Speakers
Dr. Norm G. Ducharme, DMV, DACVS
Dr. Norm G. Ducharme earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Montreal and is a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. Ducharme is currently the James Law Professor of Surgery (Large Animal) at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. He is also the Medical Director of the Equine and Farm Animal Hospitals at the Cornell Hospital for Animals and Professor of Surgery in the Department of Clinical Sciences.
Dr. William R. Fenner, DVM, DACVIM
Dr. William Fenner is a 1973 graduate from Texas A&M Veterinary College. He completed an internship in 1974 and residency in 1976 at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and continued to serve on the staff as a neurologist from 1976-1977. From 1977 to 2003, Dr. Fenner held faculty positions including Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Associate Dean at The Ohio State University. After retiring in 2004, he was hired by the ACVIM as Professional Liaison, an appointment he still holds. He is now a consulting neurologist for MedVet in Worthington, Ohio. His research interests include diagnosis, epidemiology and treatment of epilepsy. He also has an interest in inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system.
Dr. Heidi L. Hoefer, DVM, DABVP
Dr. Heidi Hoefer is a 1987 graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery in 1987 at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and continued in a two year residency program in avian and exotic pets. From 1990-1999, Dr. Hoefer maintained a staff appointment in the Dept. of Avian and Exotic Pets at the AMC. She is now in private practice at Island Exotic Veterinary Care in Huntington Station, New York. Dr. Hoefer has been ABVP certified in Avian Practice since 1993 and has written over 60 articles on avian and small mammals and has lectured nationally and internationally on exotic pet topics. Her clinical practice is limited to birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, rodents and other small companion mammals.
Dr. Sandra R. Merchant, DVM, DACVD
Dr. Sandra Merchant received her degree from the University of Florida in 1984. She completed an internship in 1985 at the Animal Medical Center in New York City before returning to the University of Florida to complete a residency in dermatology in 1988. She is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology and has been a faculty member at Louisiana State University since 1988 (where she is currently dermatology service chief and a full professor). She has been awarded the Norden Distinguished Teacher of the Year, Louisiana State University Teacher of the Year, Gamma Delta Sigma Teacher Honor Roll, Speaker of the Year - Small Animal - at the North America Veterinary Conference and Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine Faculty Distinguished Service Award. She has a special interest in veterinary medical education as well as ear disease and dermatologic endocrinology.
Dr. Kristina A. Yee, DVM
Kristina Yee, DVM, is a 2006 graduate of Ross University. Her accomplishments include speaking at the 2007 AVMA Annual Conference and completing an extensive externship with Jim Wilson, JD, DVM, which included the University of Pennsylvania’s Business Certificate Program, multiple resume/contract reviews, a Veterinary Economics publication, and various veterinary practice management issues, all while she was completing her clinical year at Ohio State University. Today, Dr. Yee is a lecturer and speaks at veterinary colleges throughout the United States on behalf of Veterinary Pet Insurance’s Veterinary Career Development University Series, a professional development consultant, and a full-time small animal practitioner. Throughout her career, Dr. Yee’s overarching goal has been to uphold the integrity of the veterinary profession by maintaining a high degree of professionalism and competence.
