SAGE

Background and Education

Veterinary School: Oregon State University
Anesthesia Residency: North Carolina State University
Board Certification: American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (1989)
Postdoctoral NIH Fellowship: North Carolina State University
Certification: PhD – Pulmonary Physiology (1992)

Dr. Kris Kruse-Elliott is SAGE’s anesthesiologist. Dr. Kruse-Elliott is a board-certified veterinarian specializing in anesthesia (delivery of drugs to keep patients immobilized, pain-free and comfortable during procedures and surgery) and analgesia (management of acute and chronic pain). An Oregon native, Dr. Kruse-Elliott earned her B.S. in General Science and her Veterinary Medicine degree at Oregon State University. She started her career as a veterinary practitioner, but was always interested in heart and lung physiology and how anesthesia could be used safely in patients with cardiopulmonary disease. She pursued her passion, completed a residency and became board certified in anesthesia, and followed with a postdoctoral fellowship and Ph.D. in Pulmonary Physiology from North Carolina State University.

Before moving to the Bay Area, Dr. Kruse-Elliott was on faculty at the University of Wisconsin where she taught anesthesia and ran the anesthesia service, providing clinical anesthesia to a wide variety of species. She has run her own active federally funded research program and served on research teams that have received federal and private support to study animal disease and treatments, including management of post-surgical pain in cats and dogs. Her published work is vast and includes co-authorship of a 2015 manuscript in Science about how algae toxins can impair sea lion memory and hippocampal connectivity and lead to the animals being stranded. Dr. Kruse-Elliott has also been involved with The Marine Mammal Center of California and their work to study the effects of algae toxicity—the project has been documented by National Geographic.

Background and Education

Veterinary School: Purdue University
Internship Training: Washington State University, Florida Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center
Residency Training: University of California, Davis
Certification: Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology) (2014)

Dr. Sarah Silverman earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University. She completed her undergraduate studies at Quinnipiac University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Following veterinary school, Dr. Silverman completed a small animal rotating medicine and surgery internship at Washington State University, which was followed by cardiology specialty internship at Florida Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center. She then completed a three-year residency in cardiology at the University of California Davis. Prior to joining SAGE, Dr. Silverman worked as a cardiologist in private practice in Illinois.

When she’s not practicing, Sarah enjoys hiking, drinking wine, and listening to live music. She’s the proud owner of a dog and two cats.

Background and Education

Veterinary School: Colorado State University 
Residency Training: Tufts University

Dr. Amy Bell received her DVM from Colorado State University (2015). She then went on to complete a small animal rotating internship at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego (2016) and Emergency and Critical Care residency training at Tufts University (2019).

Dr. Bell has always been drawn to emergency and critical care due to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of critical cases. She is very excited to work closely with other departments to provide exceptional patient care in the emergency room and critical care unit.

Her clinical interests include trauma, transfusion medicine and coagulation, ventilation and cardiology.

When Dr. Bell is not treating patients, she enjoys traveling, hiking, yoga, cooking and exploring the Bay Area breweries and wineries. She has a Great Dane named Oberon, a Shepherd Mix named Molly Jane, and two diabetic cats – Nika and Cannoli.

Veterinary School: Colorado State University
Veterinary Internship Training: Oregon State University

Dr. Mary Ellen Finley came to veterinary medicine after years of teaching rafting and climbing with Outward Bound in Colorado and Utah, as well as working as an EMT in human medicine.

She completed an Master of Science degree with honors in Neuroanatomy and Physiology at Colorado State University (CSU). She stayed at CSU for veterinary school and graduated magna cum laude.

Dr. Finley completed her rotating internship at Oregon State University and a radiology fellowship at Washington State University. In addition to her work in the ER, she enjoys teaching and mentoring other veterinarians and technicians in emergency, critical care, and trauma care. She also has a special interest in pain management.

In her free time, Dr. Finley loves to get outdoors. She hikes and skis, and enjoys whitewater rafting, diving, and sea kayaking. She and her husband Jim have two flat coated retriever mixes, Ben and Jack.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Ross University
Internship Training: Animal Medical Center, New York

Dr. Emily Hanwell received her BS in International Business from the College of Charleston (2001) and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (2011). She completed her 4th year clinical rotations at Texas A&M University (2011). After veterinary school, she completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York, New York (2012).

Prior to her career in veterinary medicine, Dr. Hanwell worked in purchasing for a local government entity in Charleston, South Carolina and then for an investing company in Boston, Massachusetts. Her decision to change careers was based on her love for working with both people and animals. She especially enjoys emergency medicine due to the challenging and diverse nature of the cases. She has a particular interest in cardiology and toxicology-related emergencies.

When not at the hospital, Dr. Hanwell enjoys traveling, learning new languages, gardening, and spending time outside with her husband and two children. Dr. Hanwell is the proud owner of a mixed-breed, island dog by the name of Bryn.

Background & Education:

Veterinary School: Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Elizabeth Jensen graduated from the University of California, Davis and went on to receive her DVM from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Jensen always knew from a young age she wanted to be Veterinarian and currently has over 15 years of experience within the veterinary industry as a veterinary technician, RVT, and DVM.  

She enjoys the challenge of diagnosing and treating a patient in order to save their life. She gets the most rewarding feeling seeing a pet recover from a serious illness or injury and watching their personality and energy return.

Dr. Jensen clinical interests include Addisonian crisis, trauma, and neonatal care

When Dr. Jensen is not in the hospital she is gardening, DIY home improvement projects, walking her two Boston Terriers, reading mystery novels, practicing yoga, spending time with family and friends. Fun fact, she has a one-eyed cat named Willie and eight chickens!

Background and Education
Residency Training: Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Internship Training: Angell Animal Medical Center

Dr. Kimberly Oparil received her undergraduate degree in Biopsychology and Child Development from Tufts University in 2010 and went on to graduate cum laude from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. After graduation, Dr. Oparil completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts and returned to Tufts Cummings School to complete her three-year residency training.

Dr. Oparil’s clinical and research interests include trauma, mechanical ventilation, and sepsis. She also has a strong interest in shelter medicine. She loves the fast-paced nature and holistic approach to the patient that emergency and critical care medicine entails. Dr. Oparil prides herself in providing patients with the highest quality of care and medicine.

In her free time, Dr. Oparil likes to read, cook and hike with her wife Amy and their two dogs, a Great Dane named Oberon and an island mix breed named Molly Jane. They also enjoy snuggling with their diabetic cat, Nika.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, Pomona, CA
Veterinary Internship Training: Veterinary Specialty Hospital, San Diego, CA

Dr. Dania Shirk earned her Bachelor degree in Biological Science at UC Santa Barbara, and started her career as a technician assistant and receptionist at veterinary hospitals across Rocklin and Sacramento. While earning her DVM at Western University in Pomona, she worked across the state, landing several externships that gave her exposure to shelter medicine, radiology, oncology, neurology, internal medicine, and emergency and critical care. She interned at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in San Diego and then returned to the Bay Area to work in emergency medicine. Dr. Shirk’s special areas of focus include acute kidney injury and hepatic disease.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, doing outdoor activities, traveling, and playing board games with family and friends. She has one dog, a Pomeranian mix named Kaya.

Background and Experience
Veterinary School: UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Internship Training: Animal Care Center, Sonoma County

Dr. Christina Waitzman’s family always had cats when she was growing up, and she was drawn to veterinary medicine from an early age. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from UC Davis and stayed there for veterinary school. While in veterinary school, she worked as an emergency veterinary assistant and discovered her true passion for emergency medicine.

Dr. Waitzman stayed in emergency and critical care after graduating from UC Davis, and has worked at practices across the Bay Area. She finds emergency and critical care medicine to be gratifying and interesting, and she gets immense satisfaction from helping animals and their people in times of need. Her areas of clinical interest are pain management, toxicities, endocrine emergencies, and hypotension/shock.

In her free time, Dr. Waitzman enjoys long-distance road cycling. She has completed many 200 mile+ events as well as Race Across America (RAAM). She also enjoys spending time with her husband, Michael, their kitties and their extended family. Other pastimes include traveling, gardening, reading and cooking. Dr. Waitzman’s pets include four very loving, playful, and spoiled cats: Arun, Tsegi, Mosi, and Pinkie. Dr. Waitzman says she’s very fortunate that they all get along like a harmonious circus.

Veterinary School: Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Kitts, WI
Internship Training: Oradell Animal Hospital, Paramus, NJ

Dr. Zachary (Zach) Wilcox is a graduate of the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, WI. He started his veterinary career with stints in the dairy industry in Central New York and eventually found his calling in emergency veterinary care. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences and Master’s degree in Epidemiology and Infectious Disease at Cornell University. He completed a clinical year of training at Texas A&M University.

Zach’s hobbies include travel, rock climbing, hiking and SCUBA diving.

Background & Education
Veterinary School: University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Internship Training: VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists

Dr. Wilson’s interests in small animal emergency, critical care, emergency surgery, shelter medicine, and oncology have taken her across the globe. She started her career as an animal attendant at a veterinary surgical center in West Toowoomba in southern Queensland, Australia, while earning her Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree at the University of Southern Queensland. After graduating with distinction and a faculty medal, she moved north to the University of Melbourne, where she earned her DVM in 2016.

From 2015 to 2016, Dr. Wilson enjoyed many incredible overseas adventures that gave her diverse experience in the veterinary world. She worked at the Chengdu Zoo and Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China, where she experienced firsthand the challenges and excitement of giant panda husbandry, handling, and conservation. She traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal to work in a treatment center that helped street dogs. She spent some time in Phuket, Thailand; Beaverton, Oregon; and Brooklyn, New York working in small animal general practices. And she also spent some time here in the Bay Area at the San Francisco SPCA treating shelter animals.

Dr. Wilson’s other experience includes a 12-month internship with a San Francisco veterinary specialty hospital where she rotated through Surgery, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Emergency, Oncology, Cardiology, Dentistry, Dermatology, Nutrition and Animal Behavior. She is particularly interested in managing critical and complicated cases, particularly emergency and critical surgery cases.

In her free time, Dr. Wilson enjoys spending time with animals, of course! She also enjoys camping, hiking and painting, and loves to travel and discover new food and music. She and her fiancé have a three pound, 13-year-old rescue Chihuahua named Stitch who is extremely needy, insists on being carried everywhere, and loves nothing more than taking naps and begging for food.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Tufts University
Internship Training: University of Georgia
Residency Training: University of Georgia
Certification: Diplomate ACVIM (1993)

Dr. Abbey Kaufman received her DVM from Tufts University in 1988. After veterinary school, she then completed both an internship and an internal medicine residency at the University of Georgia. Abbey moved to Charleston, South Carolina and started the area’s first internal medicine specialty practice. She remained in Charleston for 10 years before moving to the Bay Area to join SAGE Centers.

Dr. Kaufman’s special areas of interest include infectious diseases, treatment of amanita (mushroom) poisoning, gastrointestinal diseases and endoscopy, endocrine disorders, and hematologic (blood) disorders.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Ohio State University
Internship Training: University of Georgia
Residency Training: University of Georgia
Certification: Diplomate ACVIM (1999)

Dr. Heidi McClain is a graduate of West Virginia University where she earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Animal Science. She received her DVM from The Ohio State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine (1987). Dr. McClain completed a small animal internship, a three-year internal medicine residency, and a one-year clinical instructorship all at the University of Georgia (so when Dr. McClain exclaims, “How ’bout them Dogs?”, she is referring to her patients, and possibly the University of Georgia Bulldogs). Dr. McClain became board certified in internal medicine in 1999 and joined SAGE in 2002.

Dr. McClain particularly enjoys the challenges of endocrine diseases of all types, namely diabetes and thyroid disease, as well as cardiac disease, gastrointestinal issues and immune-mediated diseases. She relishes her role as a diagnostician, and then coordinates further treatment or gets the patient into the hands of another talented SAGE specialist.
When not practicing, Heidi enjoys a nice glass of wine and accompanying appetizers, and has also been known to pull over for a great croissant or other fine baked good. She was drawn to veterinary medicine when her mother told her in the 7th grade that she should be a veterinarian. Heidi took it to heart.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Residency Training: University of Minnesota
Certification: Diplomate ACVIM (2011)

Dr. L. Noelani Reinker is board-certified in veterinary internal medicine. She grew up on O’ahu in Hawaii and has always been passionate about animals—as a child she had a menagerie that consisted of fresh and saltwater fish (and a lobster), mice, birds, rabbits, cats, dogs, a lizard, and a horse. She has lived all over the country including Massachusetts (where she pursued her undergraduate studies), Colorado, Washington state, Michigan, and Minnesota. She completed her residency at the University of Minnesota and moved to Northern California in 2011 to “defrost.” Noelani’s veterinary passion is gastroenterology, with endocrinology as a close second. In her free time, she loves to backpack, SCUBA, and compete in triathlons. Her current pets include a cat and a 90-year old desert tortoise.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: University of Georgia
Internship Training: University of Georgia
Residency Training: University of Georgia
Certification: Diplomate ACVIM (2000)

Dr. Diane Roberts is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where she earned a BA in English literature and minored in both biology and religious studies. During her senior year in college, Dr. Roberts realized that her true passion was veterinary medicine and spent a post-grad year at Colorado State University in order to satisfy her vet school prerequisites. She then received her DVM from the University of Georgia’s School of Veterinary Medicine (1996). Dr. Roberts stayed at UGA to complete a small animal internship and an internal medicine residency. She became board certified in internal medicine in 2000 and joined SAGE as a partner in 2002.

Dr. Roberts likes all aspects of internal medicine, but particularly enjoys the challenges of airway conditions, liver and gastrointestinal diseases, and urinary issues. She specializes in interventional procedures that include urethral stenting, laser ablation of urinary tumors, and bladder and kidney stone removal. She also specializes in diagnosing airway diseases and treating these issues through tracheal stenting.

When not practicing, Diane enjoys the great outdoors: hiking, skiing, running, and hanging out on the beach with her dog Sundance, a yellow lab. Sundance spends many a day in the Critical Care Unit keeping morale high. Diane has been known to enjoy an occasional glass of fine wine, surely a nod to her days working in a high-end wine store during her later college years. Dr. Roberts was drawn to veterinary medicine by her positive experience with her own pets growing up: a sheltie and a black cat who provided unconditional love and support.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: University of Saskatchewan, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, Canada
Internship Training: Long Island Veterinary Specialists, Plainview, NY (Small Animal Medicine, Surgery and Emergency and Critical Care)
Neurology Internship Training: Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, Houston, TX (Small Animal Neurology)
Residency Training: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Certification: Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology) (2017)

Dr. Vivian Lau’s study of animals and her work to help them has taken her around the world. She started her veterinary career at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal Biology. She then went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada. During vet school, she spent a summer on the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s Global Vets India team. The following year she traveled to Palau where she served as a veterinary assistant to the Koror State Government veterinarian. She completed her residency in veterinary neurology at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. During her residency, she also completed a Masters of Science degree investigating the effects of cell therapy on ischemic stroke. Her previous veterinary experience spans medicine, surgery, emergency and critical care.

Vivian has presented extensively at veterinary symposiums on topics that include ischemic stroke, stem cell therapy, seizures, movement disorders, and inflammatory neurologic disorders. Her research has also been widely published in scientific articles and other publications.

Vivian’s areas of veterinary interest include spinal cord injury, inflammatory neurologic disorders, seizures, and central nervous system neoplasias.

When she is not practicing veterinary neurology, Vivian enjoys hiking, running, reading, and travelling. She also enjoys spending time with her fiancé and their three furry rescues.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Michigan State University
Internship Training: Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, New Jersey
Residency Training: Tufts University
Certification: Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology) (2015)

Dr. Bryan Marker is a graduate of Michigan State University, where he earned a BS in Zoology (2005) and his DVM (2010). After veterinary school, Dr. Marker completed a small animal rotating internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital (2011), and a medical oncology residency at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (2014). He became board certified in medical oncology in 2015.

Professionally, Dr. Marker is most interested in palliative care, cancer pain management, and hematologic cancers. Outside of work, Dr. Marker enjoys cooking, hiking outdoors, and gardening. He also enjoys the company of two rescued adult male cats, Smithers and Tom C. Bryan’s interest in oncology was first stimulated during an elective course in cancer biology while completing his bachelor’s degree.

Background and Education

Veterinary School: North Carolina State University
Residency Training: University of California, Davis

Dr. Marissa Ruppel received her DVM from North Carolina State University (2015). She went on to complete her small animal rotating internship at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center (2016) and her three-year Medical Oncology residency at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (2019).

Dr. Ruppel enjoys how multifaceted the nature of oncology is with both basic science and clinical medicine, as well as how intricate many of the cases are.  It is very rewarding for her to help clients navigate through various treatment options to help maximize their pet’s quality of life.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, trying local breweries, and exploring all that the Bay Area has to offer. She has two cats, Albus and Mowgli and loves music! Fun fact about Dr. Ruppel, she is an amateur ukulele player!

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Tufts University
Internship Training: Angell Animal Medical Center, Boston
Residency Training: Tufts University
Certification: Ph.D. – Cell and Molecular Biology (2005), Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology) (2013)

Dr. Naoko Sogame is a graduate of Texas A&M University where she earned a BS in Genetics. She earned a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (2005), and received her DVM from Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (2009). Dr. Sogame completed a small animal rotating internship at Angell Animal Medical Center (2010), then returned to Tufts for a medical oncology residency (2013). Dr. Sogame became board certified in internal medicine (oncology) in 2013 and joined SAGE in the same year.

Dr. Sogame particularly enjoys the challenges of Haematopoietic tumors, small molecule inhibitors/targeted therapy and palliative care, with the improvement of quality of life being the primary goal. When not practicing, Naoko enjoys the comforts of home, including reading murder mysteries and watching television sitcoms. She also enjoys international travel, including visiting her family in Japan, and is the proud owner of geriatric cats. She was drawn to veterinary medicine by her experience in her Ph.D. program where she became interested in the clinical aspects of cancer management.

Background and Education
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy from Augusta University in 2017, BS Animal Science from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo (2013)
Internship Training: SAGE Veterinary Centers, Canine Rehabilitation & Conditioning Group in Colorado
Certification: RockTape FMT Equine Kinesiology Taping Certification (2016), Canine Rehabilitation Certificate Program- In Progress

Dr. AJ Salch received her BS in Animal Science from California Polytechnic University (2013). While in college, she had a persistent interest in animal rehabilitation because of the unique focus on preventative care, biomechanics, and long term relationships with patients. This interest was only strengthened when her own horse sustained an injury and required rehab. Dr. Salch played an active role in her own horse’s rehabilitation while also interning at two equine rehabilitation facilities as well as with Dr. Jenny Jones and Dr. Jill Kuhl at SAGE’s Physical Rehabilitation department in Campbell. After graduation from Cal Poly, Dr. Salch pursued her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Augusta University. 

After receiving her doctorate, Dr. Salch worked as a “human” physical therapist in hospitals and outpatient clinics in Birmingham, AL where she was able to treat a variety of cases in settings ranging from outpatient orthopedics to inpatient rehabilitation. Meanwhile, she began work to obtain her Canine Rehabilitation Certification (CCRP) from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Salch transitioned to her “dream job” as a canine rehabilitation therapist at SAGE in 2019. 

When Dr. Salch is not in the hospital, she is relishing being back in the Bay Area where she can take in the beautiful weather; spending quality time with her gracefully aging Golden Retriever, Koda, and riding her home-bred Dutch Warmblood horse, Ozzy. She loves to travel and tries to visit Africa as often as possible on photographic safaris where she revels in the serenity of nature and the fascinating behavior of wild animals. 

While at SAGE, Dr. Salch particularly enjoys collaborating with different team members both in and out of the Physical Rehabilitation department in order to provide exceptional patient care. She thinks the best part of her job is being able to develop deep, long-lasting relationships with her clients while watching her patients progress and overcome challenges. Her favorite moments are celebrating her patients’ “Independence Day!” when they graduate from rehab. 

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
Internship Training: VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists; Veterinary Specialty Center (Buffalo Grove, IL)
Residency Training: Veterinary Specialty Center

Dr. Alice Bugman started her career as a web developer after graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford University. Even though she treated her sick aquarium fish growing up in Hawaii, she did not realize she wanted to be a veterinarian until she was an adult and adopted a cat. She went back to school part-time at Hunter College in New York for a post-baccalaureate program, studying Biological Sciences and Chemistry.

A few years later, with her IT career in the rear-view mirror, Dr. Bugman headed to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, where she earned her DVM. She completed a yearlong rotating internship in San Francisco followed by a one-year surgical internship and three-year surgical residency at Veterinary Specialty Center in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

While experienced in all areas of surgery, Dr. Bugman has a particular interest in orthopedics and fracture repair, urinary tract surgery, wound management and reconstruction, and laparoscopy. She enjoys the hands-on nature of surgery and watching her patients improve. She also loves working on a team to make her patients’ lives and the lives of their owners better.

In her free time, she enjoys movies and theater, hiking, traveling, cooking, and trying new restaurants.

Dr. Bugman has one little brown dog named Bogie.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: University of Georgia
Internship Training: Texas A&M University
Residency Training: University of Georgia
Certification: Diplomate ACVS (2001)

Dr. Leigh Glerum is a graduate of Duke University where she earned a BS in Biology. She received her DVM from the University of Georgia (1996). She completed an internship at Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and then returned to the University of Georgia to complete her surgical residency. While at Georgia, she delivered, via C-section, UGA VI, the University’s beloved bulldog mascot. Dr. Glerum enjoys both orthopedic and soft tissue procedures. Her special interests include minimally invasive soft tissue surgery (laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, cystoscopy), respiratory surgery, and urogenital surgery. She became board certified in 2001. When not practicing, she enjoys spending time in the great outdoors–hiking, backpacking, cycling, and downhill skiing. She also relishes time spent in the yoga studio and hanging out with a good book on the couch. Leigh also lends her support to the local community through various outdoor volunteer positions such as monitoring land for Peninsula Open Space Trust and maintaining property for Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District. Leigh was drawn to veterinary surgery because it allowed her to blend her appreciation for science, her love of animals, and the satisfaction that comes with being truly “hands-on” with her patients. Her love of animals extends to her own giant dog, Tinley the Great Dane.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Ross University
Internship Training: Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, Colorado; Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, Houston, Texas
Residency Training: SAGE Centers for Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Care

Dr. Colleen McCoy is a graduate of State University of New York, Delhi where she earned an Associate’s degree in Applied Veterinary Sciences. She received her DVM from Ross University’s School of Veterinary Medicine (2011). Dr. McCoy then completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital (2012), followed by an internship in small animal surgery at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (2013). Dr. McCoy joined SAGE Centers in 2013 to complete her residency in surgery and became an associate at SAGE in 2016.

Dr. McCoy particularly enjoys the challenges of orthopedic surgery and has a strong passion for arthroscopy and other minimal invasive surgeries. When not practicing, Colleen is most likely hiking with her two rescue dogs; Odin, a “coconut retriever” and Steve, a boxer. She also enjoys playing soccer, cooking, craft beer, traveling and DIY projects. Dr. McCoy was first drawn to veterinary medicine in middle school with the help of a beloved teacher, whom she worked with to care for many classroom pets. Her love of science, passion for animals, and the bond with their humans made veterinary medicine the perfect career choice.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: University of California, Davis
Internship Training: Animal Medical Center, New York
Residency Training: Tufts University
Certification: Diplomate ACVS (1993)

Dr. Sharon Ullman is a graduate of Stanford University, where she earned both a BS and MS in Biology. She received her DVM from UC Davis (1987). Following veterinary school, Dr. Ullman completed an internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, and a residency in surgery at Tufts University and the Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston. Dr. Ullman was a clinical surgery instructor at the University of Tennessee (1991) before joining SAGE in 1992. She became a board-certified surgeon in 1993.

Dr. Ullman particularly enjoys the challenges of oncologic surgery of all types, whether adrenal, cardiac or lung tumors, as well as urinary tract and laryngeal paralysis surgeries. She is also extremely experienced in orthopedics with an emphasis on TPLO and all kinds of fracture repair.

When not practicing, she is the proud mom of two teenage girls and one adorable mutt named Hank. Dr. Ullman enjoys classical music, reading, hiking, baking, and watching professional baseball, though not necessarily in that order. Dr. Ullman was drawn to veterinary medicine as an adolescent when she volunteered at a ranch in Northern California and was able to learn about a wide variety of animals, as well as spend time shadowing a local vet.

Dr. Ullman in the News
Dr. Ullman was featured in “Leading by Example: Interviews with Extraordinary Women” in Gentry magazine (January 2018). She talked about the collaborative approach SAGE takes to caring for our patients, as well as the emotional side of veterinary work. Read more in Gentry magazine.

Background and Education

Veterinary School: Ross University, St. Kitts WI

Dr. Rachel Kuester started her career as a veterinary technician in Bel Air, Maryland. She continued as a technician for more than 10 years, and actively pursued her interests in veterinary medicine, studying Biology and Functional Biology of Animals at schools in the Baltimore area. She traveled to St. Kitts, West Indies for veterinary school and earned her DVM at Ross University in 2011. She returned to Maryland and worked in General Practice for a several years before moving the Bay Area, where she has worked in small mammal medicine and surgery. Dr. Kuester enjoys working with small mammals and using low-stress handling strategies to make visits less stressful for them and for their owners.

In her free time, Dr. Kuester plays the guitar and the piano and enjoys reading and making pottery. She has two cats, Edgar and Louise, and a dog named Mabel.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Internship Training: Animal Medical Center, New York

Liza Newsom-Stewart is originally from Connecticut and attended Cornell University for undergraduate and veterinary school. She then completed a rotating internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. After completing her internship, Dr. Newsom-Stewart worked as a general practice veterinarian in New York City for six months before moving to San Francisco in February 2018. Dr. Newsom-Stewart is interested in all aspects of emergency medicine, as well as dermatology and internal medicine.
In her free time, Dr. Newsom-Stewart enjoys hiking, exercising, exploring the Bay Area, and spending time with her fiance, dog, and cat.

Background and Education
Veterinary School: Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Internship Training: VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center

Dr. Meghan Wilhelm hails from Ann Arbor, Michigan where she grew up caring for horses, dogs and wildlife. After earning her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Carleton College she ventured into politics in Washington, D.C. She quickly realized that “those weren’t the animals she was interested in,” and decided to pursue veterinary medicine. After completing her rotating internship in Sacramento, she moved to the Bay Area and now calls San Francisco home. Since 2010 she has worked in small animal practices in Marin and San Francisco. Her areas of interest include pain management, behavior, internal medicine and emergency medicine.

When she’s not working she is outside, preferably in the mountains misidentifying plants and birds, hiking, snowboarding, SCUBA diving, travelling, or seeking out a new adventure with her husband, Christian, and their Labrador mix, Dylan.