Management

Our capable administration works to keep ACCES running smoothly. Our managers work together to provide ongoing training for our staff so that we can provide the best care possible for you and your pet. Our team also works together to keep our facility in top-notch condition.

Roy Brock (Hospital Manager/Finance Director) is originally from Pleasant View, Tennessee, located just outside of Nashville. He moved to Seattle in October, 2000. He was a corporate location manager of a major home-repair and remodeling company before joining our team. He has 2 golden retriever brothers, Niko and Bubba.  Roy recently received his MBA from Regis University in Denver, CO.

Nya Stilwell (Human Resource Director) is our human resources manager. Nya was previously the administrator at a large veterinary specialty practice in southern California and also worked as a zookeeper for wolves and large cats. She has one super cute Border Terrier named Louise (Wheezy).

Riki Strough (LVT, Facilities Manager) had many years of prior veterinary experience in California before moving to Seattle and joining our team. She has 1 dog and is especially interested in emergency medicine and orthopedics.

 

Administrative Support

Christina Ryan (Blood Bank/Reception) has a BA in Communications and another in Anthropology from Pacific Lutheran University. She has previous experience working as a receptionist in a veterinary day practice. Christina has four cats named Moses, Oliver, Juliet and Sheba. Her special interests are in Hematology and wound management, and she someday hopes to receive her veterinary technician license.

Shin Zhang (Administrative Assistant) has over eight years of experience in office/Human Resource administration and is interested in developing more in the field of Human Resources. She loves animals and respects the veterinary industry.

 

Client Services

Our client service staff are the first people you will meet when you come to ACCES. Their goal is make your experience as smooth as possible, to make sure you are well taken care of, and that all your questions are answered. They will help you with paperwork and make sure that you and your pet receives the best care.

Kate Paisley (Client Service Staff-Seattle) attended the Mills College for Studio Arts. She has some previous experience doing office support tasks, and owns a four-year-old Boston Terrier/Pug mix named Oliver.

Dawndy Rollness (Client Service Staff-Seattle) worked as a lead receptionist at a localclinic before joining our team. She has a wide variety of pets including cats, dogs, birds, bunnies and an iguana. She also volunteers on a critter team at the Seattle Animal Shelter. She is interested in learning as much as she can in the veterinary field.

Joelle Craft (Client Service Staff-Renton) recently received a degree in psychology from Argosy University. Joelle has worked as an After School Club Coordinator for the past five years at her son's school. She enjoys working for ACCES because of the people and the animals. She loves playing with her friend's dogs, but at home she only owns one cat named Eliana.

Christy Thomson (Client Service Staff-Seattle) has been part of the ACCES team off and on for several years. In the past she has served as the foster coordinator for the Seattle Humane Society. Christy has also worked at various other local sheters as a volunteer, as she loves animals and works very hard to make sure that all of them have a fair chance. She has one cat named Bob, and a blood donor mixed dog named Lilu.

Alexis Warner (Client Service Staff-Seattle) has a BA in Sociology from California Lutheran University. She is new the the veterinary industry but loves animals and has a lot of experience with administrative support. Alexis first learned about ACCES when her childhood dog was a patient here, and she has been wanting to be a part of the team ever since. She is very interested in learning more about animal medicine. At home Alexis has Oscar a pitt/boxer mix, a blue heeler named Bailey and Emmy the mini schnauzer.

Tera Wilbur (Client Service Staff-Renton) rejoins the ACCES team after a short stint as a receptionist at another veterinary practice. Although Tera doesn't currently have any pets, she is waiting for the right rescue to come along. In the meantime, Tera enjoys spending time with her children and is happy to be back at ACCES providing outstanding customer service.

 

Technicians & Veterinary Assistants

Our licensed veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants work with the doctors to provide compassionate care for your pets. Their goal is to assist the doctor as needed and to provide the nursing care needed to get your pet better if they need to be admitted to our intensive care unit. Our staff is highly trained and includes two of the very few emergency and critical care certified technicians in the state.

Cheryl Adler (Veterinary Assistant-Seattle) has been a UW student research Assistant while working on finishing her degree in microbiology. She has also worked as an animal phlebotomist. Prior to joining the ACCES team Cheryl worked at two different local veterinary hospitals. Her interests include visual differentials, IMHA, Immunology, and especially autoimmunity. At home Cheryl has one female longhair calico named Juliet. She is also a foster parent in the Seattle Animal Shelter cat program.

Melissa Bjorland (LVT-Seattle) is a graduate of PIMA Medical Institute's Veterinary Technician Program. She has more than 8 years experience working with animals in a general veterinary practice, including cats, dogs, pocket pets and exotics. As one of our surgical technicians, Melissa enjoys learning new technologies and would like to specialize in anesthesiology. She enjoys running, hiking, and being outdoors. Her cats Buddy and Moo Moo and her dog Delilah are her special friends at home.

Wesley Bourgault (LVT-Seattle) has many years of experience with animals. He grew up on a farm with horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks and a turkey! Since the age of 13 he has worked in various veterinary offices as a kennel assistant. For the past 6 years Wes worked at an all-cat veterinary practice and has a very broad range of knowledge about the species. At home he has two cats, named Simon and Olivia.

Lindsay Bridgewater (Client Liaison-Seattle) worked at an emergency clinic in Michigan before joining our team. She has 2 dogs, 1 cat, and 1 horse. Her dog Bandit is a German Shepherd and saves lives often by donating blood to the ACCES Blood Bank program.

Dana De La Torre (Internal Medicine Assistant-Seattle) has more than 15 years experience in the veterinary field, first as a receptionist and now as an assistant to our internist. Her hobbies include camping, hiking, and showing her Border Terrier, Norman. Dana also has a Pomeranian named Jack and a really mean cat named Miyah.

Michelle Duritza (Veterinary Assistant-Seattle) has a B.A. in Psychology from Canisius College, with dual minors in Animal Behavior and Zoo Biology. She has also gone to school for animal husbandry and behavior. For one year Michelle worked as a lead in the kennels at the Seattle Humane Society, as well as interned in the Buffalo Zoo. She has an avid interest in all aspects of animal medicine and loves to use her knowledge and skill to help where needed. At home, Michelle owns a pug named Reggie.

Andrea Clewley (LVT-Seattle) has a B.S. in Biology and Zoology from the University of Washington. She worked as a seasonal marine animal rehabilitator at Alaska Sea life Center and a seasonal wildlife rehabilitator at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. She is especially interested in zoonotic diseases. Andrea recently adopted a very sweet black lab from the Humane Society, and named him Bowser.

Allison Dietz (LVT/Blood Bank Director-Seattle) managed and worked as a veterinary assistant in a Banfield pet hospital before joining our staff. She also helped start and manage a veterinary blood bank prior to joining the ACCES team and beginning a blood bank here. She is very interested in blood banking and in transfusion medicine.  Allison recently received her microbiology degree. She has two cats named Arthur and Panther.

Mandy Flatin (LVT-Seattle) has a B.S. in Veterinary Technology. She worked in North Dakota for three years as a technician before moving to the Seattle area, where she loves to go fly fishing. Mandy has a lab-cross named Jackson and a cat named Melman.

Tana Greatorex (LVT-Seattle) has been in the veterinary field since 2000 and graduated from Veterinary Technician School in 2003. Her special interests are in surgery and physical therapy. She currently serves as the surgicial technician for our surgeon, Dr. Tamara Walker. Tana has two cats, Isis and Choco.

Melissa Hoemann (LVT VTS(ECC) - Seattle) A graduate of Pierce College, Melissa Hoemann is a licensed veterinary technician with a specialty certification in emergency and critical care medicine. Prior to joining ACCES in 2010, Melissa spent the last nine years working at several area emergency and referral clinics as well as co-directing a cat rescue group for seven years. Melissa's strong interest in supportive, long-term care led her to launch an in-home pet nursing service to assist pet owners with home care. Emmy and Tristan are her Huskies at home. She also has three cats named Foo Foo, Fancy, and Raymond.

Lynn Jansheski (Surgical LVT-Seattle & Renton) has six years of experience in the veterinary field prior to joining ACCES, which included two years of general practice, two years of specialty surgery and two years of specialty emergency. She has a Bachelors in Visual Arts fromthe University of Florida and a Bachelors of Applied Sceinces in Veterinary Technology from St. Petersburg College. Her special interests are in wound care. Lynn has a Siamese mix named Anna and two Hound mixes named Dean and Cordy.

Jennifer Johnson (LVT-Renton) is a former New York City resident, where she worked as a Licensed Veterinary Technician for two different animal hospitals. She received her AAS in Veterinary Technology from La Guardia Community College in New York. JJ has one very sweet pitbull named Alabama.

Theresa Kincaid (LVT-Renton) comes to us after working three years in a veterinary day practice. She also volunteers at the Woodland Park Zoo. Theresa has two who are blood donors for the ACCES Blood Bank.

Mina Kida (Radiology Assistant-Seattle) worked in the veterinary field for two years before joining ACCES in 2006. She enjoys working with small animals and has special interest in emergency and internal medicine. Mina has one standard and one toy poodle named "Keith"(st) and "Momo"(toy), and two cats named "Jane" and "Clyde."

Anna Kim (Radiology Assistant-Seattle) has previous experience working with animals at the PAWS Senior Wildlife Care program. Her special veterinary medical interest lies with wildlife rehabilitation and pathology.

Carmen King-Sawyer, (LVT, VTS (ECC)-Seattle) graduated from the Pierce College veterinary technology program in 2002. She is the daughter of a veterinarian, started cleaning kennels at age 14, and has been working in veterinary medicine ever since. She has an adult Doberman named Calla, a new doberman puppy named Dante who has future aspirations to be a blood donor when he grows up and a cat named Abby who is a retired blood donor.

Josh Martin (Client Liaison-Seattle) has over six years of experience in veterinary day practices as a receptionist, kennel and veterinary assistant. His other relevant experience was as a volunteer at Sarvey Wildlife Center and as a dogsledder. His special interests are in veterinary medicine, biochemistry and genetics. Josh owns two cats, Possum and Panda, who are part of the ACCES blood donor program.

Marina May (LVT-Renton) really loves pets. She is a graduate of the Pierce College School of Veterinary Technology and for the past two years has been working as a veterinary assistant for a day practice in Maple Valley. She surrounds herself with animals at home. Her pets include a Bichon named Angel, a Toy Poodle named Bear, a Lab named Tarah, and Eclectus parrot named Buddy as well as a rabbit, a guinea pig, chickens and a talking catfish. In the future, Marina plans to work with exotic emergency medicine and do wildlife rehabilitation.

Linda Ness (LVT-Seattle) spent several years as a licensed massage therapist before switching to the animal industry. She had several years experience at another emergency facility before joining our team. She enjoys the adrenaline rush of helping animals during a true crisis. She has one dog, four cats and two birds, and her special interests lie in anesthesia and exotics.

Rob Oatman (LVT-Renton) is a licensed veterinary technician that hails from upstate New York. Prior to joining ACCES, Rob worked for seven years at another local animal urgent care facility. Rob enjoys things to do with the outdoors such as camping, hiking, riding motorcycles and skiing. He shares his home with a cairn terrier named Leonard and a domestic shorthair cat named Joker.

Brynn Petersen (LVT-Seattle) came to us with eight years of previous experience in emergency medicine. She has a cat with one eye, a cat with no eyes and a cat that is just plain lazy. Her special interests are in cytology analysis, exploratory surgeries and wounds.

Kyla Pigott (LVT-Renton) was first an extern at ACCES Renton before being hired as part of the team. She graduated from PIMA Medical Institute's Veterinary Technician Program in the spring of 2011. Kyla also has a B.S. in biology from the University of Puget Sound, class of 1996. After nearly 15 years being an admin/executive assistant, Kyla decided to change careers and is now doing what she has always loved to do; work with animals. Her medical interests lie in emergency and critical care, especially trauma. At home Kyla has one wonder dog named Lucy, and five cats: Stormy, Rascal, Ricky, Gypsy and Gunner. Gunner is a blood donor for the ACCES Blood Bank.

Julie Posch (LVT, VTS (ECC)) (Lead Training Technician-Seattle) has two bachelor’s degrees, one in zoology and the other in business. She has many years of experience in animal emergency. Her special interests are emergency critical care and anesthesia. She has one spotted dog named Kyra and one horse named Kip and another named Tim. Julie also has an array of farm animals.

Matt Reyes (Veterinary Assistant-Seattle) has future plans to get a Dogue De Bordeaux. Matt's special interests are in internal medicine, critical care and animal behavior. Matt is pursuing his career in veterinary medicine.

Tracey Schmidt (LVT, VTS (SAIM)-Renton) started working in the veterinary field in 1995. She has a BS degree in zoology from University of Washington and received her technician's license in 2001. Tracey has worked for the Woodland Park Zoo as a volunteer.  She has one dog and three cats. She enjoys working in a place where technicians are trusted by the doctors and allowed to work as part of the team.

Carrie Small (LVT-Seattle) is a graduate of the Pierce College Veterinary Technican training program. For the past eight years, Carrie has worked in other veterinary emergency hospitals and is very interested in animal massage and behavior. Carrie has three dogs, one cat, an aqua frog and a guinea pig.

Jaime Symbol (LVT-Renton) has been part of the ACCES team almost since its opening in 2003.  Prior to joining the ACCES team, Jaime worked for four years at a general day practice.  Currently, she has a pitbull named Shug, as well as two cats named Lucy Lou and Leggs.

Trisha Terada (Kennel/Radiology Assistant-Seattle) joins the ACCES team while she is attending Pierce College and is working toward her veterinary technician's license in their veterinary technican program. Trisha has experience working in the veterinary field as an assistant at the Feline Hyperthyroid Treatment Center, an assistant at a day practice, and has volunteered as a kennel attendant at PAWS. At home, Trisha has one cat named Carrot and a pitbull named Cleo.

Yvonne Victor (Surgical Assistant-Seattle) has owned and cared for many, many animals over the years.  She has taken care of everything from dogs to other, smaller, loveable critters.  She has a special interest in animal husbandry and geriatrics. In addition to her meticulous cleaning and eye for detail, she enjoys being a part of the surgical team at ACCES.  Yvonne has two loveable miniature Schnauzers named Reggie and Gordy that love to come to work with mom every day.

Jon Wieringa (LVT, VTS (ECC))(Hospital Manager-Renton) comes to ACCES with a lot of experience in the veterinary field as both a technician and in a managerial role. Jon is also an EMT for the King County Sheriff's Department. Jon spends his off time working as a Search and Rescue K-9 handler and a search manager for the King County Sheriff Search & Rescue. At home he has a Australian Cattle Dog named Loki, A Border Collie named Teva, and two cats named Max and Abby.

Diane Yamamoto (LVT) started her veterinary career in Colorado. She has worked in specialty, surgery, and emergency clinics before joining our team. She has one cat, Mxyzlpzlk. Her special interests in veterinary medicine include radiology, nutrition, and mean cats.

 

 

Kennel Support Staff

Albert Campos (Kennel Staff-Seattle) has over three years of customer service experience and two years working as a lab technician with the Department of Agriculture. He has one black cat named CiB (cat in black).

 

 

Hospital Cats: ACCES also happily employs two hospital cats. They live in the break room and donate blood on an emergency basis. The Seattle cat duo is Klunker (pictured on the "For Pet Owners" page) and the newest addition to the pair is Panther. Their main interests include keeping the chairs warm for the staff, scrounging for dropped bits of food, and pretending to not want your affection.

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