley Hunter was a three time National Dean's List recipient during his undergraduate years at Tuskegee University. He remained at Tuskegee to earn his DVM degree in 1999. He spent several years practicing emergency medicine in various states, including Michigan and New York. In 2004 he relocated to Atlanta, but as a native New Yorker, continues to enjoy following the Yankees. In addition to sports and politics, Dr. Hunter has a passion for veterinary emergency and critical care.
Elizabeth Martin
VMD (Staff Doctor)
Dr. Martin is an Atlanta native who went north to pursue her DVM degree. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine but is naturally thrilled to be back in her hometown. Her clinical interests include emergency and critical care medicine, internal medicine and clinical pathology. In her free time she enjoys knitting and teaching herself to cook, dish-by-dish. She also loves the company of her dog and four cats.
Christine Merrick
DVM (Staff Doctor)
Dr. Merrick is originally from Connecticut. She earned her DVM from Colorado State University and recently finished a rotating internship at Auburn University. Her primary clinical interest is in medical oncology. In her free time she loves the beach, mixed martial arts, reality television and spending time with her dog and cat.
Katherine Steadley
DVM (Staff Doctor)
Dr. Steadley is a Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine graduate who completed her clinical training at Louisiana State University. She enjoys traveling, trying her hand at gourmet cooking and spending time at the gym. Her clinical interests include small animal surgery and internal medicine. She likes to take her Catahoula mix to the dog park on the weekends to get out her endless amount of energy.
Sara Cato
DVM (Staff Doctor)
A Georgia “Bulldawg” through and through, Dr. Cato received both her undergraduate and DVM degree from the University of Georgia. When not at work, she takes every chance she can get to get outside with her faithful hiking buddy – Danny, a 25-lb mixed breed dog who adopted Dr. Cato six years ago after he was brought into a clinic by a good Samaritan.
Luke Watson
DVM (Staff Doctor)
Born in Seoul, South Korea, but reared in Knoxville, Tennessee, Dr. Watson stayed in home state to pursue his DVM at the University of Tennessee after receiving his undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech. His wife, also a veterinarian is currently completing her residency at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Watson’s clinical interests are broad, with special attention to small animal surgery. His personal interests, as well as his pets, are equally as broad. Dr. Watson likes to cook, especially anything that he can grill or barbeque, and he also likes to pick a little on guitar. His pets – a green iguana, a pacman frog, 3 snakes and a rescued bull terrier --often have the pleasure of hearing Dr. Watson’s music.
Chelsie Estey
DVM (Staff Doctor)
Dr. Estey is one of several doctors at GVS born under the flag of our Northern “neighbour “country of Canada. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of New Brunswick a master’s degree from the University of Ottawa and a DVM degree from Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island. Dr. Estey’s clinical interests include neurology and neurosurgery. She’s an avid runner and cyclist and when she’s not enjoying the outdoors, she can be found playing with her two dogs and one cat.
Samantha Emch
DVM (Staff Doctor)
A graduate of Ross University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Emch is in the process of specializing in neurology and neurosurgery. She completed clinical training at Purdue University, as well as a rotating internship in small animal medicine, surgery and emergency at Angell Memorial Animal Medical Center in Boston. In her free time, Dr. Emch enjoys yoga and running. She has a German short-haired pointer named Reece.
Betsy Von Trapp
DVM (Staff Doctor)
Dr. Trapp is a Georgia native who grew up in Savannah. She received a BS in History from Boston College and her DVM degree from the University of Georgia. Her clinical interests include neurology and oncology. She likes to travel, hike, run, cook and spend time with friends. She and her husband also keep busy with two sweet but mischievous dogs.
Josh Smith
DVM (Staff Doctor)
Dr. Smith’s love of animals led him to complete his DVM at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada, following a BS in Chemistry from the University of Prince Edward Island. His clinical interests include emergency and critical care medicine, as well as pain management. In his personal time, Dr. Smith keeps in shape with olympic weightlifting and spending time with his two dogs and one cat.
Elizabeth Martin
VMD (Staff Doctor)
Dr. Martin is an Atlanta native who went north to pursue her DVM degree. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine but is naturally thrilled to be back in her hometown. Her clinical interests include emergency and critical care medicine, internal medicine and clinical pathology. In her free time she enjoys knitting and teaching herself to cook, dish-by-dish. She also loves the company of her dog and four cats.