Kara Amstutz, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CVA, CVPP, CCRT
Dr. Kara Amstutz earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri in 2000 and founded Hometown Veterinary Hospital in 2002. She became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist in 2013, a Veterinary Pain Practitioner in 2014, and a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist in 2019. These credentials allowed her to focus on rehabilitation and pain management.
In 2022, she transitioned from full-time clinical practice to become the owner, CEO, and lead clinical instructor at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI), offering postgraduate certifications and continuing education. In 2023, she achieved Diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. In 2024, Dr. Amstutz founded Momentum Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in Springfield, Missouri. Additionally, she lectures nationally and internationally and is active in leadership within sports medicine and rehabilitation organized veterinary medicine.
Brian S. Beale, DVM, DACVS
Dr. Brian Beale received his DVM from the University of Florida in 1985. He completed an internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C., and a surgical residency at the University of Florida. He became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1991.
Dr. Beale was an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine prior to joining Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in 1992. In 2018, Dr. Beale was named a Founding Fellow in Minimally Invasive Surgery – Small Animal Orthopedics (arthroscopy and fracture repair) by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. In 2020, Dr. Beale founded Beale’s Best and Bark City Veterinary Specialists.
Kari Beer, DVM, DACVECC
Education: University of Michigan (BS); Michigan State University (DVM); University of Pennsylvania (Internship & Residency)
Specialty & Preferred Species: Emergency and Critical Care, Canine and Feline
Years in Practice: 14
Hobbies: Traveling, distance running, cooking/baking, reading
Alicia L. Bertone, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR
Dr. Bertone has practiced veterinary medicine since my graduation from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, first as an intern in large animal surgery, then as a resident in equine surgery, and as a faculty member in equine surgery, most notably at the Galbreath Equine Center at Ohio State University. She has been a horse enthusiast her entire life, owning many sport horses, including her capstone experience as a member of the US Polo Association and riding for a competitive Polo League until recently. She remains licensed to practice in NC, FL, and Ohio and as a veterinary official for the Federation Equestrian Internationale and a Permitted Treating Veterinarian for the U.S Equestrian Federation. She was privileged to serve at the World Equestrian Championships in 2019 and 2023.
Throughout her time in practice, she had a strong interest in research that led to serving as a clinician scientist in the Trueman Family Endowed Chair in orthopedics. Over that 10-15 years, her focus was on building an independently funded research laboratory in stem cell and molecular therapeutics, publishing scientific papers, securing patents, and completing over 40 contracts in research for industry. Other highlights were contributing to the Council of Research for the AVMA, receiving the Charles Capen award for teaching and the Pfizer award for Research. Her most treasured role was serving as the advisor for over 20 graduate students and 30 residents in equine surgery, all that have gone on and influenced equine practice and research around the world. Currently, my husband of over 30 years and I split our time between Charlotte and Biali Farms in Tryon NC with our retired horses.
Gina Brandstetter, DVM
Dr. Brandstetter is a graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine with a background in small animal general practice. She is especially interested in the areas of scientific communication, preventive care, and geriatric care. Dr. Brandstetter is passionate about nutrition as a cornerstone of care, which is reflected in her current position as a Professional Consulting Veterinarian at Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
Micah C. Brodsky, VMD
Dr. Micah Brodsky serves as the Veterinary Medical Officer for
Aquaculture with the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB). He earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and BFA from the Tyler School of Art, in Philadelphia. Prior to joining DAB, Micah spent two decades practicing wildlife and aquatic
animal medicine, working at aquariums and zoological institutions (including the Honolulu Zoo) and conducting applied research with free-ranging marine mammals and sea turtles. He has co-authored more than a dozen peer-reviewed research papers, and served as a marine mammal subject matter expert for NOAA to provide support and training across the Northern Gulf of Mexico during the Natural Resource Damage Assessment after the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill. Micah has taught graduate and undergraduate courses on the science, policy, and
regulation of wildlife conservation and natural resources management at UH Mānoa and his favorite thing about teaching is learning with, and from, students and colleagues.
Jacob Brown, VMD, CCRP, cVMA
Dr. Jake Brown earned his Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the College of William and Mary and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. After graduation, he pursued further training by completing an intensive internship at the large specialty/emergency hospital in North Carolina. Upon finishing, he stayed on as an emergency clinician for an additional year. Seeking a change in pace, Dr. Brown and his wife moved to Maui in 2014. He initially worked relief emergency shifts at Veterinary Emergency+Referral Center of Hawaii (VERC) before eventually transitioning to general practice at a progressive small animal hospital on Maui. During his varied experiences, Dr. Brown developed a strong interest in the field of veterinary pain management and canine physical therapy. To further these interests, he subsequently obtained his certification in Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians (cVMA) and Canine Rehabilitation (CCRP) through the University of Tennessee. He is currently seeking certification from the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management to become a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner. He owned and operated a pain management and rehabilitation clinic on Maui for six years before returning to VERC to begin a rehabilitation department.
Kenneth Bruecker, DVM, MS, DACVS, DACVSMR
Dr. Bruecker graduated from the University of California at Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. He received his master of science degree at the completion of a three year surgical residency at Colorado State University and moved back to Ventura County to establish specialty veterinary care. Dr. Bruecker was Founder of the Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (VMSG) in Ventura, California. Dr. Bruecker provided regular surgical support for practices in the state of Hawaii from 1996 through 2022.
The first Small Animal Board Certified Surgeon in California to also become Board Certified in Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation, Dr. Bruecker’s primary clinical interests are sports medicine, minimally invasive orthopedics and advanced orthopedics. He is well respected for his expertise in arthroscopy, limb deformity, disorders of the knee, fracture management and disorders of the spine. He has been an innovator in the development of many new surgical techniques and orthopedic implants, and holds a patent for the first locking Triple Pelvic Osteotomy plate used to treat hip dysplasia.
The Bruecker family owns and operates avocado and citrus farms in Ventura County. His personal interests are classic cars and a variety of outdoor activities.
Anya Cotliarenko, BVetMed, MPVM
Anya Cotliarenko, BVetMed, MPVM, is the Assistant Area Veterinarian-in-Charge for Hawai`i and the Pacific territories for USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (VS), a role she has enjoyed since 2021. Prior to joining VS in 2019 in Southern California, Dr. Cotliarenko worked with FSIS for about 7 years in the same region following completion of her veterinary education in London, a year-long internship in equine medicine and surgery in the Santa Ynez Valley, and a post-doctoral degree in Preventive Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis. Throughout her time supporting the VS mission to protect and improve the health, quality, and marketability of our Nation’s animals across the Pacific, she has responded to both Program Diseases (e.g. bovine tuberculosis) and foreign animal diseases (e.g. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza). While she is ready to manage an animal health emergency, Dr. Cotliarenko much prefers time to collaborate with accredited veterinarians to support Hawai`i’s food security, improve biosecurity practices across industry sectors, and empower young agricultural-sector students in Hawai`i and the Pacific territories.
Ruth Francis-Floyd, DVM, MS, DACZM
Ruth Francis-Floyd is a professor in the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine with a joint appointment in the Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest, Geomatics and Fisheries Science. As an extension veterinarian, her primary expertise is aquaculture production and medicine, but she also has been part of a recent NSF-Funded study exploring the cause of sea urchin mortality in the Caribbean, resulting in a publication in Science Advances in 2023. She has received federal funding through USDA-NIFA to train practicing veterinarians for incorporation of aquaculture clientele into their existing practice. Dr. Francis-Floyd is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and earned a post-DVM Master of Science degree from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She is board-certified by the American College of Zoological Medicine and oversees an ACZM residency training program for aquatic specialists. She has served as president of the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, was certified as a Fish Pathologist by the American Fisheries Society and has been active in the American Association of Fish Veterinarians.
Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD
Dr. Joya Griffin is a wife, a mother, a veterinarian, a lover of fun, sunshine, fashion and sometimes running. She has always loved animals, and becoming a veterinarian seemed a natural fit for her, however, it was never just about the animals. She wanted to help people like her who deeply cared for their pets get the best care they could.
Veterinary dermatology has been one of Dr. Joya’s greatest joys. She chose to pursue it very early on in veterinary school after seeing how the talented doctors at Cornell took her beloved family dog Gizmo and changed her life. She was hairless, stinky with ulcerations on her face. She lived in an e-collar because of how severe her skin was. Within weeks, they were able to clear up her infections and get her itching under control. Her skin healed, her hair regrew, and she came out of an e-collar! Dr. Joya saw firsthand the difference quality specialized care could make, how it saved her life, and she wanted to do that for others. Not only to make their pets look beautiful again, but to give them their quality of life back, restoring the human-animal bond.
Daily Dr. Joya works to transform her patients from stinky, itchy, hairless pets to healthy, happy and often very hairy animals. It’s like Extreme Makeover: the veterinary edition. Restoring a pet’s quality of life gives pet parents their family members back. They are able to be snuggled, cuddled and embraced; it makes them whole again. She is excited to share the wonderful impact dermatologic care can have on pets and their dedicated parents.
Don A. Hulse, DVM, DACVS
Dr. Hulse graduated from Texas A&M in 1970 and completed his surgical training at Kansas State University in 1973. Commencing in 1970 and continuing until his appointment as a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Texas A&M University in 1984, Dr. Hulse served as a clinician in general practice and as a Staff Surgeon at Louisiana State University and Oklahoma State University. He successfully fulfilled the requirements for admission into the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1977. He is a recognized leader in veterinary orthopedics and is frequently an invited speaker at National and International Veterinary conferences. He has developed techniques commonly used for treatment of bone and joint disorders in dogs and is a co-author of Small Animal Arthroscopy. His clinical research interests focus on minimally invasive surgery for joint disorders and for fracture treatment.
Hubert Karreman, VMD, FACVBM
For the entirety of his 30-year career, Dr. Hubert Karreman has practiced integrative medicine — and has professionally bridged conventional and alternative veterinary treatments to colleagues. He is a renowned expert in the non-antibiotic treatment of infectious disease and the non-hormonal treatment of infertility, and has given talks on these topics around the world. During his tenure as chairman of the livestock committee of the National Organic Standards Board from 2005 to 2010, he introduced the now-codified animal welfare standards (7CFR205.240, 241 & 242) and got standard analgesics approved for organic use [7CFR205.603(a)(5),(12),(21),(29),(30)]. His passion remains the promotion of biological and botanical medicines to reduce the use of antibiotics in livestock and the regulatory framework that would allow their use under the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. He continues to explain ways to encourage alternatives to pharmaceutically manufactured antibiotics/hormones for the nation’s food supply. Author of three books on natural dairy cow care, Hue, as he is also known, is often called the “organic vet.” In 2015 he met his now-wife Suzanne at an Acres USA conference and together they operate their 100% grass-fed, A2A2 60-cow dairy in Saxapahaw, NC.
Myron J. Kebus, MS, DVM
Dr. Myron Kebus is an assistant professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University and has been working as the north central regional Aquaculture Outreach Veterinarian since 2022. He has provided extensive direct outreach assistance on fish veterinary concerns to fish farmer and veterinary stakeholders. He is a 1992 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, and received his master’s degree in aquaculture/veterinary science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1990. His masters research investigated stress in rainbow trout, particularly as it pertains to fish hatcheries. In 1993, after a year of mixed animal veterinary practice, he started the Wisconsin Aquatic Veterinary Service, the first fish-only private veterinary practice in the Midwest, and provided veterinary services to fish farms, public aquariums, pet fish retailers, wholesalers, and hobbyists. From 1999 to 2022 he was Wisconsin’s State Fish Health Veterinarian, directing the Fish Health Program for the Division of Animal Health, in the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. He is a founding member and past president of the American Association of Fish Veterinarians. He is the past chair and currently serves of the Aquatic Veterinary Medicine Committee of the AVMA, representing Private and Public Food Animal Production. He is writing a textbook, Aquaculture Veterinary Medicine, for Wiley Publishing with 14 contributing authors.
William Muir, DVM, BS, MS, PhD, Dip ACVAA, Dip ACVECC
Dr Muir is a Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate TN (2020-present). He is a member of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia and a founding member of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. He has practiced equine and small animal anesthesia since 1970 and received the ACVAA Life Time Achievement Award in 2022; Dr Muir participates in the design and conduct of basic, pre-clinical and clinical research studies investigating the safety and efficacy of a wide variety of drugs and devices developed to treat or limit disease, improve the quality of life and increase survival in severely ill or truamatized animals and humans. He has lectured internationally and published extensively in both scientific and clinical veterinary forums on anesthesia and analgesia, pain management critical care, acid-base balance, fluid therapy, and circulatory shock He is the author of over 500 publications (315 refereed scientific manuscripts; 185 periodicals, white papers and book chapters) and three texts published in 7 lanquages (Handbook of Veterinary Anesthesia. 5th ed.; Handbook of Veterinary Pain Management. 3rd ed.; Equine Anesthesia: Monitoring and Emergency Therapy) He has also written two small animal (i.e. dog and cat) anesthetic and pain management manuals now in their 3rd edition.
Katie Mullins, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA
Education: DVM – Mississippi State University, Internship – Atlantic Veterinary College, Residency – Mississippi State University
Specialty & Preferred Species: Small Animal Surgery, Companion Animal
Years in Practice: 17
Hobbies: Flying, scuba diving, traveling, spending time with my family, reading, gardening, working out
Kenneth Pierce, DVM, MS, DACVO
Dr. Pierce received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine and then traveled to Southern
California to complete a specialty ophthalmology internship with Eye Care for Animals and B. Braun, Inc. He then completed a four-year comparative ophthalmology residency with a master’s degree at Michigan State University. Dr. Pierce then became an Associate Professor at LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine and then transitioned to private practice at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, NJ, Veterinary Eye Institute, in Plano, TX, and then starting his own business, Veterinary Vision Center, in Shreveport, LA. As you can see, Dr. Pierce has lived in every region of the United States and has gained valuable experience to educate and empower the veterinary community.
Denise Rollings, AAS, CVT, VTS (Dentistry)
Denise is a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) who is dedicated to improving the oral health of animals. She graduated with honors from Madison Area Technical College in 2001 with her Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. After trying out various fields of veterinary medicine, she found her true calling in dentistry and pursued her VTS in Dentistry through the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians (AVDT) in 2014.
Denise founded Pet Dental Education, LLC in 2017 to promote education and innovation in veterinary dentistry. She provides on-site training to veterinary hospitals all over the country, aiming to improve the standards of dental care for animals. Additionally, she has served as a dental educator for several companies, teaching and inspiring others with her expertise. Denise has taught and assisted in over 200 lectures and wet labs over the years.
Denise’s love for animals doesn’t just end when the workday is over. She shares her home in Fort Myers, Florida, with her husband and beloved fur babies. Among them, her cherished cat Spaulding holds a special place in her heart—so much so that if she could, she’d marry him. Her adventurous spirit has led her to study anthropology, with a special focus on New World primates. She even spent time in the Peruvian Amazon studying macaws, despite facing challenges such as battling leishmaniasis twice. However, one thing she won’t adventure into is the kitchen—she openly admits to hating cooking.
Heather Ann Scott RVT, LVT, VTS-ECC
Heather, a San Clemente-born California native, began her career in veterinary medicine as an assistant in general practice in 1996. She branched out into her first referral hospital after a year and a half and spent 3 years training and learning the ways of referral practice medicine ranging from ICU, CCU, Oncology, and MRI. Heather quickly fell in love with emergency and critical care and continued her career path by working in both general practice and referral hospitals eventually obtaining her RVT in California. She ultimately chose to return to specialty medicine full-time and decided to specialize in emergency and critical care. Heather also worked in the state of Nevada obtaining her LVT and then passing her VTSECC exam in 2018. Heather has written articles for two nationally published technician journals and has been an active member of the AVECCTN credentials committee for the last 3 years. Heather is a certified BLS/ALS RECOVER CPR instructor and currently holds the position of technician learning and development specialist at Ethos Veterinary Emergency and Referral Center of Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Her hobbies include snuggling with her kitten Ollie, professional photography, martial arts, snowboarding, free diving, hiking, archery, surfing, and enjoying the beautiful state of Hawaii with her husband Josh any time she gets a chance.
Esteban Soto, PhD, DVM, MSc., Dipl. ACVM, Dipl. ABVP (Fish Practice), CertAqV
Dr. Esteban Soto received his veterinary degree from Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica in 2005. He earned his Master’s degree in Veterinary Medical Science (Aquatic Pathobiology) from the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007, and a PhD in Pathobiological Sciences from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. After completion of his PhD, Dr. Soto joined the Ross University-School of Veterinary Medicine as an Assistant, then Associate Professor of Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology from 2010-2015. In 2015 he joined the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of
California – Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, where he currently works as a Professor of Aquatic Animal Health. Dr. Soto is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists with subspecialties in Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology and Veterinary Immunology and is also board certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Fish Practice). His main research interests are the pathogenesis of important infectious diseases of wild and aquatic animals and the development of best management strategies for prevention and treatment of these diseases.
Jennifer Stokes, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), Clinical Professor
Education: Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Specialty & Preferred Species: Small Animal Internal Medicine
Years in Practice: 29
Hobbies: Gardening, hiking, catering to my chickens and cats
Raquel Wong, DVM
Raquel Wong has been with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for almost 25 years and has a wide breath of experience within the Animal Industry Division working in all branches of the Division. Dr. Wong graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in veterinary medicine and earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dr. Wong enjoys spending her free time with family both on Oahu and the Big Island, caring for 3 large dogs, and many hobbies.
Bonnie Wright, DVM, DACVAA
Dr. Bonnie Wright was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She accomplished her DVM at Colorado State University and a residency in Anesthesia and Critical Patient Care at The University of California, Davis. She has lived in Colorado since 2001, and part-time in Hawaii since 2017. Dr. Wright is board certified in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. She has earned certificates in Medical Acupuncture, Veterinary Pain Practitioner, Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and advanced training in canine musculo-skeletal imaging and regenerative medicine.
She practices and teaches in the areas of anesthesia, pain medicine, the science of non-pharmaceutical pain medicine, evidence-based acupuncture, regenerative medicine and rehabilitation. Balancing love of both teaching and practice, she constantly learns from both her patients and her students. She is the lead faculty for the Evidence Based Veterinary Acupuncture program.
She has two adult sons, several wonderful dogs, half of a horse, and an unknown number of wild hogs and turkeys. She spends time exercising and building her off-grid Hawaiian farm with her wife and scent-trained service dogs.
Roy Yanong, VMD
Dr. Roy Yanong received his V.M.D. in 1992 from the University of Pennsylvania. From 1992-1996, he served as staff veterinarian for an ornamental fish farm/wholesaler in Florida. In 1996 he moved to the University of Florida’s Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory where he provides extension, research, and educational programs in fish and aquatic invertebrate health and disease, including on-site veterinary assistance and diagnostics. Roy enjoys working with aquaculturists, aquatic facilities, students, veterinarians, other fish health professionals, and state and federal agencies in Florida, nationally, and internationally. Roy is a past chair of the AVMA Aquatic Veterinary Medicine Committee and currently Aquatics Working Group lead for the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia. Co-founder (2012) and past president (2013) of the American Association of Fish Veterinarians, he co-chaired development of the new ABVP Fish Practice Veterinary Specialty (2023).
In addition to co-authoring The Aquarium Fish Medicine Handbook, Roy has authored numerous book chapters, refereed journal publications, conference proceedings, and outreach publications on fish and aquatic invertebrate health and disease management. Roy used to have a menagerie of fresh and saltwater aquaria, snakes, lizards, frogs, a cockatiel (that could whistle the theme from “Hawai’i 5-0”, and a German Shepherd…but now enjoys the animals of friends, work, and clients. Host of the Aquariumania podcast on the PetLifeRadio network, he also enjoys singing, guitar, and piano; kayak fishing and primitive camping; scuba diving and boot camp workouts; and good crime and science fiction.
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