VMX Find an Expert

VMX presents an exceptional opportunity for members of the media to engage with world-renowned veterinary leaders who are presenting at VMX 2025 on some of the most exciting trends and advances in veterinary medicine. To help reporters gain access to and secure interviews with veterinary leaders on a broad range of topics, we have once again created our Team of Veterinary Experts who are presenting at VMX 2025 and are available for interviews.
To coordinate and schedule interviews with members of our Team of Veterinary Experts, please email [email protected]. For additional information, visit NAVC.com/Press.

Eric Garcia
CEO and Digital Strategist at Simply Done Tech Solutions
Topics: Artificial Intelligence, Veterinary Technology, Marketing, Communications
Eric Garcia is an internationally recognized IT and digital strategist, and 2020 VMX Speaker of the Year.
When it comes to helping veterinary practices streamline their technology and attract and retain clients, Eric Garcia has a proven track record of educating the industry and producing results.
Eric is an internationally recognized IT and digital strategist working exclusively within the field of veterinary medicine. Eric’s work has been recognized throughout the industry.
Eric was voted VMX 2020 Speaker of the Year by conference attendees. He speaks regularly at conferences throughout the world.
Mark Mitchell, DVM, MS, PhD, DECZM (Herpetology)
Director of the Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana
Topics: Zoo Medicine, Wildlife Conservation Medicine, Herpetology, Avian Medicine
Dr. Mark Mitchell is a Professor of Zoological Medicine at Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine and focuses on the conservation of wildlife and improving the quality of life for captive species.
Dr. Mark A. Mitchell received his DVM in 1992 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MS in clinical epidemiology (wildlife medicine) from the University of Illinois in 1997. He completed his PhD in clinical epidemiology (Salmonella spp. in reptiles) at Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2001. From 1996-2007, Dr. Mitchell served as a member of the zoological medicine service at LSU, and from 2007-2016 served as a founding member of the zoological medicine service at the University of Illinois. From 2016-2020 he served as the hospital director of the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. He has now returned full-time to his professorship and is the director of the Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana.
His clinical interests include all species from invertebrates to vertebrates. His research focus is on conservation of wildlife and improving the quality of life for captive species. He lectures to veterinary and graduate students on a number of topics, including clinical medicine for zoological/wildlife species, epidemiology and biostatistics. Dr. Mitchell has published five books, 49 book chapters, 275 peer-reviewed articles and more than 500 scientific abstracts and proceedings. Dr. Mitchell is a past-president (2000-2001) of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, and the first recipient of the ARAV Excellence Award (2016). He has served as the co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine (2005-2019) and editor-in-chief for the Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery (2009-2021). He is currently the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery (2021-present).


Kemba Marshall, MPH, DVM, SHRM-CP
Founder of Marshall Recruiting Consortium
Topics: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine, Client Retention
With demonstrated experience in private, emergency and lab animal medicine, Dr. Kemba Marshall is a published author and advocate for diversity in agriculture and animal health sciences.
Dr. Kemba Marshall earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. After a one-year internship, she completed a residency in Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Marshall earned her Master’s in Public Health degree from the University of Iowa in 2018.
Dr. Marshall spent five years in private, emergency and lab animal medicine after completing her residency. Dr. Marshall also has held roles at the PetSmart’s corporate office as director of pet quality and education and the Land O’ Lakes Purina Animal Nutrition Center as director of veterinary services.
She has authored peer-reviewed journal articles and served as guest editor for publications including the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, 5-Minute Veterinary Clinics and the Veterinary Clinics of North America. Marshall’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine book is set to be released by Wiley Publishing on March 11, 2025.
In 2020, Dr. Marshall founded Marshall Recruiting Consortium to address the lack of diversity in agriculture and animal health sciences. Today, Kemba splits her time between working in general practice and consulting with animal health organizations to build teams that drive businesses forward.

Jennifer Groover, DVM, DACVECC, NRAEMT
Board-Certified Specialist in Emergency Critical Care at Fetch
Topics: Emergency and Critical Care
Dr. Jennifer Groover is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency Critical Care and started an Emergency Critical Care Service at Fetch Specialty & Emergency Veterinary Centers.
Dr. Jennifer Groover graduated from Rice University in 2013, majoring in Kinesiology as well as Biological Sciences and concurrently worked as a Nationally Registered Advanced EMT. She obtained her DVM from the University of Florida in 2017, completed a rotating internship at Michigan State University, and then completed an Emergency Critical Care residency at University of Florida in 2021.
After becoming a Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Emergency Critical Care (ACVECC) in 2021, she started an Emergency Critical Care service at Fetch Specialty & Emergency Veterinary Centers in Brandon, Florida. Her service offers extracorporeal therapies such as therapeutic plasma exchange and dialysis as well as mechanical ventilation.
Her interests include ultrasonography, toxicity management, acute kidney injury and ventilation. In her spare time, Dr. Groover loves swimming with her Jack Russel Terrier, playing board games with her friends, kayaking, skiing and scuba-diving.

Martin Haulena, DVM, MSc, DACZM
Head Veterinarian & Director, Animal Health and Research at the Vancouver Aquarium; Executive Director of the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Society
Topics: Exotic Medicine, Aquatic Medicine, Pain Management, Animal Welfare, Geriatric Medicine
Dr. Martin Haulena is a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine, adjunct assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University and adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia Fisheries Centre.
Dr. Martin Haulena graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph in 1993. He completed a clinical internship in aquatic animal medicine at Mystic Aquarium in 1996 and a Master’s degree in pathobiology from the University of Guelph in 1999. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine in 2007. Dr. Haulena was the staff veterinarian at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California for nine years and has been head veterinarian and director of animal health and research at the Vancouver Aquarium since 2006. He also serves as the executive director of the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Society.
His special interests are in the medical management of aquatic animals, particularly marine mammals, with emphasis on innovative diagnostic methods, developing safe anesthetic protocols and improving surgical techniques. Veterinary students and veterinarians from around the world study aquatic animal medicine each year under the direction of Dr. Haulena. He serves as adjunct assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University and adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia Fisheries Centre. His professional affiliations include the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine for which he is a past-president, Wildlife Disease Association and the American Association of Zoological Veterinarians. He has authored more than 95 scientific journal articles and book chapters.

Jörg Mayer, DVM, DABVP (ECM), DECZM, DACZM
Professor in Zoological Medicine at University of Georgia
Topics: Farm Animal, Zoo Medicine, Exotic Animal
Dr. Jörg Mayer is a Diplomate of the American and the European College of Zoological Medicine, an International Fulbright Specialist in Zoological Medicine, and 2024 VMX Exotic Speaker of the Year.

Mary Gardner, DVM
Co-Founder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice
Topics: Geriatric Medicine, End-of-Life Care, Human Animal Bond
Dr. Mary Gardner helped create the leading resource for families and veterinarians navigating end-of-life care. She is a published author, and 2020 VMX Small Animal Speaker of the Year.
Dr. Mary Gardner has a passion for helping pets and their families during the final stages of life. Nothing brings her more joy than caring for a grey-muzzled dog or a skinny old cat. Her mission is to improve the quality of life and medical care for senior and geriatric pets and to ensure their final moments are as peaceful and dignified as possible.
A proud graduate of the University of Florida, Dr. Gardner co-founded Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, a national network of more than 400 veterinarians dedicated to in-home hospice and euthanasia services. Lap of Love has become the leading resource for families and veterinarians navigating end-of-life care.
Dr. Gardner has authored multiple books, including It’s Never Long Enough (dogs) and Nine Lives Are Not Enough (cats), which provide heartfelt guidance for families with aging pets. She also co-authored the textbook Treatment and Care of the Veterinary Patient and the children’s activity book Forever Friend, which gently helps children cope with saying goodbye to a beloved dog.
Her engaging presentations and expertise have made her a sought-after speaker and educator in veterinary medicine and she was honored as the VMX Small Animal Speaker of the Year in 2020.

Sheilah Robertson, BVMS (Hons), PhD, DACVAA, DECVAA, DACAW, DECAWBM (WSEL), CertVA, FRCVS
Senior Medical Director at Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice
Topics: Geriatric Medicine, End-of-Life Care, Human Animal Bond
Dr. Sheilah Robertson is a published author, holds a certificate in small animal acupuncture and shelter medicine, and also is a certified Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Palliative and End-of-Life practitioner.
After graduating from the University of Glasgow in Scotland, Dr. Sheilah Robertson undertook specialized training in anesthesia and pain management. She is board-certified in anesthesia and in animal welfare by the respective American and European Colleges and holds a certificate in small animal acupuncture and shelter medicine. She also is a certified Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Palliative and End-of-Life practitioner.
She has published widely on the recognition and alleviation of pain in companion animals and been a co-author for numerous clinical guidelines including the recent Feline Veterinary Medical Association’s and the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Feline Hospice and Palliative Care Guidelines, and the International Society of Feline Medicine’s consensus guidelines on the long-term use of NSAIDs in cats.
She is the senior medical director of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, a large network of more than 300 veterinarians dedicated to in-home end-of-life care. Dr Robertson is a courtesy lecturer in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida.

Nicole Ehrhart, VMD, DACVS
Professor, Surgical Oncology Department of Clinical Sciences School of Biomedical Engineering Flint Animal Cancer Center Colorado State University
Topics: Geroscience, Oncology and Tissue Regeneration
Dr. Nicole Ehrhart, professor of surgical oncology at Colorado State University’s (CSU) Department of Clinical Sciences and School of Biomedical Engineering, directs groundbreaking research at the Flint Animal Cancer Center. Renowned for advancing musculoskeletal biology, cancer and aging studies, she bridges human and veterinary medicine to improve treatment outcomes for both animals and people. She currently leads a transdisciplinary program focused on slowing cellular aging and age-related diseases in humans and companion dogs.
Dr. Ehrhart is the director of the Columbine Health System Center for Healthy Aging at CSU and a full professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences. She holds the Ross M Wilkins MD Limb Preservation Foundation University chair in Musculoskeletal Biology and Oncology at CSU and is the director of the Laboratory of Comparative Musculoskeletal Oncology and Traumatology. Dr Ehrhart is board-certified in veterinary surgery and a founding Fellow in Surgical Oncology. She has been actively involved in tissue regeneration research, mesenchymal stem cell biology and sarcoma research for the last 28 years, which spans the intersection between human and veterinary medicine. She has been a keynote speaker at various venues for translational research, both nationally and internationally. She currently holds joint faculty positions in the School of Biomedical Engineering, the Cell and Molecular Biology program, the Gates Regenerative Medicine Center at the University of Colorado and The University of Colorado Cancer Center. She has authored over 100 publications and has received over $28 million dollars in funded research. She also was the first woman to be granted a university-level endowed chair at Colorado State University in 2015.
Throughout her career, Dr. Ehrhart is most well-known for her leadership and fostering collaborations between veterinary researchers, veterinary clinicians, physicians and researchers from various disciplines. These collaborations have led to a deeper understanding of musculoskeletal biology and therapeutic approaches. Her work has not only contributed to a better understanding of musculoskeletal disease, cancers and aging but has also played a role in improving treatment outcomes for both animals and humans. Insights gained from her research have informed the development of novel treatment modalities.
She currently directs a large trans-disciplinary research program focused on strategies to slow cellular aging and age-related disease in both humans and companion dogs.

Sonia M Hernandez, DVM, DACZM, PhD
Multilingual Program Chair for VMX
Dr. Sonia Hernandez is a professor at the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources College of Veterinary Medicine. She is currently the multilingual program chair for VMX and is overseeing the VMX 2025 Spanish language track of VMX this year.
Dr. Hernandez is a Josiah Meigs distinguished professor in a joint appointment at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine since 2008.
She was raised in Madrid, Spain and moved to New Orleans when she was 12 years old. She is a wildlife veterinarian (LSU, 1996). Dr. Hernandez originally trained as a clinician and completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at a specialty practice in Arizona (1997) and then held a residency in zoological medicine at Cornell University from 1998 - 2001, after which she became a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine (2002). She worked in private practices, zoos and as a clinical instructor until she returned to school and earned a PhD in Ecology from UGA (2008). Dr. Hernandez teaches several courses to undergraduate, graduate and veterinary students, including Wildlife Disease Investigation for graduate students, Wildlife Diseases for veterinary students, Conservation Medicine & Biology course in Costa Rica, Ornithology, and Field Ornithology in Costa Rica and others. Her research activities focus on wildlife diseases and, specifically, how human activities affect the ecology and health of wildlife and often for the purpose of conserving biodiversity. She is a Fulbright Scholar (2021). Dr. Hernandez has received the UGA Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award (2021), the Warnell Professor of the Year (2018), the university-wide Richard B. Russell Award for Excellence in Teaching (2017), and the Warnell Outstanding Teaching Award (2013). She is the proud mom of Paxton and twins Ashton and Maya.

Danielle DeCormier, LVT, VTS (Oncology), CFE
Director of Clinical Services Education at MedVet
Topics: Oncology
Danielle DeCormier, a distinguished veterinary professional known for her expertise in oncology and commitment to education, is director-at-large for oncology at the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians (AIMVT).
Danielle DeCormier is a distinguished veterinary professional known for her expertise in oncology and commitment to education. She has been a licensed veterinary technician for more than 10 years and obtained her VTS in oncology in 2018. As the director of clinical services education at MedVet, she oversees learning initiatives, manages a scholarship program and contributes to strategic planning, showcasing her leadership in shaping the future of veterinary technicians.
In previous roles, Danielle implemented training systems, organized webinars and developed oncology training programs. Her vast teaching and speaking experience reflects her dedication to sharing knowledge. She is the current director-at-large for oncology in AIMVT and lectures internationally on various topics, including chemotherapy, well-being, training and leadership.

Ron Ofri, DVM, PhD, DECVO
Award-Winning Professor in Veterinary Ophthalmology at the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Topics: Ophthalmology, Neurology
Dr. Ron Ofri is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology, leader of groundbreaking work on retinal gene therapy, published author and international speaker.
Dr. Ron Ofri was a member of the charter class of the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. Upon his graduation, he traveled to the University of Florida, where he spent the next four years undergoing clinical training in veterinary ophthalmology and obtaining his Ph.D. During this time, Dr. Ofri developed an interest in the physiology of vision, focusing on retinal electrophysiology and animal models of retinal diseases. Upon his graduation, Dr. Ofri returned to Israel and joined the faculty of his alma mater, where he is currently a professor in veterinary ophthalmology and winner of numerous Teacher of the Year awards.
At the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Dr. Ofri expanded his research interests to include clinical veterinary ophthalmology and retinal gene therapy. His groundbreaking work on retinal gene therapy on a herd of sheep with naturally occurring day blindness has resulted in restoration of vision in treated animals for more than six years and has paved the way to FDA approval of Phase I/IIa clinical trials in human patients.
Dr. Ofri also is a very popular international speaker, having been invited to talk in more than 40 countries and six continents, lecturing in continuing education seminars, national & international meetings and world congresses for general practitioners including BSAVA, SEVC, WSAVA, WVC, WVAC and NAVC/VMX. He also lectures frequently in advanced training courses for veterinary ophthalmologists, including lectureship at the basic science course of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (where he has been speaking since 2002) and numerous other forums. During the COVID pandemic, he gave dozens of online lectures.
Dr. Ofri has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers, is a contributing author to the Gelatt's classic textbook Veterinary Ophthalmology (3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th editions), as well as co-author of the popular textbook Slatter's Fundamentals of Veterinary Ophthalmology (4th, 5th and 6th editions). Dr. Ofri is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ECVO), a former ECVO executive board member and scientific committee member. From 2002-2005, he served as president of the European Society of Veterinary Ophthalmology.

Sarah Marvel, DVM, DACVS-SA
Assistant Professor in General Surgery at Colorado State University
Topics: Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery
Dr. Sarah Marvel is an American College of Veterinary Surgeons Fellow in surgical oncology and minimally invasive surgery (soft animal tissue).
Dr. Sarah Marvel received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University in 2003 and then went on to obtain her DVM from the University of Wisconsin in 2009. She completed a small animal rotating internship and a residency in small animal surgery at Colorado State University. In 2014, she achieved board certification from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (DACVS-SA). Following her surgical residency, she completed fellowships in surgical oncology and minimally invasive surgery. She is currently an assistant professor in general surgery at Colorado State University. Research interests include near infrared fluorescence imaging, trauma and minimally invasive surgery. In her free time, she enjoys backpacking, scuba diving, traveling and snowshoeing.

Sherrie Clark, DVM, MS, PhD, DACT
Professor (Theriogenology) and Assistant Department Head in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Topics: Swine, Farm Animal, Reproduction
Dr. Sherrie Clark has demonstrated experience as a professor of Theriogenology and large animal sciences. She is board certified by the American College of Theriogenologists.
Dr. Sherrie Clark received her DVM from the Virginia-Maryland (VA-MD) Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. Upon graduation, she was accepted into a dual residency/M.S. degree program in Theriogenology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine at the University of Illinois. During her residency, she completed the Executive Veterinary Program in Swine Health Management. Dr. Clark subsequently remained at the University of Illinois to pursue a Doctorate of Philosophy in the Department of Animal Sciences.
In 2003, she obtained her PhD in reproductive physiology and passed the board certification examination for the American College of Theriogenologists. That same year, she accepted a tenure-track assistant professor position in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine Farm Animal Reproduction, Medicine and Surgery Section at the University of Illinois. She is currently a professor (Theriogenology) and assistant department head in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dana Varble, DVM, CAE
Chief Veterinary Officer for the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC)
Topics: Veterinary Industry Trends and Issues, Continuing Education, Non-traditional Pet Medicine, Exotics, Human-Animal Bond
Dr. Dana Varble has practiced clinical medicine in exotic pet, small animal general practice and emergency medicine, and serves as an associate veterinarian for Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital.
Dr. Dana Varble received her veterinary degree from the University of Illinois in 2003 and earned her Certified Association Executive designation from ASAE in 2021. She has practiced clinical medicine in exotic pet, small animal general practice and emergency medicine and serves as an associate veterinarian for Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital. She has spoken locally, nationally and internationally on herpetological and exotic animal medicine and the state of the veterinary profession. She served as the president of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians in 2013 and presently works as the managing editor of the Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery for ARAV.
In 2015, Dr. Varble joined NAVC and in January 2020, she was named Chief Veterinary Officer. As an NAVC spokesperson and a veterinary industry expert, she promotes animal health and the veterinary profession through media interviews and appearances including CNN, NBC News, local media outlets and others including regular appearances on WGN radio on the Lisa Dent Show. She is the author of Today’s Veterinary Practice column, The Secret Life of Vets.
She shares her home with a Leonberger named Kodi, a Mastiff mix named Denali, a tank of cichlids, four ball pythons, a New Caledonian Giant Gecko and her human family.

Amanda Guthrie, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ECZM (ZHM), MRCVS
Head of Wildlife Health Services at the Zoological Society of London, ZSL London Zoo, and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Topics: Zoo Medicine, Wildlife Conservation Medicine
Dr. Amanda Guthrie practices at the world’s oldest scientific zoo, where Charles Darwin studied the behavior of animals to develop his theories. She is a Diplomate in the American College of Zoological Medicine and European College of Zoological Medicine (Zoo Health Management Specialty).
Dr. Amanda Guthrie grew up on a farm in rural North Carolina and completed her undergraduate studies at North Carolina State University. She graduated from veterinary school at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign in 2006. She attained Diplomate status in the American College of Zoological Medicine in 2014 and the European College of Zoological Medicine (Zoo Health Management specialty) in 2016. She has been the veterinarian at three American, AZA-accredited zoos and is currently the Head of Wildlife Health Services at the Zoological Society of London, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
Amanda’s hobbies include visiting the pub with friends, international travel, wine tasting and caring for her more than 100 houseplants.