SFAMC - Key Persons
Dr. MacFarlane, a Michigan native, received her Bachelor's and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Michigan State University.
Upon graduation, she headed south to Atlanta where she practiced as a small animal veterinarian for 11 years. In July of 2006, she relocated to the Bay Area where she has enjoyed practicing as a veterinarian since. She enjoys the variety of general practice, but has special interest in dermatology and behavioral medicine. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, photography, and yoga.
Dr. Maretzki, originally from the Aloha state, attained his undergraduate degree from Penn State and veterinary doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1990. After graduation, Dr. Maretzki completed a small animal internship at the University of Georgia followed by a rigorous 3-year internal medicine residency at the University of California, Davis. In 1995, he became a Diplomate in the American College Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM).
In 1997 Dr. Maretzki returned to Northern California where he has since worked as a clinical consultant and veterinary internist. He is excited to be part of the founding medical team at San Francisco Animal Medical Center. As a veterinary internist, Dr. Maretzki has extensive expertise and experience in non-invasive and minimally invasive diagnostics including ultrasound imaging and endoscopy. His practice entails diagnosis and treatment of complex internal medicine cases from the acute, critical/hospitalized period to the chronic and ongoing stages. In his spare time, Dr. Maretzki enjoys spending time with his family and pets.
Dr. Polidoro graduated from Connecticut College with a Bachelor's degree in Zoology in 1990 and from the University of California, Davis with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. Post graduation, he completed a 1-year internship at California Animal Hospital, Department of Surgery in Los Angeles. Upon completion, he returned to San Francisco and worked in general practice for a year. This was followed by a role as a Senior Scientist at a Bay Area multinational healthcare company, Baxter Healthcare, in the Biosurgery Division. There he worked with a team of scientists to develop innovative biomaterial-based medical devices for use in human and companion animal surgery. He then pursued a 3-year residency in small animal surgery at the Animal Surgical and Emergency Center in Los Angeles where he continued his practice as a small animal surgeon for eleven years. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons - Small Animal (DACVS-SA) in 2013.
In 2017, Dr. Polidoro returned to specialty practice in Northern California and has practiced surgery in the San Francisco Bay Area since. He is a founding member of the medical team at San Francisco Animal Medical Center. As a board-certified surgeon, Dr. Polidoro's practice focuses on complex, non-routine orthopedic and soft tissue procedures. Outside of work he enjoys local hiking, attending the theater and spending time with his husband, two Standard Poodles (Elphaba and Chino) and his tuxedo cat (Roy).
Job Titles:
- Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Dr. Elizabeth Gilbert graduated from Michigan State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (2010). She then completed her small animal rotating internship at Pet Emergency and Specialty Center in San Diego. Following her internship, Dr. Gilbert practiced in various animal hospitals across the country before relocating to San Francisco over eight years ago.
Dr. Gilbert became a veterinarian to be an advocate for her patients who are a constant source of love and affection, in making our lives more rewarding and complete. She enjoys working with pet owners to help improve the lives of their loved ones in order to strengthen the human-animal bond.
Her professional interests include internal medicine, dermatology, general surgery, and working with geriatric patients (especially cats).
Dr. Gilbert is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, California Veterinary Medical Association, and San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association.
When not working, Dr. Gilbert enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, kayaking, plant-based cooking, and enjoying San Francisco with her husband, Tyler, and friends. She has two beautiful cats, Luna and Bonzai.
Job Titles:
- Small Animal Rotating Intern
Dr. Gabby Herrejon is a dedicated veterinarian currently fulfilling her Small Animal Rotating Internship here at San Francisco Animal Medical Center (SFAMC).
Originally from northern Illinois, Gabby embarked on her veterinary journey at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine. Her initial aspirations led her down the unique path of zoo medicine, a passion nurtured during her time as a dedicated zookeeper before entering veterinary school. However, the dynamic world of veterinary education introduced Gabby to new horizons, ultimately reshaping her career goals. Her special interests are Emergency Medicine and Oncology.
Embracing the opportunity to live in the vibrant city of San Francisco fulfills a childhood dream for Gabby, marking the next exciting chapter in her professional and personal journey. As she embarks on her Small Animal Rotating Internship at SFAMC, Gabby's passion for excellence and her unwavering commitment to animal care shine brightly, promising a bright future in the field of veterinary medicine.
Dr. Karen Truong completed her undergraduate in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution at UCLA (2005) and went on to receive her DVM at UC Davis (2010). Her clinical interests are emergency medicine. She loves being able to immediately help her patients and the variety of cases she can see during every shift. Dr. Truong's favorite part about being a veterinarian is helping animals and their families.
Outside of practicing medicine, Dr. Truong enjoys trying new foods and traveling. She has two pets, a Siamese cat named Tommy and a miniature Poodle named Rambo.
Dr. Truong is part of the following veterinary associations: The Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS), the San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association (SFVMA), and the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).
Dr. Kelly Brundige, originally from Los Angeles, received her Bachelor's degree in Marine Science from Cal State University, Monterey Bay in 2015. After working at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and working as a veterinary assistant in SF, she decided to pursue veterinary medicine and received her veterinary degree from the Royal Veterinary College in London, England (2022). Upon graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Brundige completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital. After her internship, she decided to pursue her passion for emergency medicine and moved to the Bay Area to join our team in September 2023 as an emergency doctor.
Dr. Brundige loves the variety of cases she gets to see on emergency and loves being able to help pets and their families. Outside of the hospital she enjoys running, traveling, trying new restaurants and spending time with her husband and their rescue mutt (Rufus).
Dr. Nicky Johnson graduated from the University of Miami in 2015 and furthered her education at the University of Pennsylvania. Her lifelong passion for animals has guided her career as a veterinarian.
Believing in the deep and immediate connection between humans and animals, Dr. Johnson finds great reward in providing care to animals and returning the affection they offer. Her approach emphasizes not only medical treatment but also helping families understand their pets' health and working collaboratively to develop treatment plans that align with their values.
Beyond her professional life, Dr. Johnson enjoys cooking with her husband, exploring parks, and tending to her garden. She shares her home with an older dog named Great Jon, who lives up to his wonderful name.
Dr. Johnson holds certifications from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Emergency Response, the Introduction to Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Certification (IAAHPC), and is an active member of the Marine Animal Rescue Society's Stranding Network. She is also an experienced SCUBA diver, with almost 15 years of underwater exploration under her belt, and looks forward to scheduling more dives in the future. Her commitment to animals and their well-being remains a driving force in her life.
Job Titles:
- General Practice / Emergency
- Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Dr. Noelle Bechtel received her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (2017) and was the 2017 recipient of the Everingham Prize for Cardiology. Upon graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Bechtel completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC. After her rotating internship, she worked several years as an emergency doctor at a large specialty and referral hospital in Philadelphia before returning to the Bay Area and working as a general practice doctor for several years. In August of 2022 she joined SF AMC's general wellness and emergency team.
Dr. Bechtel's love for animals started at a young age. She grew up with dogs and completed a shadowing program with a local veterinary clinic when she was seven. What began as an innate love for animals developed into a true passion for medicine, people, and their pets.
Her primary interests include preventative and emergency medicine, soft tissue surgery, and client education. Dr. Bechtel is also a Fear Free Certified Professional and passionate about reducing fear, anxiety, and stress experienced by animals in the veterinary setting through implementing fear-free techniques to create a safer and smoother environment for pets, owners, and the veterinary healthcare team. She is also passionate about mentorship for new veterinarians and promoting workplace well-being within the veterinary profession. She completed the Workplace Well Being Certificate Program, is an active member of the Veterinary Mental Health Initiative's Advisory Council, and is a mentor for MentorVet, an evidence-based veterinary mentorship and professional development program for early career veterinarians.
Dr. Bechtel is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), and San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association (SFVMA).
Outside of treating patients, she enjoys long-distance running, hiking, yoga, guitar, and cooking. Dr. Bechtel also loves spending time with her husband and their daughter who they welcomed in November 2022, and their orange tabby cat and rescued golden retriever.
Dr. Vered Bar graduated from Albright College in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and received her Master's in Laboratory Animal Science in 1995 from Drexel University. She went to veterinary school at University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1999. She is pursuing a Master's in Bioethics at Loyola University of Chicago.
Dr. Bar enjoys being a veterinarian because of her desire to improve companion animal welfare and support the human-animal bond. She appreciates the shared decision-making with pet owners and the collaborative work environment. Her professional interests include surgery, internal medicine, oncology, and urgent care. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, California Veterinary Medical Association, and San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association. She is the proud recipient of the 2015-2016 UC Davis Don Low Fellowship in Medical Oncology.
In her free time, she enjoys running and hiking with her dog, yoga, traveling, visiting museums, cooking, baking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- General Practice / Emergency
Dr. Adamson, originally from San Diego, received her Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology from UCLA in 2007. After working as a zookeeper and wildlife educator for 2 years, she returned back to school to attain her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2013.
Upon graduation, Dr. Adamson completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists. She has worked as a veterinarian in San Francisco since then. Outside of work, Dr. Adamson enjoys hiking with her dog, snowboarding in Tahoe, traveling, and exploring the city with friends.
Dr. Wong, a San Francisco native, graduated from the University of California, Davis with her Bachelor's degree in animal science in 2001 followed by her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. Upon graduation, she completed a 1-year small animal internship, focused primarily on emergency medicine, at South Paws Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Care in Fairfax, Virginia.
In 2007, she returned to UC Davis as a full-time faculty emergency veterinarian prior to returning to San Francisco in 2008. Since then, her clinical practice has focused solely on emergency and critical care. She is a member of the founding medical team at San Francisco Animal Medical Center. Outside her work, Dr. Wong enjoys being active outdoors and in the community. She helped create and sat on the board of a nonprofit called San Francisco Aid for Animals.
Evan, a Bay Area native, grew up in Castro Valley. He graduated from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science. While a student, he worked at the Veterinary Medical Center in Atascadero, CA. Upon graduating, he was promoted to Technician Supervisor and shortly thereafter to Director of Medical Services. He became a Licensed Veterinary Technician in 2014 and Certified Veterinary Practice Manager 2021.
Evan has managed multiple specialty veterinary practices and teams throughout San Francisco, Sonoma, and Alameda counties over his 15+ year career. He is excited to join and lead the passionate and skilled doctors, technicians, and customer service team members at San Francisco Animal Medical Center. In his free time, Evan enjoys hiking with his dog (Frannie), spending time with his husband Patrick, baking, camping/backpacking, and swimming.
Dr. Gervais graduated from the University of California, Davis with her Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Upon graduation, she attended the University of Minnesota Veterinary School where she graduated with her veterinary doctorate in 1989.
After veterinary school, Dr. Gervais worked as a large animal extern in New Zealand followed by two years as an associate in the Sierra Foothills. In 1991, Dr. Gervais returned to the Bay Area where she has enjoyed practicing as a veterinarian in San Francisco since. In her spare time, she enjoys wildlife photography, traveling, hiking, and cycling.
Dr. Mehl graduated from Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Upon graduation, she proceeded to a rotating internship at Colorado State University, School of Veterinary Medicine followed by a 3-year small animal surgical residency at the University of California, Davis. In 2004, she became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (DACVS).
After her residency, Dr. Mehl did a fellowship in renal transplantation and vascular surgery at UC Davis and then joined the faculty in the Small Animal Surgery department, where she trained students and residents until 2008. In 2008, she left her tenure track faculty position and worked in a specialty hospital in San Francisco for 13 years. After several years in private clinical practices throughout the Bay Area , Dr. Mehl joined the founding medical team at San Francisco Animal Medical Center. As a board-certified surgeon, Dr. Mehl's practice focuses on complex, non-routine orthopedic and soft tissue procedures. Outside of work she enjoys mountain biking with her son, rock climbing, and spending time with friends.
Dr. Chu grew up on Oahu and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. He graduated from Oklahoma State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. Upon graduation, he completed a one year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at The Animal Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Chu worked as an emergency veterinarian at a non profit in San Francisco for 22 years. His interests are in animal wellness and senior care. He enjoys spending time with my two rescue terriers, Blake and Kylie, going to concerts, and traveling.
Dr. Ybarra, a San Francisco native, attained her Bachelor's degree in Animal Science and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis. Upon graduation in 2008, she went on to complete a prestigious medical and surgical internship at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She then returned to the Bay Area and worked as an emergency and shelter veterinarian before returning to UC Davis to complete a 3-year residency in small animal internal medicine. In 2013, she became a Diplomate in the American College Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM).
Since then, Dr. Ybarra has worked in private clinical practice in the Bay Area before joining the founding medical team at the San Francisco Animal Medical Center. As a veterinary internist, Dr. Ybarra's practice focuses on diagnosis and treatment of complex and critically ill cases. Specifically, her research publications have focused on canine urinary stones, feline airway disease, and urinary tract infections. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and volunteering for local animal rescue organizations.