VCA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Credentialed Veterinary Technician / Administration
Dr. Andrew Simpson is a 2009 graduate from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at VCA Aurora Animal Hospital and VCA Berwyn Animal Hospital, he spent four years working as a general practitioner at various VCA animal hospitals in the greater Chicagoland area. Dr. Simpson finished his residency in veterinary dermatology along with a Master's degree at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in June of 2017. He has published multiple papers in the veterinary literature, including his more recent research on monitoring urinary tract infections with allergy therapy, novel treatment for pemphigus foliaceus, along with a study on absent eardrums in dogs. His interests include allergic skin disease, otology (ear disease), immune-mediated skin disease, and cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease.
Dr. Simpson enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids exploring outdoor activities including hiking.
Job Titles:
- Veterinarian - Surgery Resident
Dr. Karen Oberthaler, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology), graduated magna cum laude from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 2002. She completed an internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and a residency at the University of Pennsylvania. She practiced oncology for 13 years in New York City and in Miami before joining VCA Veterinary Specialists of Northern Colorado in 2019. Her clinical interests include lymphoma, osteosarcoma, mast cellgiosarcoma, and bladder cancer. She's also interested in cancer prevention and palliative care. In her free time, Dr. Oberthaler loves skiing, running and exploring mountain towns. She's also a potter, and she creates functional ceramics that she describes as simple, pretty and a little imperfect. Her studio name-Morning Dew Ceramics-comes from her daily greeting to her own sweet dog, Dewey: "Morning, Dew."
Job Titles:
- Dir, External Affairs
- Director, External Affairs
Job Titles:
- Marketing Director & Referral Coordinator at VCA Regional Institute for Vet Emergencies and Referrals in Tennessee, Shares Her Story of Pride and Allyship.
Job Titles:
- Relationship & Marketing Manager
Job Titles:
- Criticalist / Emergency & Critical Care Department Co - Manager / DVM, DACVECC
Job Titles:
- Medical Director, Veterinary Specialist ( Surgical Oncology )
Samantha Middleton, DVM, MS, graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. She completed a small animal rotating internship at Michigan Veterinary Specialists in 2012. She went on to complete a small animal internal medicine residency/master's degree program at the University of Illinois. Dr. Middleton has special interest in nasal disease, specifically sinonasal aspergillosis.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ACVIM Foundation
- Veterinary Specialist
Dr. Downing is a charter member of the ACVIM Foundation and has received recognition on the Veterinary Honor Role by the Morris Animal Foundation. She is also a past Commissioner at the Los Angeles Zoo and volunteers regularly with the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association and Downtown Dog Rescue to provide free vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, flea/tick control, and other wellness services.
Job Titles:
- Criticalist / Emergency & Critical Care Department Co - Manager / DVM, DACVECC
Job Titles:
- Emergency & Critical Care Department Manager
Job Titles:
- Specialty Departments Manager