BluePearl-Michigan

Betsy Schnur, DVM

Kristi Valentini — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:09:26 +0000

Senior Clinician

On the Job:

Betsy Schnur, DVM, enjoys emergency medicine because of the fast-paced nature of the field. She has volunteered her veterinary services for wildlife organizations and equestrian therapy programs. Dr. Schnur is currently a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Education:

Internship, Texas A&M University, College Station
Internship, Purdue University, Richmond, IN
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames
Bachelor in Science, University of Findlay, Findlay, OH

Off Duty:

Dr. Schnur spends most of her free time with her houseful of animals including four dogs and one cat. She also enjoys traveling abroad, keeping and breeding poison dart frogs, and horseback riding.

Lindsay Phillips, DVM

Kristi Valentini — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:50:09 +0000

Resident

On the Job:

After several years of being in general veterinary practice, Lindsay Phillips, DVM, decided she wanted to pursue a specialty in veterinary surgery. She completed a surgical internship and is now gaining additional advanced training in veterinary surgery through her residency with BluePearl Veterinary Partners. She finds it extremely rewarding to help patients with minimally invasive techniques that reduce pain and speed recovery. Dr. Phillips also has a keen interest in soft tissue surgery and physical rehabilitation.

Education:

Internship, Small Animal Surgery, Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, Houston, TX
Internship, Small Animal Rotating, Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, Wheat Ridge, CO
Small Animal General Practitioner, Northview Animal Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, University of Tennessee
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing
Bachelor of Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing

Off Duty:

In her free time, Dr. Phillips tries to convince Lily, her 100-lb. great Dane, that she is not a lap dog. When not cuddling on the couch with Lily, Dr. Phillips is breaking a sweat with a long-distance run, skiing slopes or exploring oceanic flora and fauna while scuba diving.

Karyn Maxworthy, MS, DVM, DACVS

Kristi Valentini — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:37:53 +0000

Specialist, Board Certified in Veterinary Surgery

On the Job:

A love of marine mammals is what initially drew Karyn Maxworthy, MS, DVM, DACVS, to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. In school she decided to change her focus to small animals, and immensely enjoying her surgery rotations, decided to specialize in surgery as well. Within her specialty, she finds soft tissue surgery including oncologic, hepatobiliary and endocrine surgery as well as orthopedic surgery especially interesting.

Education:

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Residency, Washington State University, Pullman
Internship, Surgical, Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center, Plano, TX
Internship, Rotating, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing
Master’s of Science, Washington State University, Pullman
Bachelor of Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Off Duty:

While she loves to travel as a hobby, she’s happy to be settled in Michigan and close to family again. In her free time, she can be found spending time with her husband and two sons, playing team volleyball, or planning her next trip abroad.

Kyle Kerstetter, DVM, DACVS

Kristi Valentini — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:36:13 +0000

Specialist, Board Certified in Veterinary Surgery

On the Job:

With a suggestion from a high school biology teacher and an avid curiosity in the workings of biological systems, it seems only natural that Kyle Kerstetter, DVM, DACVS, became a veterinary surgeon. Within his specialty, he’s particularly interested in fracture healing and repair, joint surgery, hip and elbow replacement, knee injuries and TPLO, sports medicine and surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, and neurosurgery.

Education:

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Residency, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Internship, Michigan State University, East Lansing
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus
Bachelor of Science, Ashland University, Ashland, OH

Off Duty:

Dr. Kerstetter shares his Michigan home with his wife, three children, two dogs–Remington and Benelli—and two cats named Mardi Gras and Lagniappe. He enjoys retriever training, hunting and writing in his spare time.

Dan Degner, DVM, DACVS

Kristi Valentini — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:34:45 +0000

Specialist, Board Certified in Veterinary Surgery

On the Job:

After graduating from veterinary school, Dan Degner, DVM, DACVS, practiced in a general small animal veterinary office in Edmonton, Alberta. Loving surgery, he decided to pursue his advanced education. Within his specialty, he’s especially interested in soft tissue surgery including free tissue transfer, reconstructive plastic surgery, liver surgery, and feline kidney transplantation as well as orthopedic surgery.

Education:

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Residency, Michigan State University, East Lansing
Internship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada

Off Duty:

Dr. Degner’s home is with animals including Duncan, a rescued toy poodle; Pumpkin and Citronella, tortoiseshell kitties; and many exotic tropical fish. When he’s not working, Dr. Degner enjoys spending time with his family.

Amanda Conkling, DVM

Kristi Valentini — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:33:23 +0000

Associate Veterinarian

On the Job:

Amanda Conkling, DVM, originally intended to work with animals via a Ph.D in behavioral primatology. That changed when she worked with a veterinary surgeon and fell in love with surgery (although she still has a soft spot for primates). Dr. Conkling enjoys the spontaneity of being a surgeon – every day varies depending on the individual patient and client – and is especially interested in soft tissue surgery, oncologic surgery and reconstructive procedures.

Education:

Residency, Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, Copley, OH
Internship, Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, Copley, OH
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Bachelor of Arts, Rutgers State University, Newark, NJ

Off Duty:

When not in the operating room, Dr. Conkling spends time with her husband and four young children. They share their home with a wimpy hound mix named Murphy; Noel, a 14-year-old diva of a cat; and a pesky new kitten named Mudge.

Jitender Bhandal, BVSc, AH

Kristi Valentini — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:31:56 +0000

Resident

On the Job:

Jitender Bhandal, BVSc, AH, combined his interests in science, medicine and fondness for cats by becoming a veterinarian. His intense love of the surgical aspect of medicine defined his specialty. Within the surgical field, he’s most interested in advanced laparoscopic procedures, minimally invasive surgical techniques, thoracic surgeries, neurosurgeries and corrective angular limb deformity. He’s now completing a three-year residency for advanced training in surgery.

Education:

Residency, Michigan Veterinary Specialists, Southfield, MI
Orthopedic Research Fellowship, University of California, Davis, CA
Surgical Internship, Canada West Veterinary Specialists, Vancouver
Rotating Internship, University of Guelph, Ontario
Internship, Punjab Agricultural University, India
Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Punjab Agricultural University, India

Off Duty:

In his free time, Dr. Bhandal enjoys swimming, soccer, horseback riding, playing chess and listening to classical music with his family which includes his wife, daughter and Gabby, a short-haired kitty.

Katie Tillman, DVM

Kristi Valentini — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:29:39 +0000

Senior Clinician

On the Job:

Katie Tillman, DVM, knew she wanted to be a veterinarian since the 4th grade. She would sit in the back room of her grandmother’s house and wait for her grandma to bring the cat to her for his “appointment.” What she enjoys most about her job treating emergency patients is helping them through tough situations. In her chosen field, she is especially interested in seizures and cardiovascular emergencies.

Education:

Internship, Animal Emergency & Referral Center, Northbrook, IL
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing
Bachelor of Science, Oakland University, Rochester, MI

Off Duty:

When not working in the ER, Dr. Tillman enjoys traveling and spending time with her pets – her dancing basenji mix Norma and Oscar the Grouch, a three-toed rescued cat that spent the first two months in her new home hissing at Dr. Tillman and her husband.

Sayra Reyes, DVM

Kristi Valentini — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:28:14 +0000

Senior Clinician

On the Job:

Sayra Reyes, DVM, loves helping and healing pets she sees through the Emergency Service and is particularly interested in gastrointestinal disease and toxicities.

Education:

Internship, Michigan Veterinary Specialists, Grand Rapids, MI
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing
Bachelor of Science, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras

Off Duty:

When not in the hospital, Dr. Reyes relaxes with a book, snuggles with her corgi mix pooch named Kyler or is found dancing with her husband.

Rebecca Lein, DVM

Kristi Valentini — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:26:49 +0000

Senior Clinician

On the Job:

Having always known she wanted to be a veterinarian, Rebecca Lein, DVM, chose to concentrate on emergency medicine because she likes the fast-paced environment, working with multiple medical disciplines, and helping people and their pets during a time of urgent need. She finds trauma cases particularly interesting.

Education:

Internship, Animal Emergency & Referral Center, Northbrook, IL
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Bachelor of Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Off Duty:

Dr. Lein is originally from Wisconsin but now lives in Grand Rapids with three furry family members. Emma is a Persian mix that was a birthday gift, Monty is a poodle mix that was rescued from a puppy mill at four years old, and Porter is a pit bull mix that needed a new owner after being hit by a car at five months old and suffering serious injuries. When not spending time with her patients or her pets, Dr. Lein enjoys traveling and outdoor sports.