Marlon Neely, DVM

Dr. Marlon Neely graduated from the Colorado State Veterinary School in 1971. He worked in a general veterinary practice for about 1 year. He then joined North Metro Animal Hospital (NNAH) as a staff veterinarian. NMAH was a Central Hospital where several of the area general veterinary practices sent there involved medical, surgical and emergency cases to be treated. Dr. Don Piermattie came to NMAH as acting Chief of Staff and to start a Surgical Referral Practice. His previous position was Head of surgery at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Neely worked the emergency service at night and then scrubbed in with Dr. Piermattie during the day to assist him with his surgical cases.

After working at NMAH for approximately two years Dr. Neely started Central Veterinary Emergency Hospital (CVEC). He then sold CVEC to 21 local veterinarians after 2 years. While he was working at the emergency clinic at night, Dr. Neely started the Bergen Park Animal Clinic in Bergen Park, CO. He worked at the Bergen Park Animal Clinic until 1979. At that time he sold the clinic to Dr. TJ Fogg.

Dr. Neely founded Veterinary Surgical Services in 1979 following many years of practical and advanced surgical training. He began his surgical practice by offering his service on a mobile basis to assist metro Denver area veterinarians with advanced surgical care. In 1991 Dr. Steve Wheeler a board certified Internist join forces with Veterinary Surgical Services and Central Veterinary Emergency Clinic to start the beginning of VRCC, a veterinary specialty and emergency hospital. In 1992 these three veterinary services built a 5,000 sq ft. veterinary referral hospital. Within a year they were joined by specialists in Oncology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology and Neurology. By 1999 the VRCC referral practice had grown so much that we had to move into a new 20,000 sq. ft. veterinary hospital where we presently reside.

Dr. Neely is one of the founding members of a local charity called Friends of Man. He and his wife Sukoshi work at the charity every day during the week. The charity was started in 1982 with the idea that we would work the charity as volunteers and that we, the founding members, would pay for all of the overhead of the organization. All donations would be used only to assist those in need. When Dr. Neely is not working, his greatest enjoyment is playing golf.

Brian Van Vechten, DVM

Dr. Brian Van Vechten was raised in east San Diego County. An early interest in animal care led to involvement in 4-H and FFA where he showed dogs, cattle, and sheep.

After graduating Granite Hills High School in 1974, Dr. Van Vechten attended the University of California at Davis majoring in Zoology. He was accepted into U. C. Davis Veterinary School and attained a doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 1982.
Following graduation from veterinary school Dr. Van Vechten owned and operated Valhalla Veterinary Clinic in El Cajon, California. In 1989 after 7 years in general practice Dr. Van Vechten sold Valhalla Veterinary Clinic to further a longtime interest in veterinary surgery. He was accepted into a small animal surgery residency program at the University of California at Davis where he obtained training in soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, and microvascular surgery. Study projects included growth plate deformities and the resulting alignment problems and evaluation of porto-systemic shunts. Dr, Van Vechten completed his residency in 1992 and was voted resident teacher of the year by the graduating class. He then did extensive traveling and lecturing in Europe, Africa, and Asia. In 1994 Dr. Van Vechten moved to Fort Collins, Colorado to pursue a fellowship in surgical oncology at Colorado State University Comparative Oncology Unit. This training included surgeries in limb sparings, soft tissue resections, and surgical options for vertebral tumors.
Dr. Van Vechten moved to Denver following the completion of his fellowship in 1995. He was initially a surgeon at Veterinary Surgical Services and is now a partner in Veterinary Surgical Services. Dr. Van Vechten has a broad background and interest in soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, oncologic surgery, and reconstructive surgery. He is a member of the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology (VSSO.org).
Outside of work, Dr. Van Vechten and his wife Liz enjoy spending time with their three children: Alexandria, Jacob, and Nicholas. Their German Shepherd Mara is an integral part of the home. Two new additions are the kittens Bobo and Bingo. Dr. Van Vechten is an avid golfer and frequently combines golf with his passion for travel. The proximity of the Colorado mountains allows the family opportunity for weekend trips of hiking and skiing. Dr. Van Vechten is proud to be part of the Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado and feels blessed to be able to work with such a dedicated and talented staff.

Chad M. Devitt, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS

Chad M. Devitt, DVM, MS, DACVS is a board-certified surgeon and joined the surgery section at VRCC in 1999. Dr. Devitt completed a master's degree program and surgical residency at Colorado State University in 1996. Following his residency, Dr. Devitt joined the staff at the Animal Tumor Center at Colorado State University as a Surgical Oncology Fellow in 1996. Dr. Devitt became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1997.

Chad M. Devitt DMV, MS attended Iowa State University for his undergraduate and Veterinary Training and graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with honors in 1992. After graduation, Dr. Devitt was an intern at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. He graduated from his internship in 1993 and received the President's award for Intern of the Year. From New York City Dr. Devitt traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado, beginning a three-year small animal surgical residency at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. During Dr. Devitt's residency, he developed many of his professional interest including reconstructive surgery, minimally invasive surgery and surgical oncology. While a resident at Colorado State University, Dr. Devitt completed a Masters Degree in Veterinary Clinical Sciences (Surgery). Following, his surgical residency, Dr. Devitt became a Surgical Oncology Fellow at the Animal Tumor Center at Colorado State University. During his fellowship, Dr. Devitt received additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in small animal patients. Performing surgeries such as limb salvage in dogs with osteosarcoma, radical maxillofacial surgery, and brain tumor resections. In February of 1997 Dr. Devitt passed the American College of Veterinary Surgeons board exam and became a board certified Surgeon. Dr. Devitt moved to St. Petersburg, Florida following his fellowship to join the Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialist in 1997. During a summer trip back to Colorado, Dr. Devitt visited VRCC's new facility, and just had to move back to Colorado. When away from the hospital, Dr. Devitt enjoys mountain biking with his wife, windsurfing, fly-fishing, and backcountry skiing.

Tara Britt, VMD Diplomate ACVS

Tara Britt, VMD is a Diplomate of the American College ofVeterinary Surgeons. She is a native of Pennsylvania and attended Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, obtaining a bachelors degree in biology and marine science. Dr. Britt returned to Pennsylvania for her veterinary training and received her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania in 2002. Prior to graduation, she participated in a summer externship in
marine mammal rehabilitation at Sea World in San Diego and attended a summer veterinary course in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. After graduation from veterinary school, she completed a small animal internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and discovered her passion for surgery.
Following the internship, Dr. Britt stayed at RBVH for her surgical residency. In 2006, she moved to Fort Collins, Colorado to complete the surgical oncology fellowship at Colorado State University where she performed limb sparing surgeries, chest wall reconstructions and maxillofacial resections. This was Dr.
Britt’s first extended time away from the east coast and she fell in love with Colorado. In 2007, she joined Southwest Veterinary Surgical Service with offices in Glendale and Gilbert, Arizona. Although the Arizona winter was wonderful, she missed Colorado. Dr. Britt joined Veterinary Surgical Services in 2008
and is excited to be part of the state of the art veterinary care offered at the Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado. Dr. Britt enjoys downhill skiing, traveling, yoga, and mountain biking.

Kurt Grimm, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVA, DACVCP

Kurt Grimm, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary
Anesthesiologists and Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary
Clinical Pharmacology is a former assistant professor of anesthesiology and
pain management at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary
Medicine. He earned his DVM from Iowa State University in 1995 and later
his MS and PhD from the University of Illinois. He is co-editor of several
texts including Pain Management for the Small Animal Practitioner and Lumb
and Jones’ Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, 4th edition.

Etta Wertz, DVM, MS, DACVA, CVA

Etta is a Colorado native and grew up in Denver.
She graduated from Colorado State University and did an internship at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her anesthesia residency and Master’s degree were completed at the University of Illinois. Etta was one of the faculty anesthesiologists at Cornell University and later at CSU. Etta has also completed IVAS training in acupuncture and was certified in 1999. She has been in practice for the past 15 years.

Jennifer Barry, Surgery Coordinator

Jennifer has been with VSS since October 2002.  A childhood dream of working with animals led her to VRCC where she has the daily satisfaction in knowing she has helped animals and their owners through the healing process.  Jennifer enjoys getting to observe the various surgical procedures performed by the VSS surgeons.

Jennifer lives in Parker with her husband Brad and two beautiful daughters.  Motherhood has added a new aspect to her- getting to make every moment a new and exciting adventure.

Colleen Chambers, BS, CVT

Colleen is a Colorado native and earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Colorado State University. She has three children and a lively yellow lab. After continuing her education and graduating from Bel-Rea, she worked for a veterinary emergency hospital in Greenwood Village.
Colleen has been with VSS since 1990 as a surgical technician and Practice Manager. She assisted Dr. Neely for many years and each year took on more of the business duties. Colleen co-chairs the YAPS (Youth and Pet Survivors) program. This program of the Animal Care Foundation, partners children and pets with cancer in a pen-pal relationship. Colleen is also the Outreach Coordinator and mission pilot participant for Lifeline Pilots. This organization assists patients and their families in getting free transportation to scheduled appointments and surgeries. The Colorado chapter of Lifeline serves Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana and New Mexico
In her spare time she enjoys mountain biking, road biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing, snowshoeing and golf.

Laurie Simmons, Surgery Coordinator

Laurie is originally from a small town in Ohio.  She traveled to Colorado after attending college and majored in Biology at Kent State University.   She has been living here for the last 10 years.  She decided to pursue a career in working with animals after moving to Denver.  She worked her way up in the veterinary world and was a hospital manager at a veterinary hospital for 7 years.  She joined VSS in May 2008.  She also has been running her own pet sitting business for the last 10 years that keeps her very busy.  Laurie lives with her husband Patrick, their daughter, Peyton, and their 2 other furry kids, Puck the pug and Edemae the mutt, a.k.a., “the best dog in the world”.  When Laurie is not at VRCC, or taking care of other people’s furry families, she enjoys biking, hiking, swimming, skiing, and relaxing with her family.

Jodi Fortin, Technician Assistant

Jodi is a certified veterinary assistant. She graduated from PIMA Medical in 2005. Jodi worked at a non-profit veterinary facility before joining VSSin July of 2006. Jodi enjoys spending time with friends, family and her two adorable American Bulldogs, Rachett and Chopper.

Leslie Gaudet, C.V.T.

Leslie is a 2004 graduate of Bel-Rea who joined VSS in the summer of 2006.
Previously she spent two years at a non-profit general practice. Leslie is very intrigued by surgery and loves that the surgeries we do are so important to maintaining a happy life for our "Best Friends". Leslie enjoys spending time with her mom, sisters and new nephew in Colorado Springs. She and her fiancé Josh have four "children" - three black and white cats- Nero, Nigel and Noah; and an All-American Mutt named Dasie.

Melissa Crocker, C.V.T.

Melissa Crocker is a certified veterinary technician and graduate of Bel-Rea Insitute of Animal Technology. She is originally from Chicago and transplanted here in 1999. She currently lives with her husband of 5 years at their home in Littleton along with their 2 cats, 2 birds and several fish.

Mark Horton, C.V.T.

Mark is a Colorado native and resides in a community just east of Golden.

After graduation from the University of Colorado, he worked for several years in the insurance industry. Due to a growing and unfulfilled passion for animals, Mark decided a career change was in order. He decided to attend Bel-Rea and graduated in 2002. He joined VSS in September of 2003.

Mark’s family includes two dogs, a cat and a turtle. In his free time, he enjoys golf, skiing, biking, bowling and pool. Mark is a sports fan and likes to watch football, basketball and baseball.

Rona McElroy, C.V.T., VTS (Anesthesia)

Rona McElroy came to Colorado from Canada in the fall of 1994. She graduated from Bel-Rea in March of 2000 and started working for VSS right after graduation. Rona loves outdoor activities which include equestrian, sports, camping, snowmobiling, skiing and being an ostrich jockey. With help from her husband and daughter, Rona cares for an entire collection of pets including 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 fish, a rabbit, a bird and a horse.

Rona achieved a milestone in her career in the fall of 2006. After
countless months of preparation, Rona traveled to San Antonio, Texas to take
the certification test to become a Veterinary Technician Specialist in
Anesthesia. She joins an already elite group of technicians, and is one of
only four technicians in Colorado that are certified in anesthesia.
In her time away from work, Rona cares for two fish, a bird, a horse, three
dogs and two cats as well as her husband and daughter.

Roxane Rocks, C.V.T.

Roxane is a Colorado native, growing up in a farm community south of Brighton. Although she had been active in animal welfare for years, it wasn't until her own dog was diagnosed with diabetes that she decided to make a career change and leave the floral industry. She graduated from Bel Rea in September 2001 and received her certification in January 2002. Roxane spent 3 years at a general veterinary practice before joining the VSS surgery team in April 2005.

In her spare time, Roxane is a volunteer docent at the Denver Zoo where she
educates visitors about wildlife conservation. At home, she likes to spend
time with her husband, son and their Border Collie daughters, Murphy and
TessLah.

Margie Deichmann, Greeter

Margie is the surgery greeter- the friendly face that you see when you come
into the lobby at VRCC, Margie is originally from Texas and has been in
Colorado for four and a half years. She has a son and daughter-in-law that
are in Texas and a daughter here in Denver. Margie has four grandchildren
that are her pride and joy. Margie enjoys reading, collecting recipes and
being part of the Red Hat Ladies group.

Kelly Stevenson, C.V.T.

Kelly joined VSS in September of 2000, moving here from Texas.  She has two silly boxers, “Kain” and “Z” who are her best friends. Surgery is very fascinating to Kelly and she thrives in the fast-paced setting.  “Z” has had TPLO's in both stifles and reconstructive surgery to remove a cancerous mass.  “Kain” had successful lower back surgery to repair a herniated disc.  Kelly enjoys using vacation time to volunteer with VIDAS, an organization that holds free veterinary medicine and education clinics in the Yucatan of Mexico.

She enjoys being able to give back to the community by helping the growing health concerns in such a poor country. In working for VSS, Kelly finds new and intriguing ways to love her job and help  strengthen the human-animal bond.

Stacey Vaughan, CVT

Stacey graduated from Bel-Rea Institute in Denver in June, 1997. He has worked in General Practice, Emergency, and Specialty Hospitals during his career. His interests are keeping up with his wife, three kids, and their 2 Siberian Huskies (ages 13 and 10). He's also an avid runner and enjoys the Bolder Boulder and other races each year.

Lara Tannian, Technician Assistant

Lara grew up in Michigan and moved to Colorado in 1995. She attended and graduated from PIMA Institute in the summer of 2003. After graduation Lara worked at a general practice veterinary clinic
for 3 years. Lara joined the staff of VSS in November of 2006 and enjoys learning something new every day about veterinary medicine and surgery. Lara enjoys spending time with her friends, family and two dogs ‘Teddy’ and ‘Tre’.

Atom Gardiner, Anesthesia Recovery

Atom was born in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to Denver in 1992. He has been at Oral Roberts University, majoring in Biomedical Chemistry and Colorado Institute of Culinary Arts.
Atom has run the recovery room at VRCC since 1998. The recovery room is special to VRCC- a warm, quiet place where our patients are continually monitored by Atom the entire time they are there.
Atom is a wine enthusiast, loves cooking, baking and spoiling his young son, Kaige (who he points out is a perfect child!)

Susan Kenney, Surgical Coordinator

Susan is a native of Colorado, born and raised in Boulder.  She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Colorado State University in Zoology and an Associate’s Degree in Exotic Animal Training and Management from Moorpark College in California.  She was a veterinary technician for 7 years and worked as an animal keeper/trainer for 1 1/2 years in Oregon.  Susan likes to spend time with her furry “kids”, and her family and friends.  She is pursuing a career in animal control.

Diana De la Cruz

Diana is originally from southern California.  She, her husband, Gabe and 3 cats (8-Ball, Le Mieux and Flipper) moved to Colorado in March 2003.  Since moving to such a dog friendly state, they have adopted 2 beagles (Buddy and Cassandra) and beagle/chihuahua mix named Skittles. In November 2006 they added one more to the family, a son named
Joaquin Rafael.