The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360

Dianne McGill founded Pet Peace of Mind in 2015 to ensure hospice and palliative care patients have the support they need for their animal companions. She is a former CEO and Executive Director of the Banfield Charitable Trust, a public benefit charity. She joined the organization in 2006 and guided the charities expansion to develop and launch of Pet Peace of Mind and Meals on Wheels, pet care assistance programs, among several others. 

During her tenure, the charity was thrice awarded charity navigators 4-star rating for operational transparency and financial stewardship in 2013 and 2014. Charity Navigator also named the charity to its national top 10 list of impact-to-income public charities. Prior to her role with Banfield Charitable Trust, McGill was the resource development director for a higher education nonprofit. She has also served as an officer and director for 7 nonprofit boards of directors and currently devotes a portion of her time to nonprofit management consulting for other leadership roles including senior level positions with the Associated Press, McClatchy Company, and  Gannett. 

McGill graduated summa cum laude with a BS in management and organizational development. She also holds certificates in community mediation and organizational training.

Emily C. Abraham, DVM, CVA, attended the University of Miami from 2006 to 2009, receiving her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in 2009 with a major in Biology and double minors in Chemistry and Classics. She was the president of the UM Pre-Veterinary Society, where she organized dog walks, baths, and shows to raise money for local pet rescue organizations.

In 2013, Abraham graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She also studied at The Chi Institute and is a certified veterinary acupuncturist. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA), Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS), and she is certified with the USDA, enabling her to authorize animal health certificates for traveling needs.

Her veterinary interests include surgery, clinical pathology, dermatology, and acupuncture. She has a special interest in neonatal and geriatric care. In her spare time, she enjoys playing basketball, dominoes and rock climbing with her friends and family. Abraham rescued her “kids,” Yogi, an adorable 14 year old yorkie, Minnie, an energetic and loveable 12 year old Pomeranian; Ziggy, a water loving 5 year old Pomeranian; and Ellie Zen Kitty, a sassy 3 year old tabby cat. Abraham has also rescued squirrels and helped nurture them until they can be released back into their natural environment. Abraham is married to her best friend, Carlos, and they have a 10 month old son named Mateo.

Cory Penn, DVM, received his DVM from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine after receiving his Bachelor of Science from Eastern Illinois University. He is currently the Senior Veterinary Diagnostic Platform Lead for VETSCAN IMAGYST with Zoetis Global Diagnostics.

This episode of The Vet Blast Podcast is sponsored by Zoetis.

Cathy Meeks, MS, DVM, DACVIM, started her veterinary career as a veterinary technician while getting her master’s degree in veterinary medicine with a focus on forensic toxicology. After veterinary school, she did an internship and then a residency in internal medicine. Her specific interests in internal medicine include immune mediated diseases and endocrinology. 

In 2012, Meeks took on a lead veterinary role in a private practice as a medical director while continuing to practice internal medicine. In 2015, she became a Group Medical Director for Bluepearl, working with the hospitals in the Northeast. Until 2019 when she was promoted to Regional Vice President of Medicine where she managed 15 hospitals in the Northeast. In 2021 she joined Antech as the Vice President of Medical Operations providing medical leadership throughout various areas in the company including clinical and anatomic pathology, quality assurance and internal consulting.  

In her spare time, Dr. Meeks enjoys running and water activities such as paddle boarding and swimming. She has 2 rescue dogs, Scrappy (Jack Russell) and Lainey (Doberman). 

Sponsored by Antech Diagnostics

Shawn Wilkie is the CEO of Talkatoo, Inc, a one-button healthcare dictation software meant to make charts and medical records simpler and less time consuming. 

Sari Lieberman, LVT, started her career as a veterinary technician after a 20-year career as a vocalist performing with various bands in various venues, traveling throughout the US, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands. 

She received her AA from Harcum College after completing her practicum at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s small animal hospital in Philadelphia, and large animal facility in Kennett Square, PA. After receiving her LVT, she has worked exclusively in referral practices. She is currently employed at Animal Surgical and Orthopedic Center, previously known as Animal Surgical Clinic of Seattle.

Her disciplines include anesthetic protocol, pain management, patient care, and she holds a special interest in radiology. She has presented CE on the subject of obtaining “Rad Rads.” She was also a blogger, social media, and website manager for the clinic. 

Sari developed the Doppler Band after years of witnessing the trepidation of her co-workers and experiencing, firsthand, the frustration of trying to secure a Doppler to a patient for monitoring BP, especially during lengthy surgical procedures.

Since the Doppler Band was first introduced in 2018, it has been used internationally, in general, emergency, surgical, dermatology and dental clinics, and zoos. It is also being used as an educational tool at technical colleges and vet schools, here in the US and abroad.

Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, is a board-certified veterinary emergency and critical care and small animal internal medicine specialist, as well as a certified veterinary journalist, based in Omaha, Nebraska. He received his Bachelor of Science degree as a University Honors Scholar in Animal Sciences from Colorado State University and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. Byers works as a teleconsultant in emergency/critical care and small animal internal medicine for VetCT. He is the Co-Editor of the textbook, Feline Emergency & Critical Care Medicine and has published chapters and articles in numerous textbooks and peer-reviewed medical journals. Dr. Byers also publishes a blog called CriticalCareDVM.com with goals to educate pet owners and promote the triad of care.

Sari Lieberman, LVT, started her career as a veterinary technician after a 20-year career as a vocalist performing with various bands in various venues, traveling throughout the US, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands. 

She received her AA from Harcum College after completing her practicum at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s small animal hospital in Philadelphia, and large animal facility in Kennett Square, PA. After receiving her LVT, she has worked exclusively in referral practices. She is currently employed at Animal Surgical and Orthopedic Center, previously known as Animal Surgical Clinic of Seattle.

Her disciplines include anesthetic protocol, pain management, patient care, and she holds a special interest in radiology. She has presented CE on the subject of obtaining “Rad Rads.” She was also a blogger, social media, and website manager for the clinic. 

Sari developed the Doppler Band after years of witnessing the trepidation of her co-workers and experiencing, firsthand, the frustration of trying to secure a Doppler to a patient for monitoring BP, especially during lengthy surgical procedures.

Since the Doppler Band was first introduced in 2018, it has been used internationally, in general, emergency, surgical, dermatology and dental clinics, and zoos. It is also being used as an educational tool at technical colleges and vet schools, here in the US and abroad.

Pam Hale, DVM, MBA, and Ryan Hart return to The Vet Blast Podcast!

Hale is Destination Pet’s chief medical officer and a graduate of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. She earned her MBA from St. George’s University. Dr Hale is a member of the AVMA and Georgia Veterinary Medical Association. She serves on the Dean’s Counsel for Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine and the American Veterinary Medical Association Professional Liability Insurance Trust. She shares her home with 7 pups and her husband, Chuck.

Jennifer Vitucci, DVM, CCRT, graduated magna cum Laude from John Carroll University with a biology degree. She obtained her DVM from The Ohio State University in 2007. After graduation, Vitucci moved to the St. Louis, Missouri, area and practiced at a small animal general practice for 2 years, before purchasing County Animal Hospital with her husband in October 2009. Dr. Vitucci began her rehabilitation training in 2019 and obtained her canine rehabilitation therapist certification through the Canine Rehab Institute in 2021. Synergy Veterinary Rehabilitation opened within County Animal Hospital in 2019. After selling their practice and moving to the Florida panhandle, Vitucci joined PulseVet Technologies as the small animal business manager in May 2021.

Podcast sponsored by PulseVet, a Zomedica company