Saturday Speakers
Minneapolis, MN
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January 28–31, 2026
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140+ CE Hours
Guillermo Arcega Castillo is a veterinarian who obtained his DVM degree in Mexico and a Master’s in Preventive Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis, where his research focused on tick-borne diseases in the Southwestern United States. His professional experience includes food safety work in Alaska, swine vaccine research in North Carolina, and managing a high-volume spay/neuter clinic in Arizona. He is currently a second-year resident in the Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine program at the University of Minnesota. His work spans public health, epidemiology, and statistical analysis. He is involved in projects on H5N1 in dairy herds, African swine fever research in the Caribbean, and the adaptation of a human outbreak timeliness framework to animal health in collaboration with Colombia. He is also leading a project evaluating the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of veterinarians regarding the reemergence of New World screwworm in Central America and southern Mexico.
Andrew Bean, DVM, MPH, CPH, DABVP is a board-certified specialist in exotic companion mammal practice and certified public health professional. Dr. Bean founded Minnesota’s first companion exotic animal specialty service and residency program at the Animal Emergency and Referral Center of Minnesota, and holds an appointment as Clinical Instructor in Veterinary Population Medicine at the University of Minnesota. He regularly instructs veterinarians and students on infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance in exotic pets. An active contributor to research and veterinary education, Dr. Bean has authored multiple book chapters and peer-reviewed articles and serves as a reviewer for several veterinary journals. He is an invited lecturer at national and regional conferences and brings expertise at the intersection of exotic pet medicine and public health to this year’s program.
Dr. Gabrielle Beckford is a first-year resident in the Veterinary Medicine and Public Health (VMPH) program at the University of Minnesota. She has a background in large animal medicine, academia, and research. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of the West Indies (UWI) in 2018, and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of Wolverhampton. Her professional interests include One Health, food animal medicine, public health data analysis, and strengthening connections between the veterinary and technology sectors. Outside of work, she enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, pickleball, and swimming.
Abby Brown has been an integral part of the lab instruction team at the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine for 20 years. In 2005, she earned her associate degree in veterinary technology, became a certified veterinary technician and began working for the U of MN. While working at the University of Minnesota, Abby earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and is now currently a candidate in the Master of Veterinary Education program through Lincoln Memorial University. Currently, in her role as an education program specialist, Abby serves in a supervisory role as well as a lab instruction role. Abby co-leads the Teaching Technician Team at the U of MN. This team supports all core courses with labs within the first three years of the DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) curriculum as well as specified rotations. Abby’s area of expertise is gross veterinary anatomy, and she also teaches clinical skills to the first and second year DVM students. She has numerous publicly available resources including journal publications, eBooks and YouTube videos.
Athena earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from North Dakota State University in 2004, and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Minnesota in 2011. It was during her time in graduate school, specifically during her Clinical Internship that her calling in Clinical Social Work presented itself. Athena had the pleasure of spending that school year as a Social Work Intern at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. As an Intern in the University’s Veterinary Social Services program, she learned from the founder of the program, and discovered her calling and passion for veterinary social work. Working with Veterinary Professionals and Clients of the VMC during that internship solidified that this was the population that she was meant to work with. That dream came true in October 2012, when she returned to the Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine. She had the absolute pleasure of spending 9 years in that role serving clients, clinicians and students. In that time her role changed and evolved, allowing her to hone her therapeutic approach with professional students, veterinary professionals and individuals and families struggling with the pain of saying goodbye to their furry family members. Growing the profession of Veterinary Social Work and creating a vast network of Veterinary Social Work Professionals is driving force for her professionally. This subset demands a knowledge base that not all Social Work Professionals have, and she wants to work with clinics and hospitals within Minnesota to determine if a VSW could serve their needs, and then assist in developing and recruiting for that position.
Sam Geiling, CVT (she/her) serves as the Vice President for Accreditation and Industry Services at Animal Policy Group, where she guides Deans and stakeholders as they build new veterinary schools and leads initiatives that support and strengthen the veterinary industry nationwide. Recognized for her leadership and commitment to advancing the profession, Sam was honored as the 2023 NAVTA Veterinary Technician of the Year. She is also the President-Elect of the Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians (MAVT), where she continues to advocate for technician growth and recognition. With a career rooted in collaboration and innovation, Sam works to elevate the role of veterinary technicians within the animal care landscape.
Bret Halishak has been in the veterinary industry for over 15 years and has worked with in practice management since the beginning. Being through the industry in multiple different roles, Bret has broadened his acumen to help practice owners and key staff members make crucial decisions to help impact the patients, clients, colleagues, and practice. Given his extensive background in change and practice management, Bret has the knowledge to assist practice owners with increasing their profitability while preparing to sell their practice in their preferred timeframe.
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David Kelling has his masters degree in business taxation from the University of Minnesota. David specializes in helping small business and veterinary practices navigate accounting and tax issues for over 30 years.
Dr. Kivisto graduated from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. He’s a Minnesota native, growing up on the Iron Range who made his way slowly to the Twin Cities after a brief four year stop at the University of Minnesota, Duluth for his undergraduate work. Outside of a three-year stint in academia he has spent most of his career working as a practicing veterinarian in various small animal clinics in Minnesota. He currently oversees the companion animal branch of the Board.
Carrie is a senior epidemiologist in the Zoonotic Diseases Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health. She is the rabies surveillance coordinator for Minnesota and also runs several projects related to zoonotic disease prevention, outreach, and education for agricultural workers, their families, and others exposed to agricultural settings.
Allyson Krause is a certified retirement plan professional (CRPP™) and the managing director for retirement plan services at Trust Point, Inc. She oversees Trust Point’s employer-based retirement plan services department, including issues concerning 401(k) education, technology, and investment options. Allyson takes great pride in providing businesses retirement plan solutions that enhance owners’ and employees’ financial well-being and help prepare them for their financial future.
Dr. Lukasik is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia and has spent a majority of her career providing clinical anesthesia care for high risk patients through her mobile private practice Southwest Veterinary Anesthesiology. She is also a Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine and continues to attend high risk anesthetic patients on a daily basis. After finishing her anesthesia residency, Dr. Lukasik completed fellowship training in cardiothoracic anesthesia at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. She is involved in total artificial heart and left ventricular assist device research and participates in training MD surgical teams learning to implant and operate these devices. She is a nationally and internationally recognized speaker and has been presented with several professional awards, including one for compassion.
Jon Marquet is a lawyer (JD), certified exit planning advisor (CEPA®), and the retirement plan consultant at Trust Point Inc. He counsels clients and prospective clients concerning a variety of personal and business wealth management issues, including wealth management issues through and after the transition or sale of a business. Jon advocates for Trust Point’s full suite of wealth management services, while also developing essential, sustainable relationships with business owners and other community members. Jon believes in the realistic and achievable opportunity that proper wealth management offers for achieving long-term financial independence and infuses his passion into his work.
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.
Brief bio:
Sarah Neuser is a Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine Resident at the University of Minnesota in the Center for Animal Health and Food Safety. A former President of the National Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA), she has championed student advocacy, veterinary policy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Before beginning her residency, she held multiple leadership roles at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, including Medical Director and Interim Chief Programs Officer, where she oversaw animal care and organizational initiatives. Her professional interests include accessible veterinary care, global public health, and leadership development within the veterinary profession. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, warm yoga, lake life, and spending time with her family, pets, and friends.
Dr. Jason Pieper is a board certified veterinary dermatologist currently working at Iowa State University
as a tenured Associate Professor for Dermatology at Iowa State University College of Veterinary
Medicine, where he graduated veterinary school in 2009. He completed a dermatology residency at the
University of Illinois and became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology while
also completing his master’s degree. His areas of interest in veterinary dermatology include atopic
dermatitis, otitis, antimicrobial resistance, platelet rich plasma, dermoscopy and CO2 laser.
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Nicole has been working as a licensed veterinary technician for over 17 years. Her clinical experience ranges from working in a small general practice, to working in a university setting with multiple anesthesiologists, and finally moving to multi-specialty and emergency practices. She obtained her VTS in Anesthesia and Analgesia in 2018. She is currently working as a Group Manager at Ethos Veterinary Health. She is an active academy member of the AVTAA, NAVAS, and OVTAA and is currently serving as Chair of the AVTAA Exam Committee and President-Elect of the AVTAA. She has always had a special interest in teaching other technicians and students and is currently working on providing CE to members of the veterinary community on a local and national level. She is a slightly obsessed cat mom to her one and only Bennie, and in her free time she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her husband, Chris.
Dr. Amanda R. Taylor received her DVM from the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences. She completed an internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at Colorado State University and a residency in Neurology and Neurosurgery at Texas A&M University. Dr. Taylor is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology). Dr. Taylor is certified in Neurosurgery by the ACVIM, acupuncture by the Chi Institute, and canine rehabilitation by the University of Tennessee. Her research interests include MRI and neurosurgery. She is currently a neurologist/neurosurgeon and the Director of Education and Wellness at Southeast Veterinary Neurology.
Dr. Wilkins is an Associate Professor in the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota. Her primary roles include instruction and leading the Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency Program. Current research interests include honey bee diseases and she is a novice beekeeper. She received her DVM from Michigan State University, her MPH from University of Illinois-Springfield, and her PhD in Large Animal Clinical Sciences (focus in Epidemiology) from MSU. Dr. Wilkins worked for Michigan Department of Ag, USDA, the CDC, and Michigan Department of Community Health prior to starting her academic career at MSU (2011) and now at UMN in 2022.
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.