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Dr. Jim C. Vulgamott received his DVM from the University of Missouri in 1977. He completed a one-year internship followed by a residency in small animal internal medicine at Texas A&M University. He became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1984. Dr. Vulgamott is one of the original founders of Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists and has been practicing referral internal medicine in Houston for the past 17 years.

Dr. R. Dennis Heald received his DVM from Auburn University in 1977. He was in private practice in Birmingham for 3 years, followed by a residency in small animal internal medicine at the University of Missouri. He was board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1985. He joined the clinical faculty at Oklahoma State University and was there for 4 years. Dr. Heald then joined Dr. Vulgamott at Gulf Coast Veterinary Internists in 1990.

Dr. Derek P. Burney received his DVM from Texas A&M University in 1991. He did a one-year internship at Auburn University followed by a residency in small animal internal medicine and PhD in molecular parasitology at Colorado State University. He was board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1995. In his spare time, Dr Burney enjoys spending time in family activities with his two children and has a real interest in military aviation. Dr. Burney joined Dr. Vulgamott and Dr. Heald at Gulf Coast Veterinary Internists in 1997.

Dr. Chris Jones received his DVM from Texas A&M University in 1990. He was in private practice in El Paso, Texas for 7 years before deciding to pursue a career in internal medicine. He did a one-year internship followed by a three-year residency in small animal internal medicine at the University of Georgia. He was board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2001. Dr. Jones joined Gulf Coast Veterinary Internists in 2001.

Dr. A. Melissa Garcia-Lacaze received her DVM from Texas A&M University in 1998. She did a one year emergency and critical care internship followed by a three year emergency and critical care residency at the Animal Emergency Center in Glendale, WI. She was board -certified by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2003.

Dr. Colleen Willms-Cook received her DVM degree in 1998 from the University Of Wisconsin College Of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, she completed a one-year rotating internship at Auburn University. Subsequently, she undertook a 3-year, ACVECC-approved residency with Drs. Rebecca Kirby and Elke Rudloff, two highly regarded and board certified veterinary criticalists. For the past 2 years Dr. Willms-Cook has worked at Alabama Veterinary Specialists as the director of the ICU and critical care service. She was board certified by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2005. Dr. Willms-Cook, her husband Rich and their pets Big-Un and Nutter Butter, joined the GCVI family in February,2005.

Dr. Carolyn V. Clarke received her DVM from St. George’s University in 2005 and performed her clinical year at University of Florida. After graduation she completed a one year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists in New York City. Dr. Clarke entered the three year residency program at Gulf Coast Veterinary Internists in July 2006. In her spare time, Dr. Clarke enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family and friends. She sees patients under the supervision of one of the staff clinicians.

Dr. Héctor J. Encarnación received his DVM from Tuskegee University in 2004. For the past 2 years Dr. Encarnación has worked at Florida Veterinary Specialists in Tampa where he completed a one-year small animal rotating internship and a second year internal medicine internship. In his spare time, he enjoys watching and practicing sports, movies and music. Dr. Encarnación entered Gulf Coast Veterinary Internist’s 3-year residency program in July, 2006. He sees patients under the supervision of one of the staff clinicians.

Dr. Nicola Wilson received her DVM from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan, Canada in 2006. After graduation, she completed a one year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Wilson entered the three year residency program at Gulf Coast Veterinary Internists in July 2007. In her spare time, Dr. Wilson enjoys travel, hiking, camping and spending time with her dog, Annie, and two cats, Sammi and Primo. She sees patients under the supervision of one of the staff specialists.

Dr. Amber C. McAlister received her DVM from Tufts University in 2006. After graduation she completed a one year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Georgia Veterinary Specialists in Atlanta, GA. She began the three year residency program at Gulf Coast Veterinary Internists in July 2007. Dr. McAlister enjoys camping, cooking, traveling, reading, and running. She sees patients under the supervision of one of the staff clinicians.

Dr. Mickila Tate received her DVM from Ross University in 2006 and completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. After graduation she completed a one year rotating internship, followed by a one year internal medicine specialty internship at the Animal Specialty Group in Los Angeles, California. She entered the three year residency program at Gulf Coast Veterinary Internists in July of 2008. In her spare time she enjoys running, attempting to cook and spending time with her two dogs Sydney and Rocco. She sees patients under the supervision of one of the staff clinicians

Dr. Kristi Stanley received her DVM from Auburn University in 2007. After graduation, she completed a one year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Veterinary Specialty Center of Indiana. Dr. Stanley entered the three year residency program at Gulf Coast Veterinary Internists in July 2008. In her spare time, Dr. Stanley enjoys playing volleyball, watching movies and spending time with her family including her dogs and cats! She sees patients under the supervision of one of the staff clinicians

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