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Meet Our Doctors & Staff...

Dr. Jerry Hinn

Dr. Jerry Hinn is a Virginia native, and has been in veterinary practice in Northern Virginia for over thirty-five years. He received his Bachelors degree from Virginia Tech and his Veterinary degree from the University of Georgia. His special interests include surgery, veterinary dentistry, birds and exotic pet care. In addition to local and national veterinary associations including the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine, he also holds membership in the Critical Care Society. Dr. Hinn and his wife, Georgia, have two adult children and live in Mount Vernon with their cat, Purry. (Dr. Hinn with Rachel, the hospital cat).

Dr. Karen Davis

Originally from the Washington, D.C., Maryland suburbs, Dr. Karen Davis graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Biology from the University of Maryland. She then graduated from the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981. Her special interests include surgery and anesthesia. Dr. Davis lives in Mount Vernon with her husband, Rick, two teenage children, two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, two cats and a parakeet. (Dr. Davis with Kinsey).

Dr. Lauren Santangelo

Dr. Lauren Santangelo is a New Jersey native. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester , and graduated from the Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine with the class of 2000. She enjoys all aspects of general practice, but has a special interest in ultrasonography and endoscopy. Dr. Santangelo and her husband have two children and a Shepherd/Labrador Retriever Mix named Franklin . (Pictured: Dr. Santangelo with Franklin).

Dr. Emmanuelle Oustry, DVM

Originally from Paris , France , Dr. Emmanuelle Oustry graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Biology. She then graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. After having worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 5 years she enjoys being back in private practice. When she is not working, Dr. Oustry spends most of her time gardening, reading, working out and playing with her two cats and German Shepard Dog. (Pictured: Dr. Oustry with Maussane).

Dr. Elizabeth Embree, DVM

Dr. Elizabeth Embree grew up in beautiful Springfield, VA. After graduating from Virginia Tech with an Honors Baccalaureatte in Biology and minors in History and Chemistry, she attended and graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. While in veterinary school, she assisted with an oral-rabies vaccine pilot program in Fairfax County . Her interests include exotics and surgery. Elizabeth lives in Alexandria with her husband, Mike, and a menagerie of pets. (Pictured: Dr. Embree with Elmo).

Cheryl Porter, Licensed Veterinary Technician

A graduate of East Texas State University and Northern Virginia Community College Veterinary Technician Program, Cheryl began working at Fort Hunt Animal Hospital in 1990. Her professional interests include avian medicine, anesthesia and dentistry. Personal interests include enjoying and caring for her numerous dogs, cats, birds, goats and fish. In her free time, Cheryl enjoys gardening, kayaking, camping and other outdoor activities. (Pictured: Cheryl with Elvis, the hospital Macaw).

Susan Hmara, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Susan Hmara graduated from Radford University in 1994 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She then went on to Northern Virginia 's Veterinary Technician program and graduated as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in 1998. She has worked for Dr. Hinn for over 15 years and loves her job. Her special interests include dentistry, anesthesia and critical care. She lives in Springfield with her husband, young son, Connor, and two Labrador Retrievers, Frankie and Lola, who are named after characters in a Jimmy Buffet song.

Cathleen Luce, Licensed Veterinary Technician

A native of the Philadelphia area, Cathleen earned her degree in Veterinary Technology in 1988 from Harcum College in Bryn Mawr , Pennsylvania . She spent the early part of her career at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in the section of Anesthesia, where she developed a love for anesthesia and teaching.  Cathleen resides in Lorton , VA , with her husband, daughter, and several pets. (Pictured: Cathleen with Schooner)

Sherry Zirkel, Licensed Veterinary Technician

 A California native, Sherry grew up in beautiful Monterey.  She received her Associates Degree in Animal Health Technology from Hartnell College in Salinas and joined our staff in the Fall of '07.  Recently, Sherry passed the Veterinary Technician national exam making her our newest Licensed Veterinary Tech.  She enjoys cooking, particularly sushi, and makes a wicked awesome artichoke dip.  She lives in Alexandria with her fiancee and cat, and she is planning a Spring '09 wedding.  (Pictured:  Sherry and her cat, Winston Montgomery.) 

Connie Bertron, Morning Manager

A Virginia native, Connie has been working for Dr. Hinn since 1984. She currently lives in Alexandria with her daughter, two cats, Mariel and Midnight , and four Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Jerry, Bonnie, Riker and Evan. In her spare time, Connie and her daughter, Kate, show and breed award winning Cavaliers and currently own two AKC Champions and one AKC/CKCSC, USA Champion. Their fourth dog known lovingly as “The Bean” has never won a title, but nevertheless, holds a special place in Connie and Kate’s hearts as she was their first Cavalier. (Pictured: AKC/CKCSC, USA Champion "Harana Great Balls of Fire (Jerry).)

Roxan Butler, Evening Manager

Roxan has been working at Fort Hunt for 17 years. We call her the "cat whisperer" because of the special calming influence she has on our more "excitable" feline patients. She loves cats, Pit-bulls and Min Pins. Additional interests include karate and gourmet foods. Roxan lives in Alexandria with her family and pets. (Pictured: Baby Hoppi).

Jessie Beard, Veterinary Assistant

Jessie Beard has worked at Fort Hunt for almost 7 years. She is currently attending Northern Virginia Community College where she is working on her Associates Degree in Applied Science. Her interests include dentistry, client education and “pocket pets” – especially those that are cute, small and fuzzy. Jessie lives in Alexandria with her fiancee, a Beagle mix named Queen Victoria , a grey cat named Princess Mousikens and a Teddy Bear hamster named Digger the Speed Racer. (Pictured: Jessie with Vicki).

Laura Emmons, Veterinary Assistant

Laura has been working at Fort Hunt Animal Hospital since 2003 and has also just recently begun to work at our sister hospital, Hayfield Animal Hospital. She is currently taking classes at Northern Virginia Community College and is majoring in Liberal Arts with a concentration in journalism. Her interests include critical care and client education. Outside of work she enjoys reading, writing, and fashion. Laura lives with her family, two Chihuahuas named Dolce and Louie, and her cat Simon. (Pictured: Louie and Dolce).

Melissa Rubesch, Veterinary Assistant

A native of West Virginia , Missy has been working at Fort Hunt for 5 years. She began as morning kennel assistant but through hard work and her diligence to learn, she has become a valued member of the Veterinary Assistant team. Missy lives in Alexandria with her family, a dog named Hunny and three cats, Junior, Rufus and Socrates, the “giant” cat. (Pictured: Missy's son Ronny and Hunny). 

Pam Quinones, Veterinary Assistant

Pam graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northern Virginia Community College with an Associates Degree in Emergency Medical Technology.  After working for several years as a paramedic in Northern Virginia, she joined our staff in the Summer of '07, where she found our patients to be cuter and lighter than their human counterparts.  She enjoys Coen Brothers' films and maintains an extensive but useless database of movie lines and scenes in her head.  She lives with her husband and two cats in Alexandria.  (Pictured:  her boyfriend Chester, our hospital cat.)

Darby Peterson, Veterinary Assistant

Originally from Fairfax, Darby joined Fort Hunt in the Summer of '07.  She is currently a student at Georgetown University and will be heading off to Boston in the Fall to start her veterinary studies at Tufts University.  Darby has been to exotic locales such as Costa Rica, Peru, and Madagascar studying primate behavior.  She has also spent time, blood, and flesh studying the behaviors of macaws in captivity (our two carnivorous hospital parrots).  (Pictured:  Darby with Sarge, one of our hospital macaws.)