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, Addi and Maggie.
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 85,000 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.
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 began in client relations and moved on to oversee marketing departments in industries ranging from email marketing to biometrics, and from there founded her strategic communications consultancy. 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. She has served as a lead on multiple nonprofit boards and has spearheaded several board initiatives including chairing governance and development committees. Jordan has also completed a Board Leadership Institute program covering topics including board service, strategic planning, development and fundraising, board/CEO partnership, ethical legal/financial literacy, and governance oversight, and regularly participates in nonprofit workshops and educational courses. As an animal lover and advocate, she brings to the VIN Foundation an appreciation for the animal-veterinarian bond, a strategic communications approach to nonprofit leadership, and a commitment to help improve the veterinary profession through tangible support for colleagues. With a firm belief that our stories are our strength and unique differentiators, her latest passion project of producing and co-hosting the VIN Foundation’s Veterinary Pulse podcast is centered around veterinary colleagues connecting through sharing their journey in the profession and finding ways to innovative solutions to challenges. Jordan lives in Santa Barbara, California with her dog, chickens, and beehives, enjoys a good book, and loves exploring nature with friends and family.
Sharnette was born in Southern California, but was raised across the United States and Western Europe. She currently resides in Virginia. While completing her Bachelor’s degree in biology from George Mason University, Sharnette volunteered at a small mixed animal practice in Washington DC. After graduation, Sharnette moved to California to begin work as a caregiver and animal advocate at two farm animal sanctuaries. While still living in California, Sharnette went back to veterinary medicine and once eligible through the alternative-route veterinary technician program, she worked as a registered veterinary technician in an exotic and small animal clinic. Upon moving to Virginia, Sharnette went back to the nonprofit sector, switching her attention from farmed animals to chained and penned dogs. Sharnette brings to VIN Foundation her experience in veterinary medicine and the nonprofit sector with the intention to make veterinary medicine a healthier and more inclusive profession. When she is not working, Sharnette likes to spend time with her two dogs, Sunni and Shani, and travel with friends and family.