PRESIDENT
Jamie has been in the veterinary field for the past 19 years. She received her RVT in 2009. Currently she works at a large day practice in Woodstock, Georgia. She has been there for 19 years. She also has worked relief over the years at several emergency clinics. Her interests are anesthesia, surgery and pain management. She is currently in the process of pursuing her Technician Specialty in Emergency and Critical Care. Jamie is married to Mark, her husband. They share their home their her son, 3 cats, a golden retriever and a gold fish.
Melinda Vongkunthong, BS RVT RALAT
WEBMASTER
Melinda received her Bachelor’s degree in Animal & Dairy Science at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. She has worked at the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital, a referral hospital in Atlanta and a day practice. She received her RVT in Georgia in 2009 and received her RALAT in 2010. Currently, Melinda works as a animal health technician at the USDA in Athens, Georgia. Melinda is married and has a house full; 3 kids, a dog and 2 cats.
Anna Santos, BS RVT
NAVTA STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Anna graduated from the University of Georgia in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. Shortly afterwards she began work at the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine’s Teaching Hospital. In 2003 Anna returned to school, at Athens Technical College, to future her education in veterinary science. In 2006 she graduated from the veterinary technology program with an Associate’s degree in Applied Technology. After graduation Anna continued to work with the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Through her many years of service for UGA Anna has worked in several areas of the teaching hospital including: small animal internal medicine, small animal surgery, neurology and small animal critical care. Currently, Anna splits her time working with critical care patients, supervising the teaching hospital’s animal blood bank and managing the small animal treatment crew. While Anna’s work concentrates mainly on small animal medicine she stays well rounded in large animal issues at home with 3 horses and several goats. Of course, there are also 2 barn cats and 3 dogs. Anna lives on a small farm in Athens, Ga. with her husband, Brian, and their son, Zeb.
Mailing Address
Georgia Veterinary Technician and Assistant Association
Georgia Veterinary Technician and Assistant Association
PO Box 80702 Athens GA 30608
Patti LeVan
TREASURER
Contact Us!!
Sherry Wanderlich, RVT
SECRETARY
Sherry graduated in 1988 with an Associates in Science from Moraine Valley Community College. I am a Registered Veterinary Technician. I work for the University of Georgia at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. I work fulltime in the Small Animal Intermediate Care Ward (IMC). I absolutely LOVE my profession and been in it for 29 amazing years!!! Proudly, I started out in the veterinary field as a kennel assistant and worked my way up to being an RVT. I have worked primarily in SA ECC/ICU/IMC and private practices in surgery. For a little variety, I had the wonderful opportunity to work in a SA and LA private practice in Pennsylvania and in Shelter/Rescue spay and neuter clinics. In the spay/neuter clinics I had a goal to help keep the overpopulation down which hopefully helped decrease the numbers of those euthanized. My background also includes being active with animal rescue work. Any spare time is usually spent with our menagerie of pets (we have a little farmette)- ranging from dogs, cats, birds, horses, pigs, goats, Sulcata tortoises, pet rats, guinea pigs, bunny and a bearded dragon which completes our family. I enjoy anything animal related (of course), horseback riding, canine agility competitions, Rally-Obedience, tennis (any sports really), scrapbooking, crafts and puzzles. What I believe in and try to do daily is to PAY IT FORWARD and treat others how I would like to be treated with kindness, respect and love.
Board Members
EDITOR
Dave is a Veterinary Technician, pianist, horse-owner, and (very) amateur dressage rider. He holds certifications from International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care, the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy, and the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute. He served for several years at the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Athens, GA in Anesthesia and Large Animal ICU, before pursuing his passion in end-of-life care. Dave is the Senior Technician at Main Street Vet in Madison, GA providing hospice and palliative care including euthanasia as well as education for clients staff and the community. He is also a sought after conference speaker and writer on end-of-life topics. Dave holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance and pedagogy, and performs solo recitals in public from time to time. He resides in Greensboro GA with his wife Jenny and their four horses, two dogs and six cats.
Jessica M. Sewell, BAS RVT
PAST PRESIDENT / VICE PRESIDENT
Jessica graduated from Gwinnett Technical College with her Associates in Veterinary Technology in 2003. In 2011, she earned her Bachelors in Veterinary Technology (Cum Laude) with a focus in hospital management from Florida's St. Petersburg College. Jessica has been a part of the VCA family since 2002. In addition to being a Hospital Manager, she is also one of VCA's Regional Technical Supervisors. Jessica took a leave in 2006 to work at Auburn University in Auburn, AL as an ICU Supervisor in the Small Animal Teaching Hospital. She has served as adjunct faculty at a local technical college for their Veterinary Technology Program and has been a speaker at various veterinary conferences and continuing education programs. Jessica currently serves on the executive board of the Georgia Veterinary Technician & Assistant Association (GVTAA) as their Vice President and is also a past Vice President and Editor. In addition, she is involved with the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society (VECCS), Greater Atlanta Veterinary Manager's Association (GAVMA), and Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA). Jessica's special interests include emergency and critical care, practice management, and public speaking and instruction.