"As a veterinarian I have a commitment to client education and am an advocate for quality patient care. I have a responsibility not only to provide the highest standard of care to each individual animal patient presented to me for treatment, but also to serve as a source of compassion, guidance, and knowledge for my clients to help them make informed decisions about the welfare of their beloved pets."

Education

Masters in Veterinary Wildlife Conservation Medicine from Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, 2007.

Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from University of Georgia, Athens, GA., 2003.

Bachelor of Science - Biology Pre-Professional, Bachelor of Arts - German from Bradley University, Peoria, IL., 1997.

Current Professional Organization Memberships

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA)
• Portland Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA)
• California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
• World Association of Wildlife Veterinarians (WAWV)
• Wildlife Disease Association (WDA)
• American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV)

Professional Awards and Accomplishments

• Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society
• Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars
• Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society
• Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society
• Merck Outstanding Senior Veterinary Student Award - 2003
• Georgia S. Downing Trust Scholarship for Superior Academic Achievement – 2003
• Dr. John T. and Loraine Westbrook Bradberry Award for Scholarship and Professional Activities – 2002
• Omega Tau Sigma Professional Veterinary Fraternity, James O. Scaife, Jr. Award for Scholarship, Leadership, and Character - 2002
• Georgia Veterinary Medical Association Auxiliary, Outstanding Sophomore Student Award - 2001
• Merial Award for Excellence in Veterinary Microbiology - 2001
• College of Veterinary Medicine Academic Excellence Awards – 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
• Professional Publication:
  • Flacke, Gabriella L., Michael J. Yabsley, Britta A. Hansen, and David E. Stallknecht. 2004. Hemorrhagic disease in Kansas: enzootic stability meets epizootic disease. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 40:288-293.

A Proponent for Animal Welfare

"I strongly believe in pet overpopulation control measures in order to reduce and eventually eliminate the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in shelters. This goal can at least partially be accomplished through strong public education campaigns to reduce relinquishment of unwanted animals to shelters and through advocating adoption of homeless animals from humane societies, shelters, and rescue organizations."

A Global Perspective

"I am actively involved with RAVS (Remote Area Veterinary Services), a volunteer organization sponsored by the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) that provides basic veterinary services to economically underprivileged communities in remote areas of the United States and abroad. I have also had a long-standing interest in wildlife medicine and conservation issues, both locally and globally. I have been fortunate throughout my career to have had several opportunities to participate in international wildlife veterinary programs and thus contribute to wildlife management and disease outbreak investigation. I plan to continue pursuing this interest while working at Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital by volunteering for wildlife organizations in the greater Portland area. Finally, in addition to serving the more traditional canine and feline patients, I have interest and experience in exotic pet medicine, primarily with psittacine bird species but also with small mammals including rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents, and ferrets."

Loves of My Life

"I share my life with my best friend and significant other, Gary, a wildlife conservationist from South Africa, our two crazy Labrador retrievers Montana and Nebraska, and our two cockatiels Peanut and Pretzel."