Meet the Surgery Team

Kristen Behrens, DVM

EDUCATION
Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, DVM, 2021

SPECIALTY TRAINING
Angell Animal Medical Center, Surgery Resident, 2023-2026
VCA Animal Specialty and Emergency Center Specialty Internship, 2022-2023
Angell Animal Medical Center, ECC Speciality Internship, 2021-2022

Sue A. Casale DVM, DACVS-SA

Dr. Casale is a board-certified veterinary surgeon specializing in both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. She performs both the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO certified in 2002) and tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) for cranial cruciate ligament ruptures. She is certified to harvest and deliver canine and feline adult stem cells which are used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, ligament and bone injuries.  Her interests include minimally invasive abdominal procedures, thoracic surgery and fracture repair and she actively participates in the training of our surgical residents.

EDUCATION
Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, DVM, 2000
St. Lawrence University, BS, 1989

SPECIALTY TRAINING
Tufts University and Angell Animal Medical Center-Boston, Residency in Small Animal Surgery, 2001-2004
Angell Animal Medical Center-Boston, Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, 2000-2001

CERTIFICATION
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, 2009

Caroline Choi, DVM

EDUCATION
Oklahoma State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, PAVE, 2019
Kangwon National University School of Veterinary Medicine, DVM, 2018

SPECIALTY TRAINING
Angell Animal Medical Center, Surgery Residency, 2021-2024
VCA Animal Specialty Group, Los Angeles, Surgery Internship, 2020-2021
VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, Rotating Internship, 2019-2020

Megan Cray, VMD, DACVS-SA

EDUCATION
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, 2015

SPECIALTY TRAINING
Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Surgical Oncology Fellowship, 2022
Angell Animal Medical Center, Surgery Residency, 2021
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Surgical Oncology Internship, 2018
Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center, Surgical Internship, 2017
Animal Medical Center (New York, NY), Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Rotating Internship, 2016

CERTIFICATION
American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Small Animal (ACVS)

Kathryn Heidgerd, VMD

EDUCATION
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, VMD, 2020

SPECIALTY TRAINING
Angell Animal Medical Center, Surgery Residency, 2022-2025
Angell Animal Medical Center, Surgery Internship, 2021-2022
Oradell Animal Hospital, Small Animal Rotating Internship, 2020-2021

Michael M. Pavletic DVM, DACVS-SA, Director, Surgical Services

Dr. Pavletic is a board-certified veterinary surgeon and director of surgical services. He was a surgical instructor and professor of surgery at Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and professor and head of small animal surgery at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine before assuming the surgery directorship at Angell. He specializes in soft tissue surgery and is a leading authority in the subspecialty area of small animal plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Pavletic has developed many of the reconstructive surgery techniques currently used in small animal surgery.

Dr. Pavletic is a national and international speaker in the field of reconstructive surgery and is the author of the Atlas of Small Animal Wound Management and Reconstructive Surgery, 3rd ed. Published in 2010 by Wiley-Blackwell.

EDUCATION
University of Illinois, DVM, 1974
University of Illinois, BS, 1972

SPECIALTY TRAINING
Angell Animal Medical Center-Boston, Residency in Surgery, 1975-1977
Angell Animal Medical Center-Boston, Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, 1974-1975

CERTIFICATION
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, 1981

Jennifer Peterson-Levitt, DVM, DACVS-SA

Dr. Peterson completed her residency in small animal surgery and performs soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. Her interests include minimally invasive procedures, fracture repair, and emergency surgeries.

EDUCATION
St. George’s University, DVM, 2018
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, BS, 2014

SPECIALTY TRAINING
University of Missouri, Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, 2018-2019
Purdue University, Residency in Small Animal Surgery, 2019-2022

Katherine (Violet) Rettmer, DVM

EDUCATION
Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, DVM, 2022

SPECIALTY TRAINING
Angell Animal Medical Center, Surgery Specialty Internship, 2023-2024
Mississippi State University, Rotating Internship, 2022-2023

Nicholas J. Trout MA, VET MB, DACVS-SA, ECVS

Dr. Trout is a board-certified veterinary surgeon at Angell specializing in both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. His work includes tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO), hip replacement and arthroscopic surgical procedures.

EDUCATION
University of Cambridge, England, MA, 1990
University of Cambridge, England, Vet MB, 1989

SPECIALTY TRAINING
Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and Angell Animal Medical Center-Boston, Residency in Small Animal Surgery, 1991-1994
University of Liverpool, England, House Officer, 1989-1991

CERTIFICATION
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, 1995
Diplomate, European College of Veterinary Surgeons, 1995
Member, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 1989

Kelly Citro, Surgery Attendant

Kelly was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. She and her husband share their home with two cats, Kiba and Azriel, and a rescued rat terrier mix named Henry. Kelly enjoys spending time with family and friends and loves collecting Halloween decorations and comic books. She has said that if she ever wins the lottery she would open an animal sanctuary.

Miranda Costa, CVT, Surgery Technician

Miranda graduated from Mount Ida College in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology. After graduating, she passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam and became a CVT. During her fourth year of college, she gained experience interning at The Canine Joint, New England Animal Medical Center, Animotion, Veterinary Neurology and Pain Management Center of New England, Angell (Dermatology), and Angell (Avian & Exotics). She particularly enjoyed her time spent at Angell and it made her want to work here.

Jessica Creighton, Clinical Surgery Assistant

Jessica graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal science from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2016. She has always loved working with animals and after working as a dog bather for the last few years and is very excited to start her new career at Angell as a clinical surgery assistant. When not working she loves to spend time hiking with her dogs, Titan and Marley, as well as hang out with family and friends.

Adam Fontaine, CVT, Surgery and Anesthesia Department Supervisor

Adam graduated from Merrimack College with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2012. After graduating he began working at Angell in the CCU department before transferring to surgery.  Since moving to the surgery department, and becoming certified in 2014, he has had the opportunity to work first as a surgery technician, then as a anesthesia technician, prior to becoming the anesthesia and surgery department supervisor. When he’s not at work, he enjoys camping, travelling, football, baseball, and most sports-related activities. He also enjoys hanging out at home with family and his two pets, dog Keeley and cat Toby.

Kristen Hopkins, CVT, Surgery Technician

Kristen first came to Angell as an extern in the spring of 2012. After graduating with an A.S. in veterinary technology from the University of Maine at Augusta in May of 2012, she joined Angell’s surgery team full-time. She became a Certified Veterinary Technician in August 2012, and plans to pursue a specialty certification in surgery. Prior to working at Angell, Kristen worked part-time at two different small practices in Maine. She also holds a B.A. in journalism and worked as a writer for several years before making the switch to veterinary medicine. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys cooking, drawing, painting and spending time with her dog, Chico.

Lisa Kelly, CVT, Lead Surgery Technician

Lisa graduated from Vermont Technical College with an Associates of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology.  She has been a certified technician since 2003.  After spending time at a small animal and equine practice in Vermont she moved home to the Boston area and has been working for the MSPCA/Angell for the last 20 years. Lisa has spent time working in many areas of the hospital and organization including nursing and CCU, Internal Medicine, Angell Nantucket and the Clinic/triage team.  When not at work she looks forward to traveling and spending time with family, friends and her crazy Australian cattle dog, Blue!

Jez Magarinos, RVN, CVT, VTS (Anesthesia/Analgesia), Anesthesia, Surgery, and Dentistry Department Manager

Jez has worked in the veterinary field since leaving higher education in England. There, he held the role of head nurse, managing a small animal practice and then as a veterinary standards and training officer, travelling the country auditing and training technicians and doctors. He came to Boston in 2001 and has worked for Angell- Boston since 2002 in a variety of roles from supervisor to lead anesthesia technician and now as the manager of the surgery, anesthesia and dentistry departments. He is a registered veterinary nurse (RVN) in England and has achieved his veterinary technician specialist (VTS) in anesthesia/analgesia. When not at work, Jez runs a B&B, volunteers in and around Boston, likes to travel and spend time with friends and family. Winston, his cat, is very affectionate.

Darnell McMillan, Surgery Scheduling Coordinator

Darnell started working at Angell in 1985 just out of high school. She worked in the wards as an attendant for 8 months before becoming a nurse in the wards / CCU unit. Darnell worked there for 5 years before moving to the surgery department where she currently works as the Surgery Scheduling Coordinator.  When she is not working she likes to spend time with her daughter, 2 cats and dog, traveling, and going to the beach.

Kelsey Moriarty, CVT, Clinical Surgical Technician

Kelsey works as a clinical surgery assistant for the staff surgeons. She went to school at Rutgers University and graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Animal science/Pre-veterinary Medicine. She had originally planned to continue on to vet school but after working here as a technician her plans quickly changed because she enjoyed the nursing position so much! Kelsey loves being able to comfort our patients, sympathize and ease owners concerns, and learn new things each day in how far we have come in veterinary medicine. She is currently working to become a CVT in the spring and hope to gain more knowledge of the technical side of veterinary care. On her days off she spends most of my time taking care of my Pit Bull Zeke who loves to snuggle and play with his toys!

Barbara Nee, Surgery Technician

Barbara joined Angell over 20 years ago. Prior to coming to the MSPCA-Angell she worked for 12 years at the Jobst institute, measuring and fitting burn patients for burn scar garments. She was also employed by the urology department at Brigham and Woman’s hospital. Barbara earned a degree from the New England Institute of Anatomy Sanitary Science and Funeral Services.

Todd Daniels, Client Care Coordinator, Surgery

Todd began working at Angell in December of 2011 after working for over eleven years as a manager and diving instructor at a scuba diving store. Todd began his work with us as a Primary Care Attendant, he then moved on to work as a Critical Care Unit Attendant and an Inpatient Assistant before taking his current role in June of 2016. Todd joined the Client Care Coordinator team to work with the Surgery, Oncology, and General Medicine services.  In his spare time, Todd still enjoys scuba diving and teaching new diving students.  He also enjoys spending time with his two “kids,” a Black Lab named Jack and a Bassett Hound named Sarge.  Todd is a hopeless television-aholic and does not plan to seek treatment.

Jessica Morgan, Client Care Coordinator, Surgery

Jess began working at Angell in Sept. 2016 at Angell West. In March 2018 she moved on to join the Client Care Coordinator Team in Jamaica Plain to assist the surgery department. She hopes to pursue additional schooling to get her CVT. She has a background in canine behavior and enjoys working with her dog, Karma, in her spare time. She also has a cat named Stella who will come up and cuddle with just about anyone as well as two Leopard Geckos named Drogon and Rhaegal.

Kimberly Swank, Surgery Secretary

Kimberly started working at Angell in July 1991 after a patron at a local restaurant in J.P. suggested that she apply for a position. She started working 15 hours a week at the front desk and moved to a full time position shortly after. She worked her way from the front desk to the emergency and appointment desk, and occasionally filled in as the cashier and switchboard operator when needed. She has been in her current role as the Surgery Secretary since February of 2005. Kim lives in Bristol County with her husband and two cats, Monkey and Mitzy, and enjoys taking the cats out for leash walks in their back yard, taking long drives to unfamiliar or familiar places like Maine, Rhode Island or PA and also enjoys spending time with family.