FLOWER MOUND VETERINARY EMERGENCY & SPECIALTY CENTER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Licensed Veterinary Technician
Amber has been working in the veterinary field for over 10 years.
She graduated Cedar Valley College with a degree in Veterinary Technology in 2015, becoming an LVT. She is currently pursuing her VTS in Dentistry.
She has two cats, Jake and Drax. In her spare time, she likes running, reading, and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Andrea has a passion for vet medicine and pursuing life-long learning.
Andrea has a passion for animals and veterinary medicine. She loves learning that extends to all parts of her life. At home, she shares her life with two German Shepherds and a very loud cat, fostering a loving and sometimes crazy environment. Outside of her career, she and her husband are avid road cyclists, embarking on thrilling journeys together. Their shared love for travel allows us to explore diverse cultures and broaden their horizons, enriching their lives both personally and professionally.
Job Titles:
- Lead Surgery Veterinarian
- Lead Surgical Veterinarian
Dr. Bayer, DVM, DACVS-SA, brings 10+ years of experience to the surgery team.
Dr. Ben Bayer is a 2003 graduate of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, he pursued advanced training in surgery including a surgical internship and a surgical residency at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Bayer became a board-certified small animal surgeon (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons - Small Animal) in 2012. He practiced in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex for approximately 9 years before spending the last 2 years of practice in Austin, TX.
Dr. Bayer enjoys helping owners understand the illnesses and injuries affecting their pets and the current treatment options (surgical and non-surgical) available to improve their quality of life. He is dedicated to providing his owners with the information they need to make a treatment decision that is best for their pet and their family. Dr. Bayer enjoys performing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and other knee surgeries, fracture repairs, and challenging soft tissue and oncologic surgeries.
Dr. Bayer was born and raised in Arlington, TX, and grew up spending time throughout the Dallas/Fort-Worth metroplex and North Texas traveling for family, school and sports. Life has taken him to stops in the Midwest, Mountain West, and other cities in Texas, and while he enjoyed his time outside the metroplex he is excited to move back to work in the community he grew up in. Outside of the hospital, he enjoys playing soccer, running, swimming, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Team
- Surgery Practice Manager
Courtney brings a breadth of 20+ years of veterinary experience.
Courtney has been in the veterinary industry for over 20+ years, she has worked in general practice, emergency, and specialty medicine with a passion for surgery. Courtney has worked all aspects of the veterinary hospital including kennel, reception, technician, and manager. Her love for animals started as a child when every dog was a friend, and bringing home stray pets became a common practice in her household (much to the dismay of her parents).Outside of work Courtney can be found at home with her furry kiddos, Daja (pibbles mix), Thor (pibbles extraordinaire), and Whizzer (her inherited old man Westie). She enjoys photography, kayaking and lazy days at home in her off time.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Team
- Emergency Hospital Manager
Dr. Aaron Gruben graduated with his DVM degree from Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in 2009.
He first practiced in a mixed animal clinic in New Mexico and then discovered emergency medicine which he has been practicing for the past 10 years.
Dr. Gruben's professional interests include veterinary ophthalmology and soft tissue surgery.
His interests outside of the clinic include writing books and hiking with his children. His current menagerie consists of a cat named Theudebald and a crawdad named Carl.
Job Titles:
- Veterinarian and Cardiologist
Derek is a Texan by birth, spending a large portion of his childhood in central New Mexico.
He earned a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. In 2013, Derek received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
He then went on to pursue a general rotating internship with Seattle Veterinary Specialists in Kirkland, WA. Immediately following this internship, Derek pursued a post-doctoral fellowship with the University of California Davis working in animal models of myocardial infarction and the associated myocardial remodeling which ensues.
After fellowship, Derek relocated to Denver, CO for residency training in Cardiology with Rocky Mountain Veterinary Cardiology. Derek completed his residency and was board certified in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2018.
His professional interests include minimally invasive cardiac interventions and chronic management of congestive heart failure.
In his free time, Derek enjoys cooking, as well as trying new and exotic foods and restaurants. He also has two canine companions and a horse with which he enjoys being outdoors on the trails and enjoying nature.
Dr. Kernaghan was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. In the pursuit of a career in zoo and conservation science she attended Texas A&M for her Bachelors in Zoology. This led her to pursue a career in the veterinary field and she graduated from Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019. Throughout this time she worked in zoos and wildlife centers across the country as well as spent time in the Serengeti working in their field hospital.
She returned to Texas and worked in small animal and exotics general practice for 4 years. For 3 of those years, she worked with Board Certified Veterinary Dentists™, Dr. Heidi Lobprise and Dr. Jessica Johnson and developed an appreciation for high quality dentistry.
She is passionate about improving her patients quality of life through alleviating oral pain, and educating clients on the importance of their pet's dental health.
Dr. Johnson was raised in Southlake, Texas. She graduated from Texas A&M's College of Veterinary Medicine with honors in 2008. She spent the first decade of her career in small animal general practice where she gained experience in small animal day practice, emergency practice, and relief.
Following her passion for dentistry, Dr. Johnson completed a dental residency with Dr. Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC in 2020. As a resident, she published original research in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry titled: Characterization and Classification of Keratinized Odontogenic Cysts in 29 Dogs. In 2022, she joined the American Veterinary Dental College as a Board Certified Veterinary Dentist TM.
Dr. Johnson is committed to providing evidence-based, high-quality care to the dogs and cats of North Texas. It is important to her to examine each case individually, understanding that many patients have multiple health problems, but they are often still able to safely receive necessary procedures to alleviate pain and infection. Her goal is to examine her patient, assess their health, and work with pet owners to determine the best treatment plan. Dr. Johnson is passionate about dental education for both clients and veterinarians. She leads the Dental Fundamentals lecture series for veterinarians in general practice who want to learn more about practicing veterinary dentistry and improve their proficiency.
Dr. Johnson has three children and one rambunctious shepherd-mix named Biscuit. One of her children hopes to become a veterinarian when she grows up. In her free time, she likes to read, go on long runs with Biscuit, and compete in Ironman triathlons.
Dr. Karen Atkinson (formerly Dr. Matlock) is our lead veterinarian and a 1986 graduate of Oklahoma State University. She has been with the emergency department since 2016 and South Flower Mound Animal Hospital since 2006.
She and her husband share their home with Louie, a rescued terrier mix. She enjoys knitting, reading, traveling, and volunteering. Dr. Atkinson was the recipient of D Magazine's Best Bets for Vets in 2001.
Dr. Campbell is from Hattiesburg, MS, and has always had a passion for animals since she can remember.
At the age of 16, she began her first job working as a receptionist and kennel technician at a local veterinarian's office. She continued to grow her experience in the veterinary field throughout high school and in the summers throughout college.
Dr. Campbell found a passion for Poultry Science at Mississippi State University and completed three years in this major before being accepted into veterinary school at Mississippi State in 2019. Over her four years in vet school, she developed a love for emergency medicine and internal medicine. She graduated from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2023 and moved to Dallas, TX shortly after.
When she is not working, Dr. Campbell loves to watch movies, ride four-wheelers, and try new restaurants with her husband. She shares her home with two dogs, Sky and Hendrix, and her crazy orange cat Mack.
Dr. Hattaway is a Texas native. Although she claims that she knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from the time she could talk, she first joined the veterinary field in 2008 as a kennel technician prior to pursuing her lifelong dream. She graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Biomedical Sciences and Entomology in 2015. She then moved to the Caribbean for veterinary school and graduated from St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2020 after performing her clinical year at Auburn University. She has been with the emergency department since 2021 following a short stint in general practice.
Dr. Hattaway has a special interest in critical care medicine, internal medicine, pain management, and anesthesia. She thrives in the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the ER. However, in the past, she has also enjoyed the quiet, controlled atmosphere of research laboratories.
When she is not working, Dr. Hattaway enjoys reading, scuba diving, and long walks on the beach. She happily shares her home with two cats, Artie and Monster, and a greyhound, Zephyr.
Dr. Cortez is a DFW native who grew up in nearby Grapevine. He earned a bachelor's in computer science before attending veterinary school at Oklahoma State University.
After graduation he returned to the area and has spent most of his career working in the emergency department of local specialty hospitals. Most recently, he spent time in general practice, where he served as chief of staff of four local hospitals.
Dr. Cortez is excited to return to emergency medicine. He loves the fast, unpredictable nature of the ER just as much as he loves slowing down to focus on complex hospitalized cases. He has been on both sides of the referral process and is a strong believer that quality care is best achieved with open communication and teamwork between the ER and general practices.
Dr. Cortez was raised in Edmond, Oklahoma.
She graduated from Oklahoma State's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. She met her husband in veterinary school and after graduating they moved to Texas together. She spent the first part of her career in small animal general practice where she gained experience in all areas of medicine. She also served as a chief of staff for several hospitals in the DFW area.
Her father is a human oral surgeon and Dr. Cortez worked in his practice prior to attending vet school. After several years as a companion animal veterinarian, she found her calling in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery. That passion led to her becoming a dental resident under Dr. Jessica Johnson, DVM, DAVDC. Dr. Cortez is now working her way through the residency program and is committed to high-quality dental care of dogs and cats. She is passionate about oral medicine, and is currently researching uniquely aggressive oral tumors in young dogs.
During her spare time, Dr. Taylor Cortez enjoys reading, kickboxing, horseback riding and playing board games with her husband. She loves hanging out at home with her son, husband and two dogs - Glen (whippet) and Nova (silken windhound). Both she and her husband share a love of all sighthounds and over the years have also owned Italian Greyhounds and Borzoi. They love long-nosed doggos!
Job Titles:
- Dental Assistant
- Member of the Dental & Oral Surgery Team
Emmylie has been a member of the Dental & Oral Surgery Team since November 2021.
Eva brings over 20 years of dedicated veterinary field experience to the dental team. Eva started her journey in the vet field as a doctor assistant. Soon she grew into a veterinary technician and shortly after a surgery technician. Desiring more, Eva worked for a veterinary emergency hospital for 4 years.
Eva became a part of our Dental Clinic in October 2020. She is here to serve you and your pet as our Dental Liaison. Eager to get to know both you and your pet, she is here to answer your initial questions, gather all medical history, assist with scheduling, and facilitate all communication between you, staff and general practice doctors.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Veterinary Technician
Kaitlin is a Licensed Veterinary Technician; she graduated from VTI Houston in 2018.
She began her veterinary career at age 16, working as a kennel technician, and realized her passion for working with animals.
Kaitlin is currently working towards a Veterinary Technician Specialty of Dentistry. She is excited about her future in specialty medicine.
Kaitlin grew up in a full dog household and currently has a sweet Australian Shepherd named Prince. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys going to basketball and baseball games in her free time or just relaxing with Prince. She is a big collector of thrifted items and loves a Goodwill haul. Her true passion is taking care of animals and she is excited for her future in this field!
Laura Kempf (a.k.a. LK) obtained her B.S. in Animal Science with a Biology Minor from Tarleton State University in 2010.
Since graduating, has a variety of experience including general small animal practice, shelter medicine, mobile, emergency and has spent the last several years in dentistry and oral surgery. She is certified through the Texas Veterinary Medical Association as a Level 1 Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA 1) since 2014 and as of Fall 2021, she returned to school to achieve her LVT.
LK has been with the Dental & Oral Surgery team since 2017. She has always had a special interest in dentistry and has served as our Dental Lead since 2019.
Outside of our clinic, she keeps busy with non-profit work by serving as the Southwest Representative for a national Australian Shepherd rescue organization. She also works actively with a community TNR cat program. She shares her home with her husband, Nathan, 2 Australian Shepherds, a bearded dragon named Kronk, and 1-2 foster dogs at any given time.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Team
- Dental Practice Manager
Stephanie brings 2+ decades of experience in the veterinary field across multiple disciplines.
Stephanie has 22 years of experience in the veterinary field. Her journey has encompassed various facets, from small animal emergency critical care to multi-specialty hospital settings and the everyday care of beloved pets in small animal day practice. Her passion lies in surgery and anesthesia but also has extensive knowledge in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. Your pets' well-being is her utmost priority, backed by decades of hands on experience.
She joined Flower Mound and Specialty Center in 2023 to start the Surgery service and is very excited to continue her passion and provide high quality care to the patients of DFW area. In her free time she enjoys reading, crochet, camping and spending time with her two children. She shares her home with two cats Figgy and Newton.
Susie started her veterinary career in Michigan over 20 years ago.
Susie started her veterinary career in 2003 while volunteering at a shelter in Michigan. After falling in love with helping animals, she transitioned to the clinic and started working as a veterinary assistant. In 2014, Susie was given the opportunity to grow into specialty medicine and has continued to develop her skillset and knowledge from there, and is now joining the Surgery department at Flower Mound Emergency & Specialty center. During her time off she loves to cook, dive into a good book and enjoy the outdoors. Susie also enjoys being at home with her array of animals including dogs, cats, turtles, fish, and chameleons relaxing and either listening to music or watching movies.