Dr.Rice is a board-certified equine veterinary dentist who practices at MidwestVeterinary Dental Services in Elkhorn, Wisc. After receiving her veterinarydegree in 2003 from the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Rice completed aninternship with Wisconsin Equine Clinic, where she developed a strong interestin dentistry and reproduction. Following her internship, she practiced generalequine medicine while working to advance her skills in dentistry at a privatepractice in Madison, Wisc., before joining her current practice in 2009. Dr.Rice became an equine diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College in2018 and enjoys educating veterinarians, students and clients at continuingeducation events and meetings.

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. 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. Sherry Johnson attended veterinary school at Iowa State University, completed an equine internship at Equine Medical Center of Ocala and then completed a one-year equine diagnostic imaging fellowship at Colorado State University. She then transitioned into the collaborative Equine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation residency program through Colorado State University and Equine Sports Medicine, LLC. Following her residency training, she became a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (DACVSMR) in 2019. She then completed a PhD program at Colorado State University with specific research focus on orthopedic rehabilitation, specifically tendon healing and blood flow restriction training (2022). Dr. Johnson is the recipient of the American Quarter Horse Foundation Young Investigator Award (2018), named the EQUUS Foundation Research Fellow (2019), and was most recently granted the Storm Cat Career Development Award (2020), Iowa State University’s 2020 Young Alumni Award and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP’s) President Award (2020). She is honored to serve as the Program Chair of AAEP’s Performance Horse Committee and is a 4-time Kester News Hour moderator. She also serves on the equine advisory board for Pulse Vet Technologies, LLC, as a key opinion leader for American Regent Animal Health, and on Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine strategic advisory board. She is a partner & managing rehabilitation veterinarian of Equine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, LLC (ESMR) for which she oversees rehabilitation centers located in both Whitesboro, TX and Scottsdale, AZ. 

Dr. Aleman is a full professor of the equine internal medicine and neurology services, chief of service of equine internal medicine, and co-director of the Neuromuscular Disease Laboratory at UC Davis where samples from both humans and animals are processed. She is also a founding member of the Equine and Comparative Neurology Research Group and is affiliated with the Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory at UC Davis. Author of more than 120 peer-reviewed publications, 100 proceedings and abstracts, and 30 book chapters, Dr. Aleman is regularly consulted in challenging cases involving neurologic and muscle disease.

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. Buck is passionate about veterinary wellbeing, the human-animal bond and communities of healing. She received her PhD in social work and social research from Bryn Mawr College and currently serves as a professor at West Chester University in Pennsylvania, a veterinary wellbeing consultant with VetCor, and a part-time counselor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

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.

Originally from California, Dr. Von Dollen completed her undergraduate degree at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. She returned to California to attend veterinary school at the University of California-Davis, graduating in 2014. She returned to California to attend veterinary school at the University of California-Davis, grading in 2014. She completed internships at Alamo Pinto Equine Medical Center in California and Golburn Valley Equine Hospital in Australia before beginning her theriogenology residency at North Carolina State University in 2016. She became a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists in 2018 and completed a Master of Science degree in 2019. Her research and thesis focused on exploring the activity of antibiotics in uterine fluid. Her interests include all aspects of mare and stallion breeding management, with a particular passion for assisted reproductive techniques.