The College of Veterinary Medicine was delighted to welcome more than 30 veterinarians who joined us over the summer to complete clinical internships and residencies. These aspiring specialists take an active role in the delivery of animal care in our Veterinary Teaching Hospital or the delivery of diagnostic services in our Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, working under the mentorship of a boarded specialist in their area of interest. Most residents will not only complete the training requirements for board certification but also take courses and conduct applied or basic research leading to a master’s degree.
These outstanding professionals come to us from all across the United States and several have backgrounds or experience in other countries.
Please join us in celebrating their arrival at the University of Illinois.
Dr. Aurelien Ballydier (Anesthesiology Resident) completed his DVM at the University of Montréal in 2019 before starting his equine internship of Veterinary Applied Sciences in Sainte-Hyacinthe, Québec. He worked in the Department of Anesthesiology at the Large and Small Animal Hospital, as well as a leader for technical assistants in the equine branch of the Large Animal Hospital in Sainte-Hyacinthe. Dr. Ballydier holds a Bachelors of Microbiology & Immunology from the University of Montréal in addition to his Higher Technician Certificate from L’École de Tous les Futurs in Lyon, France.
Dr. Allison Bechtel (Small Animal Internal Medicine Resident) completed her DVM program here at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. At VCA Alameda East Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital in Denver, Colorado, Dr. Bechtel worked as a small animal internal medicine speciality intern and small animal rotating intern. In addition, she served as a veterinary assistant at Prairie Oak Veterinary Clinic in Normal, Illinois and advanced shelter medicine clinical rotation intern at the Champaign County Humane Society. Besides her DVM, Dr. Bechtel holds degrees in Psychology and Gender & Women’s Studies.
Dr. Rebecca Bernstein (Medical Oncology Clinical Trials Intern) finished her DVM program at The Royal Veterinary College in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. Dr. Bernstein interned as an oncology specialist at Mississippi State University. In Irvine, California, Rebecca worked as a small animal medicine and surgery rotating intern at Blue Pearl Pet Hospital, as well as an Emergency Veterinarian at Southern California Veterinary Specialty Hospital.
Dr. Rebecca Bishop (Equine Surgery Resident) received her DVM from Tufts University. Additionally, she holds degrees in Chemistry and Philosophy from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Dr. Bishop served as an equine rotating intern at the Mid Atlantic Equine Medical Center in Ringoes, New Jersey, and at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital. During her time at Tufts, she worked as a large animal student technician and sports medicine summer technician for large animals.
Chandler Carter (Clinical Pathology) earned her DVM degree from Purdue University in 2018, followed by a small animal rotating internship at VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists and one year in small animal general practice in Indiana.
Dr. Anthony Cerreta (Illinois Zoological and Aquatic Animal Resident) completed his DVM at North Carolina State University. He worked as a zoological and small animal medicine and surgery intern at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Cerreta worked as a veterinary technician in the Wildlife and Zoological Medicine Service at the University of Florida, as well as a veterinary intern at the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Biology from the University of Florida, where he graduated summa cum laude.
Dr. Monica Chen (Small Animal Surgery Intern) holds a DVM from University of California, Davis. Dr. Chen has research experience with Stanford and University of California, San Diego. She interned with Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center as a small animal surgery specialist and a small animal medicine and surgery rotating intern at Kansas State University.
Dr. Jennifer Clegg (Dermatology Intern) received her DVM from Texas A&M University, where she also attained a degree in Biomedical Sciences. She worked as a rotating intern at The Center for Specialized Veterinary Care in Westbury, New York, and as an associate for the Animal Emergency and Referral Center of West Houston. Dr. Clegg worked as an emergency clinician for the Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners in Houston, Texas.
Dr. James Cryer (Anesthesiology Resident) holds a DVM from Texas A&M University, where he worked as an intern for Wildlife Conservation Medicine and small animal rotation. Furthermore, Dr. Cryer served as a wildlife pathobiology laboratory technician and anesthesia veterinary technician at Texas A&M. He completed numerous externships in places such as Sanibel Island, Florida, Nelspruit, South Africa, Beijing, China, and Munich, Germany.
Dr. Yanshan Er (Small Animal Emergency/Critical Care Resident) received her DVM equivalent from the University of Sydney, Australia. She interned in rotating small animal medicine and surgery at Coral Springs Animal Hospital, as well as a full-time emergency veterinarian at IronHorse VetCare Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care Center in Dublin, California. From 2014-2015, she worked as a veterinary intern in Sydney and Camden, Australia.
Dr. Lindsey Graham (Neurology and Neurosurgery Resident) completed her DVM here at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Dr. Graham worked as a small animal rotating intern at the University of Tennessee, neurology and neurosurgery intern at the University of Illinois, and a Veterinary Assistant at the West Valley Animal Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Amanda Huffman (Zoological Pathology Resident) earned her DVM from North Carolina State University in 2020. She will spend the first year of her residency in Urbana before moving to the Chicago area to complete her training with the Zoological Pathology Program.
Dr. Lindsey Humphries (Cardiology Resident) received her DVM from Colorado State University, as well as a Masters of Science in Biomedical Sciences. She completed small animal rotating internship at North Carolina State University. Dr. Humphries participated in a multitude of externships and experiences in places such as Granada, Nicaragua, UlaanBaatar, Mongolia, San Diego, California, and Los Angeles, California.
Dr. Antonia Ioannou (Small Animal Medicine/Surgery Rotating Intern) received her DVM equivalent from the University of Glasgow. She worked as an extern at Gunston Animal Hospital in Lorton, Virginia, Friendship Animal Hospital in Washington, D.C, University of Pennsylvania Ryan Veterinary Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Vets Now Emergency Service in Glasgow, Scotland. Beyond her veterinary skills, Dr. Ioannou speaks English, French, Portuguese, and Greek.
Dr. Twisha Jani (Small Animal Medicine Intern) holds a DVM from Western University of Health Sciences. She worked as a veterinary technician at West Lake Animal Hospital in Tarpon Springs, and as an associate veterinarian at Gandy Animal Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Among her extern work, Dr. Jani worked at South Florida Wildlife Center, Roger Williams Park Zoo, VCA Los Angeles Veterinary Specialists Internal Medicine, and ASEC Small Animal Surgery.
Dr. Kaitlyn Jonk (Equine Medicine/Surgery Rotating Intern) received her DVM from the Ross School of Veterinary Medicine in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis. She completed her clinical year through the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, Scotland. Dr. Jonk has worked in both research, laboratory, and veterinary assistant roles.
Dr. Jaeyoung Kim (Small Animal Medicine/Surgery Rotating Intern) received her DVM from Seoul National University, where she served as a PhD candidate of Science and a small animal internal medicine intern. At the University of Missouri, Dr. Kim was a part of the Program for Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE). In South Korea, she worked as a biosafety consultant and attending veterinarian for the Korea Bank for Pathogenic Viruses. Dr. Kim is also a member of IACUC and IBC for the Lab Animal Research and Biosafety Center at Korea University College of Medicine.
Dr. Jennifer Kuzminksy (Small Animal Surgery Resident) completed her DVM at Kansas State University. She holds a Masters of Science in Neurobiology from Colorado State University. Dr. Kuzminksy worked as a surgical intern for both University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston. Furthermore, she interned in general rotating surgery and medicine at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Colorado.
Dr. Danielle Martindale (Small Animal Emergency/Critical Care Resident) attained her DVM here at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She served as a veterinary assistant at SportsVet Animal Medical Center in Savoy, Illinois, Noah’s 11 Stop Animal Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Purdue University Teaching Hospital in West Lafayette, Indiana. Dr. Martindale also worked as a veterinary surgical assistant at Parrett Veterinary Clinic in Plymouth, Indiana and as a small animal rotating intern at VCA Arboretum View Animal Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois.
Dr. Elizabeth Moyer (Equine Surgery Intern) received her DVM from Mississippi State University. She has experience as an equine rotating intern at North Carolina State University, as well as a veterinary technician at New England Equine Practice in Patterson, New York. She completed extern work for Dixie Equine Medicine and Surgery in Jackson, Mississippi, and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospitals in Lexington, Kentucky and Saratoga, New York. Dr. Moyer worked as a member of advanced clinical rotation for equine orthopedics at North Carolina State University.
Dr. Alberto Oramas (Small Animal Surgery Intern) completed his DVM at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canarias. At the University of Florida, Gainesville, he fulfilled a small animal rotating internship and a surgical oncology internship. In addition, he lectured on emergency and critical care. Dr. Oramas worked as a veterinary surgeon and veterinary technician at PDSA Hospital in Leicester and Cardiff, United Kingdom and Bronx Veterinary Center, New York, respectively.
Dr. Aaron Paushter (Neurology and Neurosurgery Resident) attained his DVM here at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He interned in small animal medicine and surgery at North Carolina University as well as laboratory animal medicine at the University of Chicago. Beyond internships, Dr. Paushter worked as a research assistant at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Dr. Pedro Raigosa Gómez (Equine Internal Medicine Resident) received his DVM equivalent at the Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango. Dr. Raigosa Gómez worked as an equine veterinary resident and intern at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, in Mexico City. Since 2013, he has participated in the Mexican Association of Equine Practitioners (AMMVEE) Congress.
Dr. Eryn Reznicek (Small Animal Emergency/Critical Care Intern) finished her DVM at Mississippi State University. She also holds a Master of Science in Animal Sciences from Texas A&M University. Dr. Reznicek worked as a small animal rotating intern at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. At the Belton Veterinary Clinic in Belton, Texas, she interned as large animal technician, barn manager, ICU technician, and small animal surgery.
Dr. Adrienne Rhodes (Equine Medicine/Surgery Rotating Intern) completed her DVM at Michigan State University. She worked as an intern in equine surgery at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital and as a veterinarian at Countryside Large Animal Veterinary Services in Greeley, Colorado. Dr. Rhodes also worked as a veterinary assistant at the Pet Health Center in DeWitt, Michigan.
Dr. Amanda Seelman (Oncology Resident) received her DVM from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. She works as a rotating intern for the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego, and completed various research apprenticeships through Stanford, University of Florida, Gainesville, and Western University of Health Sciences.
Dr. Ava Song (Small Animal Surgery Resident) finished her DVM at the University of Missouri, Columbia, graduating cum laude. She worked as a small animal medicine and surgery rotating intern at the University of Tennessee, as well as a small animal surgery speciality intern at the Coral Springs Animal Hospital. She currently works as a small animal surgery specialty intern at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Dr. Pedro Juan José Soto Elías (Small Animal Medicine/Surgery Rotating Intern) completed his DVM at Michigan State University. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Aguadilla, as well as a minor in Biomedicine. Dr. Soto Elías worked as a veterinary assistant at the Animal Medical Clinic in Aguada, Puerto Rico and a student employee at BluePearl Emergency Veterinary & Specialty Hospital. Beyond his veterinary experience, Dr. Soto Elías was involved with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Michigan State University.
Dr. Ashley Souza (Small Animal Medicine/Surgery Rotating Intern) received her DVM from North Carolina State University. In Raleigh, North Carolina, she worked as a student intern at SAFE Haven Cat Shelter and as a veterinary assistant at the Banfield Pet Hospital. In addition to her North Carolina experiences, Dr. Souza is versed in independent research, which she completed in San Cristobal, Galapagos.
Dr. Kianna Spencer (Equine Theriogenology Resident) finished her DVM at Ohio State University. She interned at Pine Bush Equine in Pine Brush, New York, and worked as an associate veterinarian at North Winds Veterinary Services in Dalton, Pennsylvania. Dr. Spencer has been involved in equine research at Penn State.
Dr. Ruth Stewart (Equine Medicine/Surgery Rotating Intern) received her DVM equivalent from the University of Edinburgh. She worked as a rotating intern at Mississippi State University and Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital in Victoria, Australia. Beyond her internship work, Dr. Stewart completed various Equine externships across the globe in places such as Ontario and Manitoba, Canada, West Sussex, United Kingdom, and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Dr. Regan Stoneburner (Small Animal Medicine/Surgery Rotating Intern) completed her DVM at North Carolina State University, where she worked as a student surgery technician at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Dr. Stoneburner worked as a veterinary assistant in Greenville, North Carolina at the Banfield Pet Hospital and the Pet Emergency Clinic of Pitt County. At the Points East Veterinary Specialty Hospital, she worked as the lead surgical assistant.
Dr. Andrew Thiel (Anatomic Pathology Resident) earned his DVM from the University of Florida in 2017. He worked in small animal practice for three years before beginning his residency program at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Dr. Christine Tran Hoang (Small Animal Medicine/Surgery Rotating Intern) attained her DVM here at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She interned as an assistant animal technician at University of California, Davis, Veterinary Teaching Hospital for Dermatology and Rodent Facilities. Dr. Tran Hoang has research experience in comparative oncology at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, and the University of Illinois Comparative Oncology Research Lab.
Dr. Kelsey Trumpp (Zoological Medicine Intern) finished her DVM at Purdue University. She worked as a small animal medicine and surgery rotating intern at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, animal care intern at Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Chalfront, Pennsylvania, and a pre-veterinary intern at Buffalo Zoo, New York. Along with her internship experience, Dr. Trumpp participated in various externships and volunteer work at places such as the Asociacion de Rescate y Conservacion de Vida Silvestra in Petén, Guatemala, St. Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine, and Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Vienna Z00) in Vienna, Austria.
Dr. Alexandra Varela Ortiz (Small Animal Medicine/Surgery Rotating Intern) received her DVM from Tuskegee University. In Puerto Rico, she interned at USDA APHIS Veterinary Services in San Juan, Miradero Veterinary Clinic in Mayagüez as a veterinary assistant, and Hacienda Santa Elena in Cidra as a full-time professional practitioner. Dr. Varela Ortiz has research experience from Mississippi State University and lab experience from Tuskegee University. She is a member and former Treasurer of the Veterinary Business Management Association.
Dr. Mara Vernier (Small Animal Medicine/Surgery Rotating Intern) completed her DVM at the University of Missouri, where she also has experience as a small animal emergency assistant and head research dog walker. She worked as a technician assistant at the Highlands Eldorado Veterinary Hospital in McKinney, Texas, as well as an animal care assistant at City Vet LLC. in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Vernier has research experience with University of Missouri. She is a member of the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) and served as the rounds coordinator of the student chapter of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society.
Dr. Amanda Xue (Neurology and Neurosurgery Intern) attained her DVM from University of California, Davis. She interned in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, neurology at Canada West Veterinary Specialists, and as a clinical intern at Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Beijing China Agricultural University. As for extern work, Dr. Xue worked in emergency and critical care service at the University of Pennsylvania, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and the Animal Medical Center in New York City. She is fluent in English and Mandarin.
Dr. Jennifer Yee (Radiation Oncology Resident) received her DVM from Michigan State University. She worked as a small animal medicine, surgery, and smergency rotating intern at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C., and as a medical and radiation oncology specialty intern at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Florida. Dr. Yee has research experience with the University of Michigan’s Pharmacology Department and Wade Neuroscience Laboratory.
