Speaker Bios
Dr. Rachel Allbaugh is a veterinary ophthalmologist at Iowa State University, where she also received both her BS and DVM degrees. After graduation, she completed a private practice internship in North Carolina and then a veterinary ophthalmology residency and master’s degree at Kansas State University. She was on faculty at Kansas State University until 2011, then returned home to Iowa and is now a full professor in ISU’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and the Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed Professor in Veterinary Medicine. Rachel’s passion for veterinary ophthalmology began with her childhood cat’s nearly blinding eye disease. Since that time, she has been devoted to the field, enjoying clinical practice, teaching, and research. She is passionate about sharing knowledge and helping advance veterinary medicine through educational efforts and scholarly pursuits over 80 peer reviewed publications and over 250 presentations. Rachel also helps to serve the profession through active participation and leadership roles in numerous organizations with her varied professional efforts earning her numerous awards. In her free time, Rachel loves spending time with her family and friends, riding her horses, hiking with her dogs, enjoying water sports, and any other outdoor activity.
Dr. Austin Ashbacher, DVM, grew up on a small dairy farm just south of Calmar, Iowa. From an early age, he greatly enjoyed working with the cows, and knew that he wanted to spend his life working with them. Following high school, he attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he obtained a BA in Biology. From there, he headed to Ames, where he earned his DVM from Iowa State University in 2020. While at Iowa State, Dr. Ashbacher met his soon-to-be wife, Erica. Dr. Ashbacher began his career at a mixed animal practice in northwest Iowa but soon moved to southeast Iowa. He began work at another mixed animal practice, and the couple moved on to Erica’s family’s heritage farm, where they live in the 108 year old farm house built by Erica’s great-great grandfather. The couple has 2 boys, ages 2 ½ and 9 months, and are active in the family farm. In late 2024, Dr. Ashbacher started a solo large animal ambulatory practice, Ashbacher Veterinary Services. He provides general health, herd health consulting, emergency, and regulatory services, primarily to cattle producers in southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri.
Dr. Theresa Beachler is a Theriogenologist at Iowa State University specializing in horses and small animals. Dr. Beachler received her DVM and PhD from North Carolina State University. She additionally performed advanced training in a comparative Theriogenology residency at North Carolina State University and is board certified by the American College of Theriogenologists (ACT). Dr. Beachler has a special interest in routine and advanced reproductive techniques in horses as well as care of the pregnant mare.
Karlene Belyea is an accomplished speaker and leader with a deep passion for improving communication, culture, and well-being in the workplace. She is highly successful in both association management and corporate endeavors. As a certified Everything DiSC® Trainer, she delivers engaging and entertaining presentations on behavioral styles, body language, generational differences, leadership, influence, and creating positive and productive work cultures. Her expertise spans wellness, work/life integration, brain training, and strategies to enhance team building, customer service, and conflict resolution. Karlene served as the Vice President of Wellness for Mission Veterinary Partners for 6 years and brings over 30 years of experience in management and team development. Before her role at Mission Veterinary Partners, she served as the CEO of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association for 15 years. She holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and a BA in Telecommunications from Michigan State University. Karlene is a sought-after speaker, engaging diverse groups nationwide, and also enjoys performing as a lead singer and keyboardist in a band.
Dr. Michelle Buckley completed her DVM at Western University of Health Sciences in 2017 followed by 4 years of mixed practice in southern California. She moved to Iowa to complete a PhD in microbiology and residency in clinical pharmacology with Dr. Pat Gorden and received her degree in 2025. She is currently the director of Cornell's Quality Milk Production Services Western Laboratory based in Warsaw, NY.
Dr. Sara Chaplin is in her second year of the Masters program through the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine. Her background includes several years in dairy production private practice in California, and several years in mixed large animal practice in a rural setting in the Rocky Mountain West. Here in Iowa she is enjoying keeping students on their toes, and her topic of research, Benchmark establishment in Iowa cow-calf herds.
Dr. Aubrey Cordray is the owner of Humboldt Veterinary Clinic, a mixed-animal practice in Humboldt, Iowa, and currently serves as President of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association. A 2014 graduate of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she is passionate about strengthening rural veterinary practice through collaboration, workforce development, and mentorship.
Dr. Sarah Woods Cuneo grew up on a small ranch in Oregon where her family raised beef cattle and Boer goats as well as sheep, horses, llamas, chickens and the occasional pig. She worked for five years as an associate veterinarian in a mixed animal private practice in Maricopa, AZ., before completing a Large Internal Medicine (livestock) residency at the University of California-Davis. Prior to coming to Iowa State, Dr. Woods was a staff veterinarian at the University of California-Davis Livestock Medicine and Surgery Service. She has been a clinical assistant professor at ISU in the Food Animal Medicine and Surgery Service since May 2025. As a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Large Animal), she has interest areas in neonatal intensive care, fluid therapy, and surgery. She loves solving complex problems and helping to further the knowledge of livestock internal medicine.
Dr. Grant Dewell received a DVM, Masters in Agricultural Economics, and PhD in Epidemiology from Colorado State University. He practiced in central South Dakota, was a Clinical Instructor at Great Plains Veterinary Education Center and since 2008 has been the Beef Cattle Extension Veterinarian at Iowa State University. Dr. Dewell’s research interests are health management of cattle, animal welfare and economic considerations for beef production operations.
Josh Ervasti, CFP®, CEPA®, is a financial planner and exit planning advisor who helps medical professionals align their business and career decisions with their personal values, long-term goals, and financial plans. With 25 years of experience in financial services — including nearly a decade working closely with veterinarians and practice owners — Josh specializes in guiding doctors through the personal and financial side of ownership, transition planning, and life beyond the clinic. He is the creator of the S.E.C.U.R.E. OWNER™ framework, which integrates personal identity, purpose, financial clarity, and strategic decision making to support professionals at every stage of the ownership journey. Josh also supports veterinary student professional development through educational programming delivered in partnership with the AVMA Trust at multiple veterinary schools, where he teaches financial wellness, career planning, and personal readiness. He lives in West Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife, Chrissy, their sons John and James, and their mini Aussiedoodle rescues, Jack and Java. Outside of work, he enjoys blacksmithing, outdoor adventures, staying active with F3 Des Moines, and off road obstacle races.
Dr. Richard Ford is a graduate of The Ohio State University. Dr. Ford practiced small animal and equine medicine prior to completing the internal medicine residency at Michigan State University. Subsequently, he taught internal medicine at Purdue University for 4 years after which he joined the medicine faculty at North Carolina State University. Dr. Ford was the Lead Editor of the 2017 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines and has served as a co-author on the AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines. He currently coordinates the rabies awareness initiative in the US and the rabiesaware.org website, a resource for veterinarians on State laws and regulations governing rabies and rabies vaccination. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Ford spent 28 years with the US Air Force as a Biomedical Scientist. He retired from the USAF Reserve as a Brigadier General, where he was assigned to the Office of the Air Force Surgeon General at the Pentagon.
Lisa Foster is a veterinary technician with over 19 years of academic experience. She holds a BS in animal ecology and an AAS in veterinary technology. After over 10 years working in emergency and critical care and earning her VTS in Emergency and Critical Care, she transitioned to oncology, providing anesthesia support for radiation therapy patients and delivering chemotherapy. She is now applying for her VTS in Oncology.
Dr. Callie Garoutte is a dedicated and compassionate veterinarian with a strong focus on large animal care. With 8 years of experience in the field, Dr. Garoutte has extensive knowledge in treating cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, and other livestock. After earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from ISU, Dr. Garoutte, worked in the Large & Small Animal clinic in Stuart, IA and working for Heinz rescue as their surgeon/ general practitioner, equipping them with a diverse skill set to handle a wide range of medical and surgical cases.
Dr. Amy Grimm DVM, is a burnout and well-being coach, speaker, and veterinarian who helps high-achieving professionals rethink how they work, lead, and succeed so they can achieve sustainable success without sacrificing their well-being. A former medical director who experienced burnout firsthand, she brings both lived experience and clinical insight to her work with professionals navigating high-pressure careers. Dr. Grimm is the founder of Burnout-Free Me, a coaching platform dedicated to helping high performers move out of chronic stress and into a more sustainable, fulfilling way of living and working. Through its veterinary branch, Daring DVM, she supports veterinarians in addressing burnout, compassion fatigue, and the unique demands of modern veterinary medicine. Dr. Grimm has delivered presentations for veterinary teams, conferences, and continuing education programs on burnout, stress physiology, compassion fatigue, and professional resilience. She is recognized for her ability to translate neuroscience and human behavior into practical, immediately applicable tools that create real change in both performance and well-being. Her work integrates evidence-based insights with mindfulness, somatic practices, and mindset shifts, addressing not just how professionals think but also how their nervous systems function under pressure. This dual lens allows her to bridge the gap between high performance and sustainable well-being in a way that resonates deeply with veterinary professionals. She is also the host of the Burnout-Free Me Podcast and Substack, where she shares tools and conversations to help high-achieving professionals create more balance, energy, and fulfillment in their lives. Dr. Grimm’s work is grounded in the belief that success should not come at the expense of well-being. She is committed to helping veterinary professionals build careers that are both impactful and sustainable.
Dan Grooms, DVM, PhD, became the Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University on October 1, 2018. At Iowa State Grooms oversees the College of Veterinary Medicine, its five academic departments, the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Prior to coming to Iowa State, Grooms was a professor, extension veterinarian, administrator and researcher at Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine since 1997. Grooms has also worked as a staff veterinarian for the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and as a clinical veterinary associate at a Ohio mixed animal veterinary practice. An expert in bovine infectious diseases, Grooms has been an active researcher in his academic career, receiving multiple grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, higher education institutions and private companies. Grooms holds board certification from the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists with a specialty in veterinary virology. He is a former president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and has served on the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture's Committee on Animal Health. Grooms earned a bachelor's degree in animal science from Cornell University and two degrees from The Ohio State University - a veterinary medicine (DVM) degree and a Ph.D. in veterinary preventive medicine.
Dr. Bailey Goos is a 2014 graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Goos spent 2 years in a private mixed animal practice in Eastern Iowa before joining the USDA. She spent 3 years with the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) before joining APHIS Veterinary Services as a Veterinary Medical Officer in April of 2019. She currently lives in Tama, Iowa with her partner, daughter, two bonus kids, two dogs (, two cats, and 25 chickens. She enjoys traveling, gardening, baking and DIY projects.
Dr. Tom Hansen practices production animal medicine at Veterinary Medical Center in Williamsburg, IA. He is a 2011 graduate of the Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed the Executive Veterinary Program in 2022 and currently serves as the Chair of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association’s Bovine Committee.
Dr. Andrew Hennenfent, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, is the State Public Health Veterinarian for Iowa, overseeing zoonotic disease prevention and response. Dr. Hennenfent completed an applied epidemiology fellowship in infectious disease at the District of Columbia Department of Health, then oversaw the city’s emerging and zoonotic disease program and served as the city’s public health veterinarian. After joining the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Hennenfent oversaw the Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Program, leading planning and response efforts for antimicrobial stewardship efforts and infection prevention technical assistance provided to Iowa healthcare personnel to improve infection control practices in all settings. Prior to joining Iowa HHS Dr. Hennenfent worked for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS).
Dr. Andrea Holmes is a 2014 graduate of Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Holmes worked at a mixed animal practice for three years before joining USDA. She then worked for FSIS for three and a half years before joining APHIS Veterinary Services as a Veterinary Medical Officer in October 2020. She lives in Marcus, Iowa with her husband Tim and their 3 sons. She and her husband enjoy going to as many Cyclone football and basketball games as possible.
Dr. Jennifer Hopkins is the Director of Veterinary Toxicology Training at the ASPCA Poison Control hotline. She is boarded in toxicology and has worked as a consulting veterinarian on the hotline for 5 years and in training new and existing veterinarians and support staff in toxicological case management for the past 2 years. In her previous veterinary life, she worked as a veterinary supervisor for food safety and animal welfare inspections for the State of Iowa Department of Agriculture, and also in general practice in Chicago, IL in companion animal medicine. She has a passion for working with poisoned patients and a love of emergency medicine and continuing education in the world of toxicology.
Dr. Jack Johnson’s family has been raising registered Hereford cattle since 1918. He currently sells breeding stock all over Northwest Iowa and Southern Minnesota. He was the large animal veterinarian in a mixed practice for 25 years. Since 1998 he has been the beef specialist for Spencer Ag Center at Spencer Iowa. Currently he does consulting for their feedlot and cow/calf clients.
Dr. Locke A. Karriker DVM, MS, DACVPM serves as a Morrill Professor and Chair of the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine and Executive Director of the Iowa State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. He is also the founder and director of the Swine Medicine Education Center, a program recognized for advancing innovative, evidence-based training in food animal medicine. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Karriker earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Science degrees from Mississippi State University. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and completed the Executive Veterinary Program in Swine Health Management at the University of Illinois. His professional career began in commercial swine production medicine before joining the faculty at Iowa State University in 2003. His scholarly work focuses on swine health, animal welfare, antimicrobial stewardship, biosecurity, pain management, lameness detection, disease epidemiology, and veterinary telemedicine. He has authored or co-authored more than 125 peer-reviewed scientific publications, co-edited multiple editions of Diseases of Swine, and secured more than $15 million in competitive research funding.
Dr. Mike McClenahan, known as "The Bowtie Vet Guy," has spent nearly three decades proving that exceptional veterinary medicine and entertainment aren't just compatible—they're powerful partners. After earning his DVM from Iowa State University, he built a clinical career while simultaneously developing expertise in therapeutic communication through the Institute for Healthcare Communications. Dr. Mike didn't stop at traditional continuing education. He's performed stand-up comedy at legendary venues including The Comedy Store, Ice House, and Flappers, and served as opening act for Zane Lamprey's national tour. He created, wrote, and directed "The Nevermore Chronicles" web series and worked as consulting producer on the "Tender Looks" comedy special (Amazon Prime). As co-host of "The Vets Unleashed" podcast and creator of The Bowtie Vet Guy brand (40K YouTube subscribers), Dr. Mike reaches pet parents and veterinary professionals with content that educates while it entertains. His RACE-approved presentations on humor and storytelling in veterinary medicine offer practical, research-backed strategies delivered with the timing and authenticity of a professional comedian.
Lori Moran, VTS - Born and raised in Ames, completed all my schooling here through my undergraduate BS degree in Animal Science. I started working for ISU LVMC in 1993 as a large animal and equine surgery and medicine technician. In 2004, I transferred to the Cardiology department which spiked my interest in getting my tech degree so I could become board certified as a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Cardiology, which I achieved in 2017.
Dr. Allison Vander Plaats received her DVM from Cornell University & joined a 6 doctor mostly dairy practice in Central California upon graduation. She practiced dairy medicine with a touch of small ruminants for a few years before transitioning to a position as staff vet & professor at an agriculture-based community college, where she got much more experience managing a flock of blackface sheep, Shorthorn cattle, & swine. She joined ISU Vet Field Services as a postdoc in 2023 & is working towards a PhD & ABVP Food Animal residency. Dr. Vander Plaats joined faculty at ISU Vet Field Services in May 2026.
Dr. Jason B. Pieper, DVM, MS, DACVD®, Associate Professor for Dermatology, Iowa State University. Dr. Jason Pieper is a board certified veterinary dermatologist currently working at Iowa State University as a tenured Associate Professor for Dermatology at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he graduated veterinary school in 2009. He completed a dermatology residency at the University of Illinois and became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology while also completing his master’s degree. His areas of interest in veterinary dermatology include atopic dermatitis, otitis, antimicrobial resistance and CO2 laser.
Dr. Scott Radke is a 2016 graduate of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine where he also completed his MS in toxicology in 2018. He is a board certified veterinary toxicologist and serves as a clinical associate professor in the veterinary diagnostic laboratory within the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine at the ISU CVM.
Dr. Macarena Sanz received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Universidad Nacional de la Plata in Argentina. She went on to complete a Master of Science, a large animal rotating internship, and a residency in Large Animal Internal Medicine at Washington State University. Dr. Sanz also earned a PhD in Equine Immunology from the Gluck Equine Research Center in Kentucky. She has served as a lecturer, Assistant Professor, and Associate Professor in Equine Medicine at both the University of Pretoria in South Africa and Washington State University and is currently an Associate Professor of Equine Medicine at Iowa State University.
Chris Siepker, DVM, DACVP Diagnostic pathologist – Clinical Associated Professor (2019- current) Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Education: Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine - Kansas State University (2016) Anatomic Pathology Residency - University of Georgia (2019) Diagnostics interests: Food animal pathology, respiratory disease in pigs and cattle, infectious diseases, diagnostic pathology.
Dr. Meredith ‘t Hoen graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. She then completed a Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care internship at Washington State University, followed by an Emergency and Critical Care residency at the University of Missouri. After becoming a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2011, Meredith ran the ECC service at a private specialty practice in Missouri for several years and then joined the ECC team at the Utrecht University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in the Netherlands. Since 2021 Meredith has been working at Iowa State University as a clinical associate professor where she also serves as the small animal internship program director and Chief Medical Officer. She loves to share her passion for ECC by teaching and mentoring students, young vets and technicians.
Jessica Ward, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) serves as Associate Dean for Academic Programs at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In this role, she oversees student programs including admissions, curriculum, clinical education, and career development, with a particular focus on strengthening the veterinary workforce and supporting student success. Dr. Ward grew up in southeast Idaho and completed her veterinary degree and residency at North Carolina State University. She joined Iowa State in 2015 and has built her academic career in Iowa, maintaining professional and research interests in both cardiology and veterinary education.
Stacie Madson-Whittaker graduated from Ridgewater College with an Associate’s of Applied Sciences degree in Veterinary Technology and St Petersburg College with a Bachelor’s of Applied Sciences degree in Clinical Veterinary Technology. This was followed by a Veterinary Technician Specialty in Anesthesia and Analgesia. Stacie is currently employed within the Surgery, Anesthesia and Community Outreach program and Iowa State University. Stacie enjoys working with veterinary students aiding in their understanding of anything anesthesia related. When not working she enjoys spending time with her horse “Squeeze”, dog “Curly” and glamping with her husband.
Dr. Jessica Young is a 2004 graduate of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Young spent 10 years as an ambulatory equine veterinarian in Iowa before coming to work for the USDA. She spent one year with FSIS, and then joined APHIS Veterinary Services as a Veterinary Medical Officer in September2015. She currently lives in Ogden, Iowa with her husband Scott and their two sons, Colton (18 years) and Chase (15 years). Both of her children extensively compete in youth rodeo, and that keeps them busy as a family most of the year! Otherwise, together they enjoy horseback riding, fishing, camping, and taking care of their small hobby farm.