Friday Speakers
Minneapolis, MN
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January 28–31, 2026
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140+ CE Hours
Rafael graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of São Paulo. He received an MS degree in Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology and a PhD degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Florida, both with focus on dairy cattle reproduction. Rafael worked as a post-doctoral associate at Cornell University on research related to changes in milk microbiome during clinical mastitis and virulence factors associated with uterine diseases in dairy cows. He is an Associate Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine and a member of the Food Animal Reproduction and Medicine Service at the University of Florida. His teaching and research programs focus on understanding the mechanisms that control fertility in cattle and developing strategies to increase reproductive efficiency in dairy herds.
Sarah F. Colmer, VMD, DACVIM, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2017 and completed internships at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in New Jersey and Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center prior to becoming board-certified in Large Animal Internal Medicine at New Bolton Center in 2022. She is currently a Fellow in Neurology at Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center and Matthew J. Ryan Hospitals. Sarah has passions for clinical cases, teaching and research alike. In 2023, Sarah was the recipient of the graduating veterinary class’s Best Lecturer and Best New Bolton Center Instructor awards and recently received the 2023 and 2024 William B. Boucher Awards for Outstanding Teaching at New Bolton Center. In her spare time, she enjoys running, hiking, her Peloton and spending time exploring Philadelphia with her husband, Matt and their dog, Nova.
Shana Filipek, CVT, VTS (EVN) graduated from Globe University and became a licensed veterinary technician in 2011. She started working at the University of Minnesota Large Animal Veterinary Medical Center that year and worked primarily after-hours doing patient treatments and triaging emergencies. After 3yrs as an after-hours technician, she moved to a day shift working on the surgery and lameness team in 2014. For the past 9yrs, Shana has been the lead technician on this 3-technician team. As a surgery and lameness technician, her job responsibilities range from medication administration, catheter placement and fluid therapy and jogging lameness cases to obtaining advanced imaging such as radiographs, CT and MRI. In addition, Shana is primarily responsible for preparing surgery patients and assisting in surgeries. Shana went on to obtain a veterinary technician specialty in Equine Veterinary Nursing in 2015. Her advanced knowledge and skills are utilized every day and have benefited every aspect of her career in equine medicine. She now serves on the board of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians and mentors new specialty applicants. Her greatest interests outside of large animal surgery are emergency medicine and hippotherapy. Shana has also co-edited a few textbooks for Elsevier: Mosby’s Comprehensive Review for Veterinary Technicians, 5th and 6th edition and Large Animal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians, 2nd edition. In addition, she created and currently instructs two interactive courses
Dr. Laura Greene graduated with her DVM from NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, completed a rotating small animal internship at the University of Georgia, and then returned to NC State for her residency in small animal internal medicine. She is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and spent several years in specialty private practice before joining Merck Animal Health as a Senior Professional Services Veterinarian and member of the Veterinary Insights and Medical Affairs department. She is published in multiple journals including JAVMA and the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, has spoken both nationally and internationally on topics including infectious disease, immunology, endocrinology, and oncology, and regularly presents continuing education to veterinarians around the country. In her free time, she enjoys watercolor painting, digital art, and spending time with her family and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Primrose and Waggles.
After working in both small and mixed animal practices, Kim Horne spent most of her career at the University of Minnesota, Veterinary Medical Center where she found her passion in dermatology. She is one of the Co-Founders of the Academy of Dermatology Veterinary Technicians (ADVT) and is a co-editor of the book Small Animal Dermatology for Technicians and Nurses. Although Kim is now retired, she is still very active in her state and national vet tech associations with recent work focusing on the licensure of veterinary technicians initiative.
Dr. Charlotte Lacroix owns Veterinary Business Advisors, Inc., a national consulting firm advising on veterinary business and legal issues. Beginning her career as an equine veterinarian, she transitioned to law to advocate for veterinarians. With over 20 years of experience assisting veterinarians in all areas, her expertise is companion and large animal and
multi-specialty practices. Dr. Lacroix lectures extensively at conferences and veterinary schools on business and legal issues, and facilitates continuing education seminars nationwide. Topics include succession planning, practices sales, employment and other contract negotiations, malpractice, medical records/informed consents, ethics, animal welfare, drugs and biologics, and human resources. Dr. Lacroix volunteers for organizations including AVMA, AAHA, AAEP, NJVMA and PVMA. She was the 2014-2015 President of NAVC,and is currently board member with the Veterinary Virtual Care Association.
Dr. Lundberg currently practices at North Shore Veterinary Hospital in Duluth, MN. She graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. During her last rotation on clinics in veterinary school, she realized she wanted to become an oncologist to help pets with cancer and their families so she then pursued specialty training. She completed a one-year small animal medicine and surgery rotating internship at Iowa State University and following that she began her 3-year residency in Medical Oncology at the University of Illinois which was completed in 2016. During that time, she developed a deep interest in research as well as in student teaching and resident training. She stayed at the University of Illinois as a Clinical Assistant Professor until 2023 when she was compelled to move home to provide a much-needed specialty service to the Duluth/Superior region and surrounding area.
Dr. Laurie McCauley is a pioneer in Veterinary Rehabilitation with a passion for optimizing pet health. A graduate of Colorado State School of Veterinary Medicine, she spent six years in general practice before opening the first Veterinary Rehabilitation Clinic and designing the first underwater treadmill for dogs. She served on faculty at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute for 14 years, teaching thousands of veterinary professionals. Dr. McCauley is Board Certified in Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and certified in Acupuncture and Chiropractic therapies. An international lecturer and author, she has received prestigious awards, including the Iams AARV Award of Excellence and AHVMA Holistic Practitioner of the Year Award. She owns Red Tail Rehab, a mobile practice, and Optimum Pet Vitality, an educational platform for professionals and pet parents.
Dr. Nell Ostermeier grew up in rural Illinois and earned her veterinary degree from the University of Illinois in 2004. Certified in acupuncture through IVAS since 2011, she owned and operated a busy integrative veterinary hospital for over a decade before shifting to a mobile holistic practice. Today, her main focus is providing practical, real-world education for acupuncture veterinarians through the Every Day Acu Veterinary Community—the largest and most engaged online network of its kind. She also leads small-group Mastermind experiences that help acu vets elevate their skills, all while enjoying travel and time with her husband and pets.
Dr. Ashley Propst is an Illinois native that now resides in southwestern Minnesota. Ashley received her bachelor’s in animal science from Iowa State University and her DVM from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She was a mixed animal practitioner in private practice for 3 years, and then a small animal only practitioner for the next 4 years. Dr. Ashley Propst is grateful that she is now the North Central Region Representative for Christian Veterinary Mission.
Dr. Young earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1996 and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2000, both at Colorado State University. He completed an equine ambulatory internship followed by a lecturer position, also at Colorado State University. He then completed a residency in diagnostic imaging and a Master of Science degree at The Ohio State University in 2006. His board certification in diagnostic imaging was achieved the same year. Dr. Young joined the faculty at Texas A&M University and subsequently served as the section chief of radiology from 2009 through 2013. Dr. Young has been a staff radiologist at VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver since 2014. In addition to clinical radiology, he has authored or co-authored more than 30 publications, the majority of which involve MRI or CT of brain and spinal disease in dogs. He has been active in the American College of Veterinary Radiology.