Resides in: McKinney, Texas
Present Position: Trust Veterinarian, AVMA Professional Liability Insurance Trust
Practice Type: Industry
School and Year of Graduation: Texas A&M University, 1998
AAEP Service:
- Foundation Development Council (2023-present)
- AAEP Governance Task Force (2024)
- Chair, Welfare & Public Policy Advisory Council (2015-2017)
- Member, Welfare & Public Policy Advisory Council (2012-2014)
- Member, Leadership Development Committee (2011-2015)
- AAEP Delegate to AVMA House of Delegates (2013-2017)
- AAEP Alternate Delegate to AVMA House of Delegates (2007-2013)
- Member of the Membership Committee (2007-2011)
- Member of the Public Policy Committee (2004-2010)
- Founding member of Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign Committee (UHVRC)
- Attended AAEP Congressional Fly-in (2006-2008)
- Attended Leadership Development Workshop (2006)
Professional Life/Community and Professional Volunteer Service:
- 1998 –One of the two first ambulatory interns at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital; focused on reproduction, herd health and sales radiographs.
- 1999 – After internship, worked for Dr. Larry Bramlage as his assistant for 2 years doing lameness and orthopedic work.
- 2001 – Ambulatory practice for Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital mainly farm back up, sales radiographs, reproduction and herd health.
- 2002 – Started own practice as resident veterinarian Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, KY; managed the herd health of around 600 horses in three divisions of the farm, performed neonatal checks, managed the breeding shed with 17 stallions, yearling radiographs at Oak Tree division and emergencies.
- 2005 – Moved to San Juan Capistrano and joined Dr. Mark Secor’s practice as an associate veterinarian doing a broad-based ambulatory practice.
- After a health disability, joined industry in 2006 as an equine technical services veterinarian with Intervet, which now is Merck Animal Health. While at Merck created a joint marketing initiative with AAEP, the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign, to provide vaccines to qualifying equine rescue & retirement facilities.
- Received Insights Practitioner certification 2015
- 2017 joined AVMA PLIT as a Trust Veterinarian where duties include visiting veterinary schools to speak in the curriculum on educating students on risk management, veterinary malpractice, professional liability, ethics and communication; review all species malpractice claims; advocate for veterinarians; speak at regional and national conferences; and guide veterinarians through difficult claim situations.
- Past member of Indiana VMA (Legislative Committee)
- AVMA & TVMA member and on TVMA’s Governmental Relations Committee (2023-present).
- 2006-2009 Traveled to Nicaragua with Christian Veterinary Mission on several missions to teach sustainable agriculture and veterinary skills to remote health care providers.
- Volunteer with Life Church, McKinney, TX
- Volunteer with Canine Companions for Independence
Why do you want to serve on the board?
I would like to serve on the board to be an advocate and a voice for our members and the horse. Being on the Governance Task Force last year, I saw how vitally important it is to the association to have different perspectives when creating and guiding the organization through policy creation and especially times of change. The task force represented all aspects of the profession, and we came together through robust discussion, which at times was difficult but always respectful and, in the end, we considered all the facts from member surveys and collective experiences to bring forth necessary governance changes to the association that were voted on by the general membership recently this year. Therefore, continuing to ensure that our members’ voices are heard and understood at the board level is a personal goal of mine.
In addition, while serving as AAEP’s Delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates and as the Chair of the Welfare & Public Policy Advisory Council, I learned how critical it is that the equine veterinarian’s voice is not only at the table of creating policy but that all the stakeholders understand the practice of equine veterinary medicine. Currently, as a member of TVMA’s Governmental Relations Committee, we consider many scope of practice issues and help to lobby against outside entities wanting to either encroach on veterinary medicine or dictate how it is done. Having AAEP members that are knowledgeable on these fronts that can bring this level of expertise and engagement to board discussion is valuable to the work and policies created. Equine practitioners are facing many unique challenges from workforce and wellness issues to succession planning, finances, welfare and scope of practice issues, and having the opportunity to serve on the AAEP board would allow my experiences and perspectives to affect positive change for the association.
Lastly, being a member of AAEP since graduation has been a tremendous experience and one that I am truly grateful for. AAEP has developed me both professionally and personally, and I have many lifelong relationships and friendships all due to AAEP. So, to be able to give back and serve the association in this capacity on the board would be an incredible honor and privilege all while serving the horse, the profession that I love, as well as other equine colleagues. I would welcome the opportunity to give back in this meaningful way to an association that has done so much for me personally, the horse and all equine practitioners.
What attributes would you bring to the board?
I am very humbled by this opportunity and if selected I would do my best to represent all AAEP members. Leading with a servant heart has been an attribute that I strive for daily. I try to listen and learn first and then give a thoughtful approach to decision making and problem solving. My journey as an equine practitioner has been a diverse one from experiences in clinical practice working for a large practice, small practice and then owning my own practice to the roles that I’ve held in industry and as a volunteer leader. These experiences will provide perspective and context to the board on many different aspects of the profession that impact equine veterinarians. I also enjoy working collaboratively to achieve shared goals and will draw on my past leadership roles to guide the work on the board.
I have a passion for helping equine veterinarians and students, and I utilize that passion in my current position at the AVMA Trust by helping equine practitioners navigate what is quite possibly their worst day in practice. I strive to listen and learn with empathy, compassion, and kindness. As well, I am a sounding bound as someone who has been in practice and as a result understands the complexities of the equine practitioner. These qualities give me a depth of understanding to engage in these difficult conversations and will be an asset to the board discussions.
Since graduating from veterinary school, I have remained active and engaged in the equine profession and the AAEP attending every convention except one since 1998. I am committed to staying focused on discovering new and innovative ways to serve the association and our members. When engaging with industry stakeholders, policymakers or other veterinary colleagues, I have always kept AAEP and the equine practitioner top of mind.
Finally, the future of our association lies with our next generation of practitioners, and my experience working and educating students will lend insight into the challenges and needs of students and recent graduates. It is these attributes along with a true passion and desire to see AAEP and its members be successful for generations to come that I will focus on as a member of the AAEP Board. Thank you!
