Dr. Christine Nagel is a 2011 graduate of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. As an “air force brat” she spent her childhood moving around the United States, but then completed her undergraduate education at Northern Illinois University while on a tennis scholarship. After completing a small animal rotating internship at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, she returned to the midwest in 2012. She has been working at Carter Pet Hospital since 2014.
She lives in Ellisville, Missouri with her furry family – a dog, Isis, and two cats, Anouk and Napoleon. In her free time, she can be found participating in triathlons and training for an Ironman. Additionally, she enjoys music production, good food and spending time with friends and family.
Christine Nagel, DVM
President
Banfield Pet Hospital
Kristen Doss was originally from south St. Louis, but grew up near Denver, CO. She moved back to St. Louis to attend Saint Louis University where she obtained a BA in biology. She then went on to attend veterinary school at the University of Missouri and obtained her DVM in 2013. She has been working at Banfield Pet Hospital for the past four years. She enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with her pit bull and shepherd mix.
Kristen Doss, DVM
Vice President
Compassionate In-Home Euthanasia
Dr. Laura Kee is a native of St. Louis. She completed her BSBA-Accounting at the University of Missouri in St. Louis and was awarded her CPA designation by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 2000. She then returned to the University of Missouri to pursue her veterinary undergraduate studies and received her DVM from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbia in 2007. After graduating, she worked at a busy referral and emergency practice in Webster Groves for six years. She then stayed home for two years to care for her daughter. In 2015, she started Compassionate In-Home Euthanasia, a private in-home euthanasia service for companion animals. In her free time, Dr. Kee enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying new restaurants, reading various books, and planning adventures with her 4 year-old.
Laura Kee, CPA, DVM
Treasurer
Relief Veterinarian
Kris Clements received her BS in Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1998 and her DVM from the University of Illinois in 2001. She worked with farm animals before her husband was transferred to St. Louis several years ago, and now she practices as a relief vet at several small animal clinics. She and her husband share their home with a calico cat and their two young sons.
Kris Clements, DVM
Membership Chair
Bentley Animal Hospital
Dr. Jessi Farris is a small animal veterinarian practicing in Fenton. She graduated from the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. In her clinical years, Jessi served as the National President of the Veterinary Management Business Association, a student led organization that promotes business education among veterinary students. Her interests include nutrition, ophthalmology, practice management, and leadership development. Dr. Farris lives in St.Louis Hills with her husband and cat. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and brainstorming new ways to improve the veterinary profession.
Jessi K. Farris, DVM
MVMA Delegate
Dr. Nicholas R. Pérez graduated high school from Parkway West in 2003, and then continued his education at Saint Louis University where he received a B. A. in Biology in 2003. He then attended University of Missouri–Columbia; College of Veterinary Medicine (Class of 2013). During his time at Mizzou he participated with Accelerated Genetics which allowed him to become certified in Artificial Insemination, and received a Clinical Small Animal Dentistry Certification from University of Illinois; College of Veterinary Medicine. Additionally, during his time at the University of Missouri, Dr. Perez was awarded the Virginia L. Busch Scholarship for outstanding leadership, character, and integrity as well as the Senior Student Radiology Award for excellence in Veterinary Clinical Radiology.
Following graduation Dr. Pérez worked in Saint Louis as companion animal private practice veterinarian. During this time he was also involved in industry as a local speaker, as well as a consultant in the Saint Louis Biotechnology industry on topics pertaining to animal health. Additionally, he is a community advisory board member for WAMCO (Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, Auburn University, University of Missouri, Columbia, Consortium for One Health), which is a collaborative partnership among three preeminent research institutions. The center’s mission is based on the emerging concept of “One Health,” focusing on the health linkages among humans, animals, and their shared environments with a focus on the area of comparative clinical oncology in humans and companion canines. Currently, Dr. Pérez works as a Professional Services Veterinarian for Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, where he was able to match many of his skills and passions into his daily work life.
Dr. Perez has special interests in Biotechnology, Pharmacology, Zoonotic Disease, Surgery, Dermatology, Dentistry, Radiology, Internal Medicine, and Practice Management.
Dr. Perez and his wife Julie reside in Chesterfield Missouri with their beautiful daughter and son Olivia Marie and Nicholas Raúl, and their two Chocolate Labradors.
Nicholas R. Pérez, DVM
Director 2018
Dr. Brandon Thornberry, DVM
Secretary
Gateway Veterinary Surgery
Dr. Jennifer (Demko) Wardlaw is a St. Louis native whose family has lived in St. Louis for over six generations. Dr. Wardlaw completed her veterinary degree at Mizzou before going on to Mississippi State for her specialization internship, Master’s and small animal surgical residency. Dr. Wardlaw became Board Certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2009. Additionally she worked at Mississippi State University, College of Veterinary Medicine for almost ten years and remains adjunct faculty. Dr. Wardlaw moved back home to St. Louis in 2013 and started her own concierge surgical practice, Gateway Veterinary Surgery. She is living in Des Peres with her husband, two small children, and their bullmastiff.
Jennifer Wardlaw, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS-SA
Program Chair
Dr. Kelvin Urday attended the University of Missouri – Columbia College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources where he studied Animal Sciences. He was then given early admittance to the University of Missouri – Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine. During his time in veterinary school, Dr. Urday received the Virginia Busch Student Leadership Award, Gerald L. Johnson Student Leadership Award, Western Veterinary Conference Scholarship, Anna E. Worth AAHA Student Leadership Award, and the Kenneth Niemeyer Student Leadership Award. He was active in the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, served as Vice President of the Student Chapter of the AVMA, and the President of the Student Chapter of AAHA. In 2011, he graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Urday’s areas of professional interest include dermatology and internal medicine. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Greater St. Louis Veterinary Medical Association, Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association. His personal interests include cycling, traveling, and participating in local theatre.
Kelvin Urday, DVM
Social Chair
Marcy Hammerle, DVM
Director 2019