PRESIDENT
DVM, MS, DACVS
vfscharf@mcsu.edu
Dr. Scharf earned a Bachelor of Science in Earth Systems from Stanford University and her DVM degree from Texas A&M University prior to completing a rotating internship at The Ohio State University. She completed a surgical residency and earned her MS focusing on translational oncology at the University of Florida. Her research interests include minimally invasive surgery, spontaneous pneumothorax, surgical oncology and endocrine neoplasia, and the role of companion animals as models of environmental exposure. She also has a strong interest in teaching and developing new strategies for surgical education.
PRESIDENT-elect
DVM, MS, DACVS
eagibson@vet.upenn.edu
Dr. Scharf earned a Bachelor of Science in Earth Systems from Stanford University and her DVM degree from Texas A&M University prior to completing a rotating internship at The Ohio State University. She completed a surgical residency and earned her MS focusing on translational oncology at the University of Florida. Her research interests include minimally invasive surgery, spontaneous pneumothorax, surgical oncology and endocrine neoplasia, and the role of companion animals as models of environmental exposure. She also has a strong interest in teaching and developing new strategies for surgical education.
treasurer
DVM, DAVCS-SA
cthom28@gmail.com
Dr. Thomson earned his veterinary doctorate from the University of Minnesota. Following a rotating internship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he returned to the University of Minnesota for a residency in small animal surgery. Following residency, he completed the fellowship in surgical oncology at Colorado State University. Dr. Thomson has been on the executive board for the Veterinary Endoscopy Society for three years and is an active member of the Veterinary Society for Surgical Oncology and the Veterinary Interventional Radiology and Interventional Endoscopy Society.
SECRETARY
DVM, MS, DACVS
colemkr@gmail.com
Kristin Coleman graduated summa cum laude with the Biomedical Sciences Dean’s Medal and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Auburn University in 2008. She then graduated summa cum laude with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and the ACVS Surgery Proficiency award from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. Kristin went on to complete a general rotating internship at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan in 2013. She completed her small animal surgery residency at and earned a Master of Science degree from Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 2016, and a few months later, she became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (DACVS-SA) in 2017. Kristin worked for a few years as a surgeon at a private practice specialty hospital in Brooklyn, NY before making the move to Houston, TX, where she has now worked for several years as a surgeon at a busy private practice specialty hospital, Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (GCVS). As a surgeon, she enjoys orthopedic surgery, soft tissue surgery, MIS, and any procedure involving exotics, which has led to her position as liaison to the Houston Zoo. In her spare time, she loves traveling, especially when it involves teaching about or performing surgery, running, and spending time with her 3 cats and tiny brown dog.
WEBMASTER
BVSc, DVSc, MANZCVS, DACVS-SA
hawker@uoguelph.ca
Will Hawker received his BVSc from the University of Sydney in 2012. He spent 7-years working in mixed animal practice on the Australian coast, before deciding to switch gears and pursue a surgical residency. He moved to Canada to undertake a rotating internship at the Ontario Veterinary College in 2019, before being accepted into a residency program at the same institution. Will completed his residency in 2024, and is currently an Assistant Professor in Small Animal Surgery at the OVC. Will has an interest in minimally invasive surgery with plans to start a fellowship in 2025.
Social Media Chair
DVM
colinchikvet@gmail.com
Dr. Chik received his bachelor’s degree and veterinary doctorate from Cornell University. After completion of a small animal rotating internship at the University of Minnesota, he returned to Cornell University to complete a residency in small animal surgery. Following residency, he completed the fellowship in surgical oncology at Colorado State University. His primary surgical interests involve minimally invasive surgery and interventional radiology/endoscopy. He is currently in private practice in Colorado where he enjoys spending time outdoors with his partner and three dogs!
research committee
research chair
DVM, MS, DACVS-SA
sarah.marvel@colostate.edu
Dr. Marvel achieved board certification from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in small animal surgery in 2014. Following her surgical residency, she completed fellowships in surgical oncology and minimally invasive surgery (small animal soft tissue) at Colorado State University. She is currently an assistant professor in general surgery in the department of clinical sciences at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She has an interest in emergency surgery, surgical oncology, and minimally invasive soft tissue surgery.
Committee Member
DVM, DACVS-SA
maureen.griffin@colostate.edu
Committee Member
DVM, DACVS-SA
jbmcphet@ncsu.edu
abstract review committee
Abstract Chair
DVM, DACVS-LA
rcm335@cornell.edu
Rebecca McOnie is an Assistant Professor of Equine & Farm Animal Surgery at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She received her veterinary degree from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Canada, and subsequently completed a rotating, equine internship at Arizona Equine Medical & Surgical Centre outside of Phoenix in Gilbert, Arizona. Following her residency in large animal surgery at Cornell University, she stayed on in the role of Clinical Instructor and completed Fellowship training in Minimally Invasive Surgery (large animal soft tissue).
Committee Member
DVM
intlvet@snu.ac.kr
Dr. Darren Sihn is the Chief of Surgery at Ilsan Animal Medical Center in South Korea. He earned his DVM from Chungbuk National University and completed a Master’s program and surgical training at Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Sihn is a founding member of the Korean Veterinary Minimally Invasive Surgery Society (KVMIS), scientific director of the Korean Veterinary Oncology Society (KVOS), and serves as a clinical advisor for multi-joint wristed laparoscopic instruments (Artisential). He has been actively involved in teaching thoracoscopy and laparoscopy courses and was awarded the Best Poster Prize at the Korean Society of Veterinary Clinical Medicine in 2025. His research interests include soft tissue, oncologic, and cardiac surgery, with a focus on innovation and the application of robotic systems in veterinary surgery.
Commitee Member
DVM, DACVS-SA
rwwilliams@ufl.edu
behind the scenes
past presidents
Nicole Buote DVM, DACVS
Associate Professor, Cornell University
Ameet Singh DVM, DVSc, DACVS
Professor, University of Guelph
J. Brad Case, DVM, MS, DACVS
Associate Professor, University of Florida
Phillip Mayhew, BVM&S, DACVS
Professor, University of California-Davis
JEFFREY RUNGE, DVM, DACVS
Guardian Veterinary Specialists, New York
Boel Fransson, DVM, PhD, DACVS
Associate Professor, Washington State University
Mary Ann Radlinksy, DVM, MS, DACVS
Associate Professor, University of Georgia
Lynetta Freeman, DVM, MS, DACVS
Associate Professor, Purdue University
Eric Monnet, DVM, PhD, DACVS
Professor, Colorado State University
FOUNDING PRESIDENTS
Eric Monnet, DVM, PhD, DACVS
Professor, Colorado State University
David Twedt, DVM, DACVIM
Professor, Colorado State University