VHC - Key Persons
Aida I. Vientós-Plotts specializes in small animal internal medicine with interest in respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases and the link between these two systems in health and disease. Her research interests include investigation of the respiratory microbiota in health and infectious or inflammatory airway diseases of dogs and cats, influence of antimicrobials and probiotics on the respiratory microbiota and distant sites. She also has a passion for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary profession.
Alexandra Warren is originally from Calgary, Canada, but spent most of her childhood living overseas. She grew up riding horses, primarily English show jumpers. Warren returned to Canada in 2014 to begin her university studies. She graduated with her doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, in June 2020. Following graduation, she completed a one-year equine surgical internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, and recently finished an equine rotating internship here at Mizzou. She plans to pursue an equine surgery residency following her specialty internship in surgery and emergency medicine. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, baking and reading.
A graduate of Cornell University (BS) and the University of Missouri (DVM), Alison LaCarrubba completed specialty training at MU. She joined the MU faculty in 2003. LaCarrubba works both with the equine ambulatory and internal medicine services. Among her clinical interests are equine dentistry, both routine and referral.
Born in Manhattan, NY, Allison moved several times from Brooklyn, New York, Fuzhou (China), St Louis, and now Columbia. She grew up as a first-generation Asian American in an immigrant family. Allison was the first in her family to graduate college in May of 2024. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Science and Management with an emphasis in Fisheries and Wildlife. Allison plans to attend veterinary school with an emphasize in wildlife veterinary medicine, particularly marine mammals. She plans to do a portion of her vet school abroad to gain a broader perspective on wildlife vet med practices.
Alyson Zawisza grew up in Moodus, Connecticut, before attending Becker College in Massachusetts. While there, she played on the women's soccer team and was an active member of the Pre-Veterinary Club and the Marine Wildlife Conservation Club. She graduated with a bachelor of science degree with a pre-veterinary concentration. After being accepted to the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, she moved to Missouri to begin her career in the veterinary field. In her free time, Zawisza enjoys spending time with friends and her cat, Sebastian.
Job Titles:
- Cashier and Front Desk Supervisor
Amy Molitoris was born and raised in northeastern Pennsylvania and completed her undergraduate education at the University of Pittsburgh. She earned her DVM from Cornell University in 2018, completed a small animal rotating internship at Oradell Animal Hospital in northern New Jersey in 2019, and finished her three-year Emergency and Critical Care Residency at Tufts University in 2022. She joined the team at MU in the fall of 2022. Outside of work she enjoys exploring Columbia and the surrounding areas, reading, and playing the cello.
Anna Duh graduated from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine prior to completing a rotating internship at BluePearl Kirkland outside of Seattle, Washington. She then went on to complete an Internal Medicine specialty internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC. Originally from Maryland, she is excited to explore Missouri and join the University of Missouri Internal Medicine department as a resident! Her favorite part of her job is client education and her long-term relationship with patients. When Dr. Duh isn't working, she enjoys maintaining freshwater aquariums, playing video and board games, and hiking. She is accompanied by her partner and their two cats, Ori and Pommie.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Clinical Services
Belinda Tedder, DVM, is from Mena, Arkansas. She received her bachelor's degree in biology in 1996. She studied at Louisiana State University in the Epidemiology and Community Health Program, where her research was on Bartonella henselae transmission and antibody protection. Tedder graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2004, spending her clinical year at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation from veterinary school, she completed a small animal rotating internship in southern California. Tedder has practiced emergency and critical care medicine at private practice specialty hospitals in southern California since 2006. She has also served as the medical director for specialty hospitals. Tedder joined the MU Veterinary Health Center faculty in 2021 as a clinical instructor in the Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Service. She enjoys teaching and continuing to learn in the field of veterinary emergency and critical care medicine. She is excited to be back home working and close to her family. She enjoys spending her free time on the family farm and hanging out with family, fur babies and friends.
Briana Lippert hails from the central coast of California. After receiving her undergraduate education from the University of California, Berkeley, she spent a few years working at a small animal veterinary clinic. She then earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in 2022 and completed her rotating internship at Colorado State University. As a small animal internal medicine resident at the University of Missouri, she enjoys caring for patients of all sizes with a variety of conditions. When not at the VHC, you might find her at a coffee shop, walking/running/biking Columbia's many outside trails, splashing in a body of water, or watching movies at home with her blind cat, Queenie.
Born and raised in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, Brooke has been passionate about veterinary medicine for as long as she can remember. With six years of experience in general practice as a veterinary assistant, she developed a strong interest in advanced medicine, particularly in emergency and critical care, internal medicine, and cardiology.
Brooke plans to begin tech school in August to become a Registered Veterinary Technician, with the ultimate goal of becoming a Veterinary Technician Specialist. She also aspires to take on a mentorship role in the future, helping to educate and support others in the field.
Dedicated to providing the highest standard of patient care, Brooke finds the most fulfillment in hands-on care with patients. At home, she has a full house with five large dogs and six cats, and a special love for senior and neonatal pets. She frequently fosters bottle kittens and hopes to one day establish a nonprofit focused on neonatal care and providing financial assistance for veterinary care to pets and owners in need. Outside of work, Brooke enjoys spending most of her time with her wonderfully supportive husband. Together they like to hike and swim with their dogs, and even take their adventurous cats on leash walks.
Bryan Shedd was born and raised in Holly Pond, Alabama. He attended Auburn University for both his undergraduate education and veterinary school, graduating with his DVM in 2003. He completed an internship at 6666 Ranch before settling in San Antonio, Texas, to practice equine medicine. In 2005 he welcomed triplets, and another son in 2006, which led him to begin practicing small animal medicine to balance family and work life. In 2007 he began teaching ultrasonography to other veterinarians for Sound-Eklin in Arlington, Texas, and later joined an emergency practice in San Antonio. Shedd has practiced emergency and critical care medicine since 2009. In 2015 he moved to Birmingham, Alabama, to be closer to family. He joined the MU Veterinary Health Center faculty in 2022 as a clinical instructor in the Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Service. He has a passion for teaching and learning which is why he pursued a position in academia. He lives with his wife and four children, as well as his corgi, Sully, who can be found at work with him each day. When not working he enjoys gardening, hiking, fishing, and cycling.
Carol Reinero specializes in small animal internal medicine with special interests in respiratory medicine and a particular focus on lower airway disorders and interstitial lung diseases. Her research interests include investigations of novel diagnostics and therapeutics for feline asthma and the canine and feline respiratory microbiome. She also collaborates with other clinician scientists to characterize immune responses in cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, even those not directly related to the lungs.
Reinero received a doctor of veterinary medicine and PhD in immunology from the University of California, Davis, where she also completed a small animal internal medicine residency.
She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and a former president of the Veterinary Comparative Respiratory Society.
When she isn't working, she enjoys traveling, cooking, reading and teaching her two children all about the lung.
Job Titles:
- Business Support Specialist
Chandra Nicole graduated from the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus with a bachelor's degree in veterinary technology. Her passion is providing quality care for patients and working in an environment that provides the most modern tools, techniques, equipment and professional guidance, allowing her to offer the best possible medical response for the quick and safe recovery of critical patients. Nicole enjoys spending her free time with her family, friends and especially her dog, Kyro. She enjoys exercise and is an avid bike rider and hiker. She is also a professional dog groomer and maintains her skills practicing with Kyro, who is a poodle.
Job Titles:
- Office Support Assistant III
Christina Emfinger is an assistant in the Veterinary Health Center ICU, a position she has held since graduating high school. Along with her family, she relocated to Columbia, Missouri, from Monroe, Louisiana. She began taking veterinary classes during her sophomore year of high school with plans to attend a veterinary technician program. She is particularly interested in neurology and cardiology. She currently lives in Boonville with her German shepherd named Adonis.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Clinical Services
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing and Communications
Internal Medicine is now at the Veterinary Health Center in Wentzville. Dr. Ashley Anderson is a University of Missouri-affiliated veterinary internist that has started an internal medicine service in metro St. Louis. She is able to perform advanced diagnostics and has access to other University specialty services for consultation.
Ashley Anderson was born and raised in Texas and received her bachelor's degree from Texas A&M. She then moved to the Midwest where she received her DVM degree from Kansas State University in 2020. During her time in vet school she developed a passion for internal medicine and became interested in specializing. She then completed a rotating internship at the University of Missouri and stayed on to complete a residency in small animal internal medicine. After meeting her fiancé during residency, she decided Columbia was a good fit and is excited to be joining the internal medicine team as a clinical instructor.
During internship and residency, Anderson developed a love of teaching students and other house officers and is looking forward to continuing to teach through her new position. She has a special interest in gastrointestinal and endocrine diseases as well as interventional procedures. In her spare time, Anderson enjoys reading, traveling, trying new recipes, watching her favorite TV shows, and spending time with her fiancé and their three dogs (Scarlett, Max, and Rhett,) and one cat (Melly).
Dr. Dana Jarigese was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, earned her Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science from Colorado State University in 2015 and her Master's Degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Northern Colorado in 2017. She attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, went to the University of Missouri for her 4 th year clinical rotations, and was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. Dr. Jarigese's professional interests include veterinary ophthalmology and feline medicine.
Outside of work, Dana enjoys baking, hiking and camping, reading, and playing video games. She and her fiancé have three dogs and a cat, all of whom are spoiled rotten!
Job Titles:
- Clinical Instructor of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care
Elizabeth Easley was born and raised in Joplin, Missouri. She attended Mizzou for undergraduate and veterinary school, graduating from the CVM in 2003. She then completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery in Mesa, Arizona. Following her internship, she stayed in Arizona as an emergency clinician at VCA Animal Referral and Emergency Center of Arizona. She returned to join the Mizzou SAECC service as a faculty emergency clinician in 2015. Outside of work, Easley enjoys spending time with her family (including a three-legged rescue dog and two cats), hiking, reading and listening to music.
Job Titles:
- Project Support Coordinator
Originally from Colorado, Dr. Hannah Leventhal attended Kansas State University for college (B.S. Animal Science with Equine Science Certificate) and veterinary school (DVM, 2016). Upon graduation with her DVM in 2016, she spent one year at a rotating internship at a private practice in North Carolina, at which time she became an FEI Permitted Treating Veterinarian, often working with top sport horses in a variety of disciplines. After completion of her internship, Dr. Leventhal moved to Kentucky for a one-year long specialty equine internal medicine fellowship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, during which time she enjoyed working with equids of all varieties, including top Thoroughbred racehorses and lots of foals! In 2018, Dr. Leventhal moved to Virgina to begin her next career adventure as a large animal internal medicine resident at Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virgina. Dr. Leventhal's interests include neonatology, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease and colic, and emergency medicine and critical care. Dr. Leventhal has a passion for teaching and enjoys the opportunities for teaching and interacting with students. Providing individualized care to each patient and owner is always a priority, and Dr. Leventhal enjoys helping owners in their animal's time of need. In July 2021, Dr. Leventhal completed her residency training and graduated with a Master's in Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences from Virginia Tech. Dr. Leventhal became a board certified diplomate of the ACVIM in large animal internal medicine in 2023. From 2021-2024, Dr. Leventhal was in private practice in Nevada, often serving as the treatment and head veterinarian for endurance rides, serving as the treatment veterinarian for Reno Rodeo, and working with a variety of large animals, from llamas and alpacas to goats and equids of all kinds-wild mustangs, sport horses, pleasure horses, draft horses, and more. Dr. Leventhal is excited to join the MU team, serving on the Equine Emergency service and also on the Equine Medicine service.
Job Titles:
- Registered Veterinary Technician
Hannah Sisco is a registered veterinary technician in the Small Animal and Critical Care Service. She graduated from the Crowder College Veterinary Technology Program in 2023 and received her Associate of Applied Science degree. She spent the summer of 2022 attending MU's summer externship program, and decided the university was the place for her after graduation. She is currently working on obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology degree. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, taking care of her many plants and loving her two animals, Delilah and Penelope.
Heather Reid grew up in the state of Delaware before heading to Arizona for veterinary school. She graduated from Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2023 and then moved back to the east coast to complete a rotating internship at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts. She is excited to join the Internal Medicine team at Mizzou as a Resident. She is joined in Missouri by her dog, Alvin, and her two cats, Suki and Claire. When not in the hospital, she enjoys classical ballet, reading, and going on hikes with her dog.
Hope Larson started in veterinary medicine in 2011 and graduated from McLennan Community College Veterinary Technology Program of Waco, Texas, in 2013. She acquired her lifetime love of animals and veterinary medicine from her parents, both MU VHC faculty, Richard Meadows, DVM, and Jackie Kleypas, DVM (retired). Larson has worked at several different general practice clinics and ultimately found her love in emergency and critical care when she started in the ICU at Kansas State University. She decided to return home and continue her love of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care at the MU VHC in 2017, where she worked full time in ICU for a year until she welcomed her first son, Liam, in 2018. She currently resides in Warrensburg, Missouri, with her husband, Cody, a proud Air Force service member, their son, Liam, dog, Avery, and two cats, Lenny, and Kenny. She continues to work at a busy small animal general practice in Lee's Summit and comes back to continue her love of SAECC at the MU VHC as a relief technician. She most enjoys patient care and has a special interest in internal medicine and toxicology.
Iliana Navarro, DVM, graduated from the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University. Born and raised in New Jersey, she was happy to complete a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital. Throughout school and her internship, she fostered a passion for internal medicine. She is excited to be joining the team at the University of Missouri to continue her specialty training in Internal medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys trying out new restaurants or cooking at home, watching her favorite TV shows, and spending quality time with her partner and her cat, Nacho.
Sutphin grew up in Waynesville, Missouri, and has lived in Columbia for several years. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 2020 with a degree in agriculture, with an emphasis in natural resource management and environmental ethics. Sutphin has always known he wanted to work with animals. He previously worked for Second Chance animal rescue coordinating cat and dog adoptions. He has also worked as a veterinary assistant at a local clinic. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his friends, his wife, and his three dogs, Molly the great Dane, Turk the boxer, and Dana the mastiff.
Jason Eberhardt specializes in small animal internal medicine with interests in hepatic disease, immune-mediated disease and abdominal ultrasound. He has an extensive background in both academia and private practice. He returned to the University of Missouri for the opportunity to teach veterinary students and house officers again.
Eberhardt received a bachelor of science degree from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. He then obtained his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Colorado State University. Following graduation, Eberhardt completed a small animal rotating internship at The Ohio State University before coming to the University of Missouri for a residency in small animal internal medicine. Following residency, he went into private practice before entering academia as a faculty member at the Midwestern University from 2016 to 2020. After leaving Midwestern University, he started his own internal medicine practice in Phoenix, which he still owns and operates. He returned to University of Missouri as an assistant teaching professor in the fall of 2022.
Job Titles:
- Referring Vet Communications Coordinator
Jerry Toporis, DVM, was born and raised in the Chicago area. He attended the University of Missouri for both his undergraduate degree and professional veterinary education. He was a Veterinary Health Center employee throughout his time at Mizzou, first as an animal caretaker and then during his clinical years as a veterinary assistant in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care. His clinical interests include point-of-care ultrasonography and trauma cases.
Jo Murdoch received her DVM degree from Oregon State University and was a lifelong Oregonian prior to her commencing a rotating internship at Louisiana State University. She then went on to complete her residency in small animal internal medicine at the University of Georgia prior to joining the internal medicine team at Mizzou. Her clinical areas of interest include hepatology and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; however, as an internal medicine specialist, she enjoys all aspects of managing multisystemic disease processes and sharing her enthusiasm for medicine with students, intern, and residents. When not at work, Murdoch spends her time getting lost in the outdoors (mentally and sometimes physically), spending time with friends and family, and enjoying all aspects of fine arts.
Job Titles:
- Teaching Professor, Equine - Surgery / Interim Assistant Dean of Clinical Education
A graduate of the University of Minnesota (DVM) and the University of St. Catherine (BA), Joanne Kramer completed specialty training at the University of Missouri. She joined the MU faculty in 1997. Her research interests are in veterinary education, lameness and podiatry. Her clinical interests include equine surgery, podiatry and student education.
Job Titles:
- Business Support Specialist III
Kelly Gravitt is from southern Illinois. She attended the University of Missouri where she received a bachelor's degree in biology. She stayed at MU to attend the College of Veterinary Medicine and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2019. Gravitt continued her veterinary training at the MU Veterinary Health Center with a rotating equine internship and a field service residency. She has achieved certification as a member of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners with a specialty in equine practice. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two Australian shepherds.
Job Titles:
- Professor, Equine - Surgery / Director of E. Paige Laurie Endowed Equine Lameness Program
A graduate of the University of Missouri (BS, DVM) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (MS), Kevin G. Keegan completed residency training at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He joined the MU faculty in 1990. His research interests are development of objective methods of lameness evaluation in horses and methods of wireless transmission of biological signals for health monitoring. His clinical interest is in equine lameness.
Kile Townsend earned a bachelor of science degree at the University of New Hampshire and a doctor of veterinary medicine degree at the University of Prince Edward Island's Atlantic Veterinary College. She then completed an internship and large animal internal medicine residency training at the University of Missouri. Townsend is pursuing additional postgraduate training in veterinary education via the Royal Veterinary College and enjoys working as part of the Equine Internal Medicine Service at MU. Clinical interests include equine neonatology, ophthalmology, equine critical care, and emergency medicine.
Job Titles:
- Business Support Specialist III
Kristen McCurdy grew up in Weatherford, Texas. She earned a bachelor of science in biology degree with an equine minor from Stephens College in 2015 and her veterinary degree from the University of Edinburgh in 2019. Following graduation, she completed rotating internships at Equine Sports Medicine & Surgery in Weatherford, Texas, in 2020, at the University of Missouri in 2021, and at Louisiana State University in 2022) McCurdy has returned to the University of Missouri for a residency in equine surgery. She has specific interests in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, veterinary education, and septic arthritis research. In her free time, she enjoys rugby, weightlifting, video gaming, and spending time with friends.
Kristen McCurdy grew up in Weatherford, Texas. She earned a bachelor of science in biology degree with an equine minor from Stephens College in 2015 and her veterinary degree from the University of Edinburgh in 2019. Following graduation, she completed rotating internships at Equine Sports Medicine & Surgery in Weatherford, Texas, in 2020, at the University of Missouri in 2021, and at Louisiana State University in 2022) McCurdy has returned to the University of Missouri for a residency in equine surgery. She has specific interests in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, veterinary education, and septic arthritis research. In her free time, she enjoys rugby, weightlifting, video gaming, and spending time with friends.
Laura Nafe specializes in small animal internal medicine with interests in infectious disease, immune-mediated disease, and interventional procedures. She has lectured regionally and nationally on various topics related to small animal internal medicine. She also has a passion for teaching and mentoring veterinary students and house officers.
Lauren Sanner was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and moved to Columbia in 2004. She has been working as a veterinary assistant for almost four years. She transferred to the University of Missouri in 2020 and began working in the Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Service in 2021. She plans to attend veterinary school to obtain her DVM degree, and one day hopes to return to Wisconsin and open a clinic. She has four cats at home, Evie, Katie, Chip and Charlie. Outside of work she enjoys being with friends and family, hiking, lake trips and relaxing.
Laurie Frasher was raised on a beef farm in Leeton, Missouri. She received her bachelor of arts degree in 2003 at Central Missouri State University where her dual majors were in biology and music. She worked as a wildlife technician participating in field research on forest bats for three years, then explored another career path as a choral music teacher in a public school in Arkansas for two years.
Her desire to explore medicine and work with animals led her to veterinary school and she completed her DVM degree with honors at the University of Missouri in May 2012. She completed her small animal rotating internship at VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle in June 2013 and an emergency and critical care specialty internship at the University of Georgia in July 2014. At that time, she returned to the Seattle area as an emergency and critical care veterinarian at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle, serving as ER/CC department lead for five years. Feeling a desire to revisit her passion for teaching, she returned to her alma mater to join the MU Veterinary Health Center's Emergency and Critical Care Service. Her professional interests include feline medicine, specifically urinary obstruction and constipation, shock, sepsis, and internal medicine critical care cases. In her spare time, Frasher enjoys exploring local culture and scenery with her partner, Jim, spending time with her rescue cats and dogs, reading, swimming, scuba diving, and playing video and board games.
Leah Cohn specializes in small animal internal medicine with special interests in the treatment of infectious, immune-mediated, and respiratory diseases. She has a particular focus on developing better prevention and treatment of feline cytauxzoonosis, commonly known as bobcat fever, which was first documented in Missouri in the 1970s.
Cohn received her bachelor's degree and doctor of veterinary medicine from the University of Tennessee. She completed an internship and residency in small animal medicine and surgery at North Carolina State University, along with a PhD in veterinary microbiology and immunology.
Cohn is a former president and chair of the Board of Regents of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. When she isn't working, she loves to spend time with her husband and children, as well her dogs, cats, chickens, goats, sheep and llamas.
Leah Sabath was raised in Columbia, Missouri. She has always been fascinated with the MU Veterinary Health Center since her first time attending Open House events. As a young child, she hoped that one day she could be a part of the hospital's fantastic team. She graduated from the Moberly Area Community College Veterinary Technician Program in 2023 with an associate degree and started working at the VHC. She plans to further her education by earning a bachelor's degree and work toward becoming a veterinary technician specialist. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking, hiking, and being with her four cats.
Logan Johnson was born and raised in Kansas City and is now a senior at Columbia College, majoring in biology. He has wanted to work with animals his entire life, and after graduation he hopes to go on to veterinary school at Mizzou. During his time in high school and during school breaks, he worked as a kennel attendant at a veterinary clinic in Kearny, Missouri. He recently moved to Columbia permanently with his girlfriend, Lilly. Johnson has a cat named Casper, a white and orange flame point. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, exercising, baking, and reading.
Job Titles:
- Business Support Specialist
Ever since Louis Luttrell was a young child, he dreamed of working with animals. He grew up in an animal-loving family whose members rescued animals of all shapes and sizes. While working part time as a kennel technician, he rediscovered his passion for animals and the veterinary medicine industry. During high school Luttrell was part of a robotics team and learned about the veterinary technician career path through a friend who was also involved in robotics. He plans to attend Moberly Area Community College's Veterinary Technology Program, earn his associate of applied science degree, and continue his career in emergency veterinary services.
Outside of work, he enjoys painting, crocheting, robotics, and spending time with his two dogs and cat, Frost, Chilli, and Feather.
Lyndsey Hayden grew up on a small farm in Wallingford, Connecticut. She attended the University of Vermont, where she received a bachelor's degree in animal science. She then received her DVM in May 2017 from Auburn University. After graduation, she completed an equine surgery internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. After completing her internship at HEMI, Hayden completed a rotating equine medicine, ambulatory and surgery internship at the University of Missouri. She is continuing her training at Mizzou through an equine surgical residency. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and hiking with her dog.
A graduate of North Dakota State University (BS) and the University of Missouri (DVM, MPH), Lynn Martin completed an equine private practice internship in San Antonio, Texas before returning to Mizzou for a residency in large animal internal medicine with an equine emphasis. Martin provides veterinary care on the equine internal medicine service and is completing a PhD. Research interests include comparative ophthalmology, equine microbiome and laminitis. Clinical interests include equine ophthalmology, gastroenterology, endocrinology and student education.
Mariangely Torres Rodríguez was born and raised in Puerto Rico. In 2019 she received her bachelor's degree as a veterinary technologist from the University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus. While studying, she worked with laboratory animals and volunteered on multiple events providing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics around Puerto Rico. She also completed her clinical practice in Veterinary Specialty Hospital and was staff member of Animal Emergency Clinic. In July of 2019 after graduating, she moved to Missouri and joined the MU VHC as part of the Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care team. Her goal is to keep growing within the profession and help provide veterinary specialty services to her island at some point in the future. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, cooking, crafting, exploring nature, traveling, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets.
Martha Scharf is an equine ambulatory veterinarian at the MU Equine Hospital, traveling to provide routine and emergency veterinary care to the horses of mid-Missouri. She grew up in St. Louis, riding and training hunter-jumpers. Since moving to Columbia for college, she has continued to ride recreationally, with a mix of jumping, eventing and trail riding. She also serves as a faculty advisor for the vet college's mascot mules, Tim and Terry, who have taught her the basics of driving and the intricacies of mules.
She graduated from the MU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 and completed a rotating equine internship during the following year. Since then, she has been working as one of the equine ambulatory veterinarians and instructors. In 2017, she achieved certification as a specialist in equine practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. She is completing a veterinary chiropractic course and is already working to provide alternative diagnostic and treatment options for our patients. She particularly enjoys the long-term relationships and the wide variety of disorders that our general practice offers, as well as teaching and learning from the students. In the future, she hopes to continue learning, teaching and practicing equine ambulatory medicine.
Matt Haight is the senior technician for internal medicine. A graduate of Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Haight has worked at MU's VHC since 1992. He is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Veterinary Blood Donor Program: selecting all of the dog and cat donors, ensuring their health and care, performing all blood collection, and finding great homes for them when they retire from service.
Matthew Allen was born and raised in Jefferson City, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri for both his undergraduate and veterinary schooling, graduating from the MU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. Upon graduation, he moved to Las Vegas where he remained for three years working as a small animal general practitioner. In 2020 he moved back to Jefferson City to continue work as a general practitioner while concurrently working in a St. Louis animal emergency clinic where he developed a passion for emergency medicine. This prompted a career shift to work full time at the Veterinary Health Center ER, which also allows him to pursue his second passion ─ teaching. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, Lily, and son, Maddox, woodworking, and following MU athletics.
Maya Harris is from Chesapeake, Virginia, and graduated in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in agriculture with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine. Prior to relocating to Missouri, she worked in a small animal general practice. She joined the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center in the Equine Hospital ICU and now works as a veterinary assistant in the small animal ICU while continuing her studies at Mizzou.
A graduate of Cornell University (DVM), the University of Florida (BS), and the University of Missouri, Megan McCracken completed residency training in equine surgery at the University of Missouri. She joined the MU faculty in 2019. Her clinical and research interests are in equine lameness and general equine surgery.
Mel Mosley grew up in the North Georgia Mountains and graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Wildlife Biology in 2018. After undergrad, he moved out west to attend veterinary school at Colorado State University. There, he balanced his coursework with a job as a fly fishing guide and participated in wildlife disease research working with bats, black-footed ferrets, and prairie dogs. During his clinical year he discovered a love for emergency and critical care medicine, and upon graduation in 2022 he accepted a position at a small animal emergency hospital in Colorado Springs to participate in a training program for new ER doctors. He then found his way back to the Southeast, working at an emergency and surgery speciality hospital outside of Raleigh, North Carolina. He accepted a position at MU due to his love of teaching and his desire to continue learning through collaboration with experienced specialists.
Mel's clinical interests include trauma, shock, and fluid resuscitation. He maintains an academic interest in wildlife biology and disease ecology. In his free time, he enjoys fly fishing, snow skiing, playing music, and spending time with his wife and three dogs.
Michael Barchilon, has an interest in hematological autoimmune blood disorders. He has a particular interest in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), an autoimmune disease in which the blood attacks its own platelets, leading to uncontrollable bleeding. He is currently working on developing additional tests to better predict treatment and prognosis for ITP. He has a passion for teaching veterinary students and has wanted to be a teacher his entire life.
Barchilon received his bachelor's degree from Arizona State University in global studies, with a focus on conflict, violence, and human rights. He received his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Midwestern University in Arizona and subsequently completed his small animal rotating internship at Louisiana State University. He then completed a residency in small animal internal medicine at Iowa State University. He is currently finishing up his master's degree in veterinary clinical sciences from Iowa State University.
His favorite activities outside of work include playing soccer and basketball, watching movies with his significant other, and playing with his cat, Taco. He also enjoys camping and hiking. Barchilon hopes to one day travel the world, especially eastern European countries such as Croatia.
Monica Mayoral was born in Mexico City, Mexico. For as long as she can remember, she wanted to work with animals. She graduated from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in 2014 with a degree in veterinary medicine and zootechnics. She moved to the United States in 2017 and took a job on a farm in Iowa working with pigs. She relocated to Missouri in 2018 and joined the MU Veterinary Health Center in 2024. When she's not working, she loves spending time with her friends and two cats. She also loves to travel whenever she gets a chance.
Job Titles:
- Medical Records & Financial Assistant
A graduate of The University of Bristol (BVSc[Hons], MRCVS/veterinary degrees) and the University of Illinois (MS), Philip Johnson completed specialty training at the University of Illinois. He joined the MU faculty in 1991. His research interests include equine endocrinology, gastroenterology and laminitis. His clinical interests are equine endocrinology, gastroenterology and neonatology.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Relief Technician
Rachel Jeffries earned an associate degree in veterinary technology at Moberly Area Community College in 2023 and plans to pursue a bachelor of science in veterinary technology at the University of Missouri.
Rachel McNair, DVM, graduated from Louisiana State University Veterinary School in 2015. She has spent her time since then in specialty private practice medicine in Louisiana and Texas. She is continuing her education with the Internal Medicine Service at the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center. Her clinical interests include management of chronic endocrine and GI disorders as well as auto-immune diseases. Outside of work, she is a musician, enjoys cooking, baking and gardening. She loves to travel with her husband and their two terriers, Buddy and Mabel. They also have a cat, Poppy, to keep the dogs in line when they are home.
Shea Dailey is originally from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. After graduating high school, she started at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the fall of 2022. She is currently majoring in Animal Sciences and pursuing the Equine Science and Management Certificate. During her undergraduate years, she has studied abroad in both Belize and Scotland. These programs have helped navigate interests and provided unique experiences. She plans to attend veterinary school at the University of Missouri next year and is interested in equine neonatal care and reproduction. She is actively involved at the MU Equine Teaching Facility, and it has become a large influence on pursuing equine medicine. In her free time, Shea likes to watch new tv shows, go hiking, and exploring new places around Columbia.
Taylor Tynes grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri, and moved to Columbia in 2019. She is currently pursuing studies to become a veterinary technician through Ashworth College. She has had a love for animals since she was little and looks forward to helping them through her work at the Veterinary Health Center. In her free time she enjoys being with family at their farm in Eldon, Missouri, hunting and fishing.
Taylor Watts was born and raised in Elsberry, Missouri. She moved to Columbia and began attending the University of Missouri in 2022. She plans to apply to vet school this year. She grew up on a farm with her parents and grandparents, where she started her herd of sheep and goats. She was heavily involved in FFA in high school, to which she attributes her decision to attend vet school. She hopes to become a large animal veterinarian and return home to practice in the rural community where she was raised. In her free time, she enjoys floral design and spending time with her goats and dog, Pepper.
Trey Bruno Hall is from Queen Creek, Arizona. He graduated from a pre-vet focused high school in 2024 and shortly after moved to Columbia to begin his journey into veterinary medicine. He currently works as a veterinary assistant in the SAECC and plans to attend schooling for animal sciences.
Victoria Riedy is from Lisle, Illinois. She received her bachelor's degree in animal science and certificate in equine science and management from the University of Missouri in May 2024. She knew from a young age that she wanted to care for animals as a career and plans to apply to veterinary school in the future. She previously worked in a small animal general practice clinic in Illinois before moving to Missouri for college, where she was involved with Mizzou's equine program and pre-veterinary club. Outside of work she enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family, friends, two dogs (Annabeth and Ace), and cat (Cosmo).