Team | VIN Foundation

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Team

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Richard Headley, DVM

President

Dr. Headley graduated from Purdue University in 1967. Upon graduation he went on active duty with the US Army and was stationed at Ft. Irwin CA, functioning as Post Veterinarian, Public Health Officer and Wildlife Management Officer. Being in a remote area, he was granted permission to operate an emergency large animal practice in the vicinity. Following military service he moved to private practice in Detroit, MI where he stayed for 1 1/2 years. In January 1971 he leased and eventually bought the Lincolnway Veterinary Clinic in Mishawaka, IN where he still operates a small animal practice. Dr. Headley was named Mishawaka man of the year,1985 for teaching CPR to the general public under the guidance of the American Heart Association with the help of the Mishawaka Kiwanis Club. He has served as President of the Michiana Veterinary Medical Association. Is a member of that group, the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA, and IAVPM. He has been a member of VIN since 1993 and is currently an associate editor of the VIN Anesthesia/Analgesia folder. After years of many animals, Dr. Headley now has a Chihuahua named Raisin.

Rick Baum, DVM, MBA

Treasurer

Dr. Baum is the director of the Arlington Animal in Arlington, Vermont and per diem emergency veterinarian at the Animal Emergency Clinic in Latham, New York. He received a BA from Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York and DVM from Cornell University. He practiced in Manhattan and Maine before settling in Vermont. He is the past president of the Vermont VMA and current HOD Representative from Vermont to the AVMA. He lives in Vermont with his wife, Catherine, and daughter, Sarah, four dogs, two cats, and a number of horses.

Elizabeth Stoltz, JD

Secretary

Elizabeth Stoltz is a 1969 graduate of Cornell University, with a BA degree in Government, and holds a JD degree from the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, She spent thirty years in the Yolo County Counsel’s Office in Woodland, California, where her primary assignment was handling child abuse and neglect cases in the Juvenile Court. She retired in 2007, and moved to Washington State, to be close to her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. She lives with two horses, three dogs, and seven cats, and enjoys gardening, photography, and traveling. Her connection with VIN is through her late cat, Cecil, who in 1986 was the first cat treated with taurine for cardiomyopathy, by Paul Pion.

Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA

Tony Bartels graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, and their two rescued canines, Herbie and Addi.

Jim Clark, DVM, MBA

Dr. Jim Clark is an entrepreneur and veterinary educator who has led the Professional Skills teaching program at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine since 2010. Clark received his veterinary degree from U.C. Davis in 1988. He developed an early passion for emergency and critical care medicine and practiced exclusively in this area for 20 years. Clark also has a strong interest in veterinary business. In 2002, he completed a two-year MBA program at the San Diego State College of Business Administration, graduating as valedictorian. Clark and his partners currently own three emergency/specialty veterinary practices in the San Francisco Bay Area, employing more than 150 team members. Clark remains involved in practice oversight and leadership while also teaching at UC Davis. As leader of the “Doctoring” course, he greatly enjoys working with students and has received several prestigious teaching awards. Clark also enjoys working with many skilled colleagues at Davis and in private clinical practice. Under his direction, the UC Davis Professional Skills program has undergone numerous revisions and is now a highly rated part of the school’s curriculum. Clark’s personal interests include volunteer work, travel, hiking, skiing, wake surfing, tennis, and kayaking.

Joseph A. D’Abbraccio, DVM

Dr. D’Abbraccio grew up in Sullivan County, New York and is a graduate of Monticello High School. Following graduation Dr. Joe attended the State University of New York at Delhi where he earned a degree in Veterinary Science Technology. Dr. Joe attended veterinary school at St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, located in the Cayman Islands, BWI. While attending St. Matthew’s University, Dr. Joe was very active in a number of student organizations, particularly the Emergency and Critical Care Society. Given his strong interest and achievements Dr. Joe was awarded the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society Clinical Proficiency Award (two time recipient), an international achievement. Due to his strong involvement level and high ranked veterinary studies Dr. Joe was awarded the Dean’s Award from St. Matthew’s University. Following his pre-clinical training Dr. Joe finished his final year of veterinary school at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. Dr. D’Abbraccio interests include emergency and critical care as well as cardiovascular disease. Dr. D’Abbraccio is working toward board certification with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Canine and Feline) and certification by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. Given his wide interests he is happy to care for dogs, cats, exotics, as well as livestock. Dr. D’Abbraccio also holds an adjunct professor position at SUNY Ulster, teaching veterinary technician students. However, when he is not at the hospital or teaching Dr. D’Abbraccio enjoys traveling and spending time with his family and friends.

Carl Darby, MA, VETMB

Dr. Darby was born in Manchester England. He attended Cambridge University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with honors in 1991. In 1992 he moved to Long Island, New York. He worked at 2 small animal hospitals. In 2003 Dr. Darby passed the ABVP boards and became a board certified specialist in avian medicine. He is one of only approximately 100 veterinarians worldwide who have advanced knowledge and expertise in avian (bird) medicine. In 2005 Dr. Darby began work at a specialty hospital on Long Island (The Center for Specialized Veterinary Care) as head of avian and exotic animal medicine. In 2006 Dr. Darby purchased Seneca Falls Veterinary Hospital in Seneca Falls. Since then he has worked hard to make Seneca Falls Veterinary Hospital a modern, state of the art Veterinary Hospital. He lives in Seneca Falls with his wife Denise, sons Christopher and Nicholas,3 dogs (Dibley, Daisy and Sophie), 2 cats (Oliver and Paddy) and 5 birds (Tony, Baby bird, Lilly, Scrooge and Marley).

Donna Harris, DVM, MBA

Dr. Donna Harris received her veterinary degree from Michigan State University and her MBA from Grand Valley State University. She practiced small animal and exotics medicine for many years before starting Veterinary Special Services, a financial and strategic planning consulting firm. Today she teaches business and career development topics at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and St. Matthew’s School of Veterinary Medicine in Grand Cayman as well as consulting for private practice veterinary businesses.

Carol S. Hillhouse, DVM, DABVP

Dr. Hillhouse owns two mixed animal practices in the Texas Panhandle together with her husband Joe, who is also a veterinarian. Her practices host an almost continuous flow of student externs from across the USA and internationally. She is active in organized veterinary medicine at both the state and local level, and is also a VIN Rep. Dr. Hillhouse received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University in 1984, and is a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (canine/feline). She is the mother of two adult sons, and leads two local Girl Scout troops. Dr. Hillhouse has a Brussels Griffon puppy is named Wally (pictured to the left), another Brussels Griffon named Boris, a Sulcata tortoise named Kony, a polydactyl kitty named Rugen, and an African Grey Parrot named Pete.

Phillip Jackson, CPA, CGMA

Phillip Jackson is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant with a wide variety of practical business experience in helping veterinarians improve their practices. Raised less than 200 feet from his father’s veterinary Clinic just outside Nashville helps him bring a unique perspective to his work as a consultant with the Old Hickory Group, a Tennessee bases Veterinary Practice Management Consulting firm. Phillip has worked for fortune 50 companies, nonprofits and organizations of various forms and sizes but feels most at home around vet clinic or barn. Phillip is a member of the American Institute of Certified Accountants, Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants and Allied Member of TVMA and serves on the board of several non-profits. When he is not working, Phillip enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, at the gym, or hiking with the family Australian Labradoodle named Oliver.

VIN Foundation | Supporting veterinarians to cultivate a healthy animal community | Our Team | Board of Directors | Paul D. Pion, DVM, DipACVIM (Cardiology)

Paul D. Pion, DVM, DipACVIM (Cardiology)

Dr. Pion, holds a B.S. and a D.V.M. from Cornell University. He is board certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Dr. Pion interned at the Animal Medical Center, completed a residency in Cardiology at UC Davis, a post-doctorate in Pharmacology at Columbia University, and coursework and research toward his PhD at UC Davis. Dr. Pion founded Veterinary Information Network with Dr. Duncan Ferguson in 1991 after partnering with him on the Pet Care Forum on America Online in 1990. Dr. Pion has worked full-time at VIN since 1993 and is the Chief Executive Officer, President, and a director of VIN. Prior to that, he was a full-time instructor and researcher at the University of California, Davis where he also practiced veterinary medicine and was responsible for breakthrough veterinary medical research on heart disease in cats. Among many honors, Dr. Pion has received a Physician Scientist Award from the National Institutes of Health, a Ralston Purina Small Animal Research Award, a National Phi Zeta Award and a Special Recognition Award from the American Animal Hospital Association. Dr. Pion has published extensively, including a cover article for the journal Science announcing a finding that elucidated the cause, cure, and ultimate elimination of a common and fatal feline heart ailment via reformulation of commercial feline diets. Paul co-authored a book for cat owners, Cats for Dummies. He lives in Davis California with his wife, 2 sons, daughter, and numerous pets.

VIN Foundation | Supporting veterinarians to cultivate a healthy animal community | Our Team | Board of Directors | William B. Thomas DVM DACVIM

William Thomas, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

Dr. Thomas is a 1985 graduate of Auburn University. He worked in a mixed-animal practice in Florida for several years before returning to Auburn to complete a residency in Neurosurgery and Neurology and an MS. After his residency, Dr. Thomas was a clinical instructor at North Carolina State University for two years before moving to the University of Tennessee where he is currently a Professor in Neurology and Neurosurgery and an ACVIM(Neurology) diplomate. Dr. Thomas lives on a horse farm with his wife, Sherri, two daughters, Emelie and Jenna, two dogs, a cat, two Guinea pigs, ducks, chickens and way too many Trakehners. Sherri is also a veterinarian and owns Lovell Animal Hospital.

John Daugherty, DVM

VETERINARY INFORMATION NETWORK BOARD LIAISON

Dr. John Daugherty graduated from The Ohio State University in 1979 with a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology. He went on to graduate from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. Dr. Daugherty is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA). He is the owner of Poland Veterinary Centre in Poland, Ohio, which is a busy small animal practice with three other doctors and a very well-trained and caring staff. His primary focus is on dentistry and surgery.

Dr. Daugherty is on the Board of Directors of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). This is an online community, information source and continuing education service for veterinarians. There are more than 60,000 international subscribers. He has been a member of VIN since 1994 and has been on the Board of Directors for over 10 years. He is also an Associate Editor of Diagnostic Imaging with VIN. This a small group of people who help interpret radiographs (X-rays) and ultrasound images for the subscribers of VIN in order to help them to improve their skills and gain confidence in image interpretation, and to help them better manage their patients. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and traveling. He loves wine and really enjoys cooking.

STAFF

Jordan benShea

Executive Director

Jordan benShea is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley where she studied Mass Communications with an emphasis in Business Administration and Journalism. After college she oversaw marketing departments in industries ranging from email marketing to biometrics and fitness equipment manufacturing. Jordan grew up with an avid appreciation for giving back, and began to tie her strategic communications experience with her passion for engagement in the nonprofit world. Jordan serves as a lead on multiple nonprofit boards and has spearheaded several board initiatives. She has also completed a seven month Board Leadership Institute with the Santa Barbara Foundation covering topics including: board service, strategic planning, development and fundraising, board/CEO partnership, ethical legal/financial literacy, and governance oversight. Jordan lives in Santa Barbara, California with her dog, Zoe, and bee hives, enjoys a good book and loves exploring nature with friends and family.

Bree Montana, DVM, CCFP

Vets4Vets® Team Lead

Bree Montana, DVM, is a small animal practitioner and owner of the Agate Bay Animal Hospital and Dog Gone Crazy boarding/training facilities in North Lake Tahoe California. Following the completion of a B.S. in Biology at the University of Cincinnati’s McMicken College, Dr. Montana graduated from the Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1992. A past member of the external advisory and admissions committees for UC Davis’ College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Montana also served as a working member of the VIN Foundation Board. In 2010, Dr. Montana helped to create the VIN Foundation’s innovative Vets4Vets® program, a confidential support group providing critical emotional care to veterinarians struggling with all forms of stress/addiction/mental health issues. The program is international and free for all veterinarians and veterinary students. Learning to balance the life of a rural solo practitioner, mom, wife, husky wrangler and aspiring dressage queen while coordinating the Vets4Vets® program has allowed Dr. Montana to become an expert at thinking outside of the box when advising veterinarians who feel stuck in their careers and personal lives. Dr. Montana enjoys lecturing on topics at the intersection of personal and professional life balance, including strategies for a healthy mentoring relationship, job seekers’ success techniques, effective communication in the workplace, as well as teaching the workplace ergonomics section of The Other Side of Veterinary Medicine: Healthy Clinicians Make Better Practitioners (a RACE approved course).

Alejandro Garcia, DVM

Veterinary Information Network Liaison

Dr. Garcia was raised in Chile and obtained his veterinary degree at the Universidad Mayor in Santiago. He then worked internationally with several non-profits, spending time in Easter Island and the Middle East. In 2007, while doing shelter work and pursuing an interest in emergency medicine, Dr. Garcia changed vocational direction, deciding he could better serve the veterinary community through a job with the Veterinary Information Network. He has worked closely with the VIN Foundation ever since. He lives in a small town in California with two little dogs and spends his free time pursuing his passion for wildlife and photography.

VIN Foundation | Supporting veterinarians to cultivate a healthy animal community | Our Team | VIN Liaison | Val Fournier, DVM, MPH

Valerie Fournier, DVM, MPH

Veterinary Information Network Liaison

Dr. Fournier received her veterinary degree from Michigan State University (Go GREEN!), and her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Minnesota. She has been a practicing veterinarian for over a decade now, with much of that time focused on small animal emergency/critical care medicine in Michigan. Her MPH was in disaster management and emergency response, which she has been involved with at the local level since graduation. Dr. Fournier has been working with Veterinary Information Network (VIN) and VIN Foundation since early 2017. Currently, she shares her personal space with two very happy large dogs. They all enjoy hiking, running, and quality time on the couch with a good book.

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