Dr. Cynthia MacKenzie is trust veterinarian for the AVMA Trust, working with veterinarians and veterinary students to raise awareness of insurance offerings and risk-management solutions in addition to reviewing veterinary malpractice claims. Prior to joining the Trust in 2017, Dr. MacKenzie held several industry positions and also worked in private equine practice in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and Lexington, Ky. She earned her veterinary degree from Texas A&M University in 1998 and has served the AAEP as former chair of the Welfare and Public Policy Advisory Council.

Dr. Blea is equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board and a former partner in a five-veterinarian Thoroughbred practice in Southern California. Dr. Blea received his veterinary degree from Colorado State University. He served as AAEP President in 2014 and is a member and former chair of the Racing Committee. Dr. Blea also serves on the HISA Anti-Doping and Medication Control Standing Committee; the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance; and the California Retirement Management Account, which funds the rehabilitation, retraining or retirement of Thoroughbred racehorses.

Dr. Baus is founding owner of Grand Prix Equine in Bridgewater, Conn. After receiving his veterinary degree from Kansas State University, Dr. Baus entered practice in Fairfield, Conn. He co-founded Fairfield Equine Associates in Newtown, Conn., in 1989 and served as president and managing partner of the practice from 1996 until starting Grand Prix Equine in 2009. Dr. Baus served on the AAEP’s board of directors from 2014–2016, and he chaired the Performance Horse Committee from 2018–2021. He currently serves on the Veterinary Committee for the United States Equestrian Federation.

Dr. Bidwell is co-founder of East West Equine Sports Medicine in Lexington, Ky., and Thermal, Calif. She also consults in anesthesia for equine practices. Prior to starting her current practice in 2015, Dr. Bidwell was head of anesthesia at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Lexington Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine. She also served on the veterinary faculty at Ross University and Michigan State University. Dr. Bidwell received her veterinary degree from Michigan State University and is board certified in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia. She currently serves on the AAEP’s Performance Horse Committee.

Michael Casey is a partner in Casey, Bailey & Maines, PLLC, in Lexington, Ky., a specialty firm with 90% of the practice comprised of insurance defense litigation and 10% dedicated to protecting creditors’ rights and assets. Casey received his law degree from the University of Louisville in 1995 and is admitted to practice in all courts in Kentucky and Indiana. He has defended hundreds of cases with trial experience in veterinary malpractice, professional malpractice, products liability and more.

Dr. DeNotta is a clinical assistant professor and equine veterinary extension specialist at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition, she chairs the AAEP’s Infectious Disease Committee and is co-author of the association's Equine Coronavirus Guidelines and Borrelia burgdorferi Infection and Lyme Disease Guidelines. Dr. DeNotta achieved diplomate status from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2013 and her clinical interests include equine infectious disease and clinical neurology.

Dr. Pelzel-McCluskey is the national equine epidemiologist for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services in Fort Collins, Colo., where she oversees the federal response to reportable equine disease outbreaks nationwide. Dr. Pelzel-McCluskey has been an epidemiologist with state and federal animal health agencies since 2004, after several years in private equine practice. She received a M.S. degree in Immunology and Infectious Disease from Washington State University in 2017.

Dr. Pusterla is a professor of equine internal medicine and dentistry at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. His research focuses on selected aspects of equine infectious diseases with an emphasis on epidemiology, clinical disease understanding, diagnostics, prevention and treatment. Dr. Pusterla is board certified in both veterinary internal medicine and equine dentistry, and he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Zurich with an emphasis on vector-borne diseases.

Dr. Easton owns Phoenix Equine Veterinary Services, a three-doctor ambulatory practice in Scottsdale, Ariz. Her primary areas of focus are sports medicine, reproduction and general health practices. She received her veterinary degree from Texas A&M University in 2008.

Dr. Gold manages B.W. Furlong & Associates’ Equine MRI of New Jersey and Advanced Equine Imaging of Wellington. Dr. Gold received her veterinary degree from Cornell University in. She is board-certified in equine sports medicine and rehabilitation, and she also serves as medical director of the practice’s Soundness Center.

Dr. Kazakevicius currently practices as a single doctor ambulatory practitioner in Ocala, Florida and services a multi-discipline performance horse clientele. Dr. Kazakevicius received his veterinary medical degree from Kansas State University in 1985. He is an ISELP (International Society of Equine Locomotor Practitioners) certified practitioner and holds additional certifications in veterinary acupuncture and equine veterinary medical manipulation.

Dr. Lee owns South 40 Equine, a mobile equine veterinary service in College Station, Texas. He is a 2007 graduate of Texas A&M University. He spends much of his time with cutting and roping horses, and is an active member of AAEP, AVMA, TVMA and ISELP.

Dr. Rudolphi is a partner at Rudolphi Veterinary Service LLC in Wendelin, Ill. She earned her veterinary degree from Texas A&M University in 2008. Her practice is primary focused on performance horse and sports medicine, and she is currently a 4* FEI endurance veterinarian and among the veterinarians for the USEF Endurance Team.

Dr. Donaldson graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2013. She has worked in ambulatory practice in Ontario, Alberta, and New York. Currently, she is an associate veterinarian at Rotenberg Veterinary P.C., a four-doctor ambulatory practice near Toronto, ON, with a large caseload of reproductive work, performance horses in various disciplines, and internal medicine referrals. Jenna is passionate about sustainability in practice for equine veterinarians and recently founded Trillium Equine Veterinary Services, a practice dedicated to providing an alternative option for after-hours emergency coverage.

Dr. Henderson graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2014. After graduating she went directly into working as an associate at an equine practice in Winnipeg, MB for 2 years. Currently she is an owner and practicing vet at Henderson Equine Services, a two-doctor ambulatory practice near London, ON. The clinic has a wonderful variety of cases and clients, with a strong caseload in reproduction and sport horse medicine. Jackie has a key interest in clinic management and client communication to help her clients continue to receive excellent care while allowing the vets to maintain their work/life balance. Jackie loves competing with her two jumpers Nort and Nelson. Balancing the vet work schedule and personal equine time is a focus.

Dr. Arbittier is an associate professor of clinical equine field service at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, from which she received her veterinary degree in 2001. She joined Penn Vet in 2013 following 12 years as a senior associate at Blauner, Vecchione and Associates in Lansdale, Penn. Dr. Arbittier is also executive director of HAARBOR Inc., a special needs animal adoption network and sanctuary.

Dr. Hanelt has worked as a solo equine ambulatory veterinarian and as a private and examining veterinarian for both Thoroughbred and harness racing in New York, Texas, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Her professional area of interest is risk factor identification. She received her veterinary degree in 2001 from Atlantic Veterinary College, and she has presented at the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit and other prominent racing conferences. 

Dr. O’Shea is a board-certified veterinary surgeon and assistant professor at Western University of Health Sciences, from which she received her veterinary degree in 2009. She previously served as clinical assistant professor of equine orthopedic surgery and sports medicine at North Carolina State University and spent several years as a private practice veterinary surgeon in Maryland, New Mexico and the United Arab Emirates.

Dr. Wilhite earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1996 from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1998, he founded Wilhite Equine Veterinary Services, P.C., which is now doing business as Wilhite and Frees Equine Veterinary Services. His is a member of: AAEP; AVMA; MVMA; KCVMA; and the Missouri Academy of Veterinary Practitioners (MAVP).

In his spare time Dr. Wilhite enjoys spending time with his wife, Dana and their two children. Both of his children are very involved in music and band so Dr. Wilhite is a devoted "Band Dad". His 4-legged family includes several horses, a miniature horse named Stanley, two Corgis, and a Terrier mix. 

Dr. Banse obtained her DVM from Washington State University in 2007, and completed a combined residency (equine internal medicine) and PhD program at Oklahoma State University in 2013.  After four years on faculty at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, she moved to Louisiana State University where she is presently an Associate Professor of Equine Medicine and Associate Dean for Educational Strategy. Her clinical research interests include equine glandular gastric disease and equine endocrine disease.

Dr. Burns is a 2004 graduate of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and she completed her internship, residency (equine internal medicine), and PhD at The Ohio State University. She is currently the Bud & Marilyn Jenne Professor of Equine Clinical Sciences and Research and an Associate Professor of Equine Medicine at OSU, and her clinical and research interests are equine endocrine disease, endocrinopathic laminitis, and neonatology.

Dr. Ryan Ferris grew up in Soap Lake, Washington. He graduated from Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. He completed an internship at Equine Medical Center of Ocala, Ocala, FL, after graduation. This was followed by a residency in equine reproduction at Colorado State University. After completing the residency Ryan joined the faculty at CSU before moving with his family to start Summit Equine in 2017.

Professional interests: Problem mares, infections endometritis, biofilm, and advanced reproduction techniques

Personal interests: fly fishing and spending time with his two kids Makenze and Callen.

Dr. Ortis practices at Equine Medical Services, Inc. in Columbia, Mo., a full-service equine hospital that specializes in advanced equine reproductive services. He joined the practice in 2004 after receiving his veterinary degree from Louisiana State University.

Dr. Ortis’ professional interests are reproductive management of mares and stallions; and advanced reproductive techniques, including embryo transfer, oocyte aspiration and ICSI.

Drs. Kerry and James Beckman founded Gas Light Equine Veterinary Practice, a three-doctor ambulatory practice near Louisville, Ky., in 2006. In January 2021, the Beckmans spun off Gas Light Equine’s after-hours emergency service into a wholly owned subsidiary, Bluegrass Equine Emergency Service, staffed by two full-time veterinarians who see emergencies for area practitioners who have chosen to reduce or relinquish their on-call coverage responsibilities. Dr. Kerry Beckman earned her veterinary degree from the University of Florida in 2002. She worked as an associate in an equine clinic in Oklahoma before completing an equine sports medicine residency at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. James Beckman received his veterinary degree from Oklahoma State University in 2004 and spent two years as an associate in a private practice in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Liz Fish of Pawling, N.Y., is the owner of Shadowrock Equine Veterinary Services. She provides veterinary services as a relief veterinarian covering both routine appointments and emergency call. After receiving her veterinary degree in 2008 from Cornell University, Dr. Fish completed an internship at Rhinebeck Equine. Dr. Fish is also a major in the U.S. Army Reserve Veterinary Corps. She deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel from 2019–2020 and was awarded the Bronze Star for exceptionally meritorious service.

Dr. Mark Fitch has practiced equine medicine in the Boulder, Colo., area for more than 40 years. A native of Wyoming, he is a 1976 graduate of the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and completed an internship at Littleton Large Animal before establishing his own practice. Dr. Fitch’s professional interests include dentistry, lameness and behavioral counseling. He has worked with area colleagues to cover after-hours call as part of an emergency cooperative for many years.

Dr. Adair is a professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee and director of its Equine Performance and Rehabilitation Center. After receiving his DVM from Auburn University, Dr. Adair spent two years in private equine practice and completed a surgery residency at the University of Tennessee. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and charter diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Adair’s primary research areas include equine musculoskeletal conditions, regenerative medicine and equine rehabilitation.

Dr. Sisk is founder of Kaydence Sports Medicine and Rehab in Carthage, Mo., and an avid three-day eventer. After receiving her veterinary degree in 2015 from the University of Missouri, she completed an internship at Wilhite & Frees Equine Hospital, after which she joined the performance-based practice full time. She completed her Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner certification under the tutelage of Dr. Adair in 2016 and became certified in chiropractic and acupuncture the following year. Dr. Sisk opened her current practice in 2020.

John Chalk, Jr. has spent the last 25 years helping individuals and business owners, with issues of succession, structure, and tax reduction strategies. As an attorney, CPA, Certified Financial Planner® and lifelong animal enthusiast, he is uniquely positioned to assist veterinary practices of all sizes, address the key issues and major challenges facing veterinarians today. John has spoken nationally for the equine and companion animal segments of the veterinary industry. His passion is to help people align their wealth with their values… and thus further their purpose in life.

Morgan J. Webb works with Trinity Portfolio Advisors and has been providing comprehensive financial planning and implementation to families and business owners for the past 15 years. Morgan is a Certified Financial Planner®, Certified Fund Specialist, and an Enrolled Agent with the IRS. She spent her college years at Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas.

As a Financial Adviser, she has successfully helped her clients navigate through some of life’s most important milestones. With her clients’ best interests as her highest priority, Morgan continues to be intentional with her clients developing a plan that is customized to their personal goals & objectives and helping to bring purpose to their wealth.