Meet
the Vet
Dr.
Cori Stephen, a native to North-Central BC,
graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon,
SK, in May 2005. During her four years at the WCVM, Dr. Stephen
travelled to Lexington, Kentucky to spend time at Rood and Riddle
Equine Hospital and to participate in the 1st Annual Opportunities in
Equine Practice Event. In her final year of vet college Dr. Stephen
attended the American Association of Equine Practitioners annual
convention and in February 2005 she completed a four week externship at
Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital's Equine Referral Center. Dr. Stephen is
the recipient of 2005's Dr. Alexander Janisz Memorial Award for
excellence in Large Animal Anesthesia.
As
a mixed animal practitioner, Dr. Stephen's interests vary amongst the
species in which she takes care of. She has a special interest in
equine reproduction, specifically artificial insemination and embryo
transfer, equine dentistry, wound management, lameness work ups and
evaluation as well as equine internal medicine. Dr. Stephen's small
animal interests are also internal medicine specifically cancer,
dermatology, and endocrinopathies. As for the ruminant aspect of
practise, Dr. Stephen has an interest in production animal health,
specifically cow-calf and feedlot medicine, and also enjoys working on
goats, llamas and alpacas.
Away
from the clinic, Dr. Stephen is an avid horsewoman. She also loves to
spend time in her garden and fishing, camping, and mountain biking with
her husband, David, her young son, Treyken and their dogs, Ruger and
Brin. Dr. Stephen is a member of the Canadian Veterinary Medicial
Association, the BC Veterinary Medical Association and the American
Association of Equine Practitioners.
Dr.Laura McIlwain grew up in rural Manitoba. She is a 2008 graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. During her final year of vet school, Laura participated in various rotations and externships. These included a feedlot rotation in Okotoks, an equine externship in Edmonton, and a dairy externship in Chilliwack. Laura was the 2008 recipient of the Dr. Alexander Janisz Memorial Award for Excellence in Large Animal Anesthesia.
At home in Manitoba, Laura was involved in the local Light Horse & Pony 4-H club for 10 years, as both a member and leader. Laura spent 3 years working on a dairy farm in Manitoba while attending university prior to vet school. During the summer after 1st year vet school, Laura fell in love with the Thoroughbred racehorse while working as a groom at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg.
Laura’s veterinary interests include equine medicine and surgery, particularly wound management and emergency medicine. She also enjoys working with cattle, especially dairy animals. Laura has a passion for ophthalmology, and is always excited to examine the eyes of her patients!
Outside of work, Laura enjoys riding her two horses, Sunny and Allie, and exercising her Border Collie, Arrow. Exploring every part of the beautiful province of British Columbia is one of Laura’s ambitions. She also enjoys snowboarding, playing hockey, and biking.
Laura is a member in the following organizations:
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association
American Association of Equine Practitioners
Jacintha Kulchar, has been with the clinic since the summer of 2007. In 2005, after completeing high school, she moved to Prince George to attend the College of New Caledonia graduating from the Applied Business Technology Program. Jacintha is NVAHS Practice Manager and is very active with patient and client care at our veterinary clinic.
She grew up on a farm outside of Vanderhoof and helps her family whenever needed with their herd of 120 cattle. Her Jack Russell Terrier, Fly and Morgan, Sassy, keep her busy. She enjoys downhill skiing, fishing, being outdoors and team sorting. She looks forward to meeting you and helping you with all your animal health care needs.
Alana Forsberg is our Vet Assistant and has been with the clinic since mid April of 2009. Alana has lots of previous animal experience, as well as some veterinary clinic experience from her teenage years. Surgeries and large animal work are interests of Alana's. Alana loves the variety of her work; seeing different animals and procedures.
Outside of the clinic, Alana, her husband, Dave, and three children, Kirsten, Seth and Emmett live on a farm full of horses, cows, chickens, cats, dogs and 3 bunnies. The whole family enjoy horseback riding - the boys pleasure ride and attend local gymkhana's while Alana and Kirsten both ride competitiively with the BC Barrel Racing Association and at local gymkhanas. All 3 kids are active in soccer and school sports. The family also enjoys hiking, camping and hunting. Dave works at Endako Mines and is pursuing a music career with his band, Willowvale.
Alana rus a home based business selling Creative Memories scrapbooking supplies and is active with the kids' school and community.
