What key skills or background experience to communicate to the rDVM community?

I have been practicing emergency medicine since graduating from veterinary school in 2001, with twenty of those years being in Birmingham. I have interacted with almost every practicing veterinarian in our area in some way and taken care of patients from every hospital in our area.

What is most important for RDVMs to know about prior to transferring a patient to you?

It is important to provide as much history as possible, what diagnostics have been performed and the outcomes, and particularly what treatments have been performed and when. Including dosages of medications and times administered, listing all long-term medications, and relaying your concerns and goals is also helpful.

Do you have any specific preferences about how you receive transfers from rDVMs.

Phone conversations are welcomed and encouraged. I am always willing to discuss a case and many times it is more beneficial to the client, the primary veterinarian, and to us to talk before a transfer for many reasons. I like to hear your perspective on a case, which is sometimes easier to translate through conversation than when written. It can also help to guide a client's and referring veterinarian's expectations regarding care and specialist involvement, as well as relay information about anticipated costs.

Do you have any clinical interests or medical topics that you would like to write about?

Nothing specific; I enjoy every aspect of emergency medicine and am always looking for ways to improve my skills in both medicine and surgery on a continual basis.

What are your unique abilities or passions?

I care deeply for my patients and their comfort both physically and mentally while in my care. This applies to any patient I care for, whether is it for 10 minutes or 10 days. Treating end of life with gentleness and ease is very important to me.

How is your service impactful to your rDVMs, their clients and patients?

My goal is to treat each person and patient with respect, compassion, and empathy. I try to remain open to both the clients' and the patients' needs, while advocating for the best possible outcome for each unique scenario. I will always be honest and truthful, even when it is hard.

Discuss your personal background and fun facts.

I am a native Alabamian from Pell City, AL, and a proud graduate of Birmingham-Southern College (may she rest in peace) and Tuskegee University. I have three daughters and two stepsons, and am married to my high school sweetheart, whom I met in first grade. I am a Disney adult, with a DVC membership and annual pass, and enjoy participating in RunDisney events (notice I said participate and not run). I love to travel, and am always on the lookout for ways to check destinations off my long bucket list. I am consistently at least one book behind in my book club, and I like to embarrass my many pets by dressing them up for every holiday. I am only 4' 10" tall and can't reach anything on the top shelf. I am a lifelong United Methodist and believe that all dogs (and every other animal) go to Heaven.