Directory
Our Team consists of experienced emergency
veterinarians and interns who staff the service with assistance
from senior veterinary students and experienced technical
staff.
David Nelson, DVM - Director of
Emergency Services/Clinical Assistant Professor.
Dr. David Nelson is a Clinical
Associate Professor and the director of Emergency and Critical Care
services at the Small Animal Hospital. He received his bachelor's
degree at TAMU in 1976 and his DVM in 1978. Dr. Nelson spent the
majority of his career in private practice. He also trained at the
Texas Heart Institute and is qualified to operate a heart lung
machine in human surgery. He has enjoyed hospital appointments at
nine human hospitals and eleven veterinary hospitals. Dr. Nelson
joined the Small Animal Hospital in 2001. He has provided cardiac
surgery to dogs and worked actively in the development of cardiac
support devices as a scientist for the DeBakey Institute of
Comparative Cardiovascular Sciences and Biomedical Devices.
Dr. Nelson currently enjoys working with students, clients, pets,
faculty, staff, and residents in the emergency and surgery
departments.
James Barr, DVM, DACVECC - Clinical
Assistant Professor
Dr. Jimmy Barr is pleased to have
recently joined the faculty at Texas A&M University as a
Clinical Assistant Professor in Emergency and Critical Care.
He is originally from Winnfield, LA and attended Louisiana State
University. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1997 and
his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2001. After 3
years in private practice in Houston, TX at Westbury Animal
Hospital, he completed a rigorous residency program at the
world-renowned Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, MA in
2007. After his residency he begun practicing at
Florida Veterinary Specialists and received board certification as
a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Emergency and
Critical Care.
Dr. Barr enjoys all aspects of
emergency medicine and critical care with a special interests in
positive pressure ventilation, CPR, fluid therapy and transfusion
medicine. He is an active member of the College of Veterinary
Emergency and Critical Care holding membership on the Credentials
Committee.
Dorothy Black, DVM - Clinical
Assistant Professor
Stacy Eckman, DVM - Lecturer
Dr. Stacy Eckman is currently a
Lecturer in Small Animal Emergency Services in the Small Animal
Hospital. She graduated from Texas A&M College Of
Veterinary Medicine in 2001. She was an associate
veterinarian at a private practice in Corpus Christi after
graduation. In 2004, she bought and co-owned a hospital in
Corpus Christi and practiced there until 2009. In 2009, Dr.
Eckman returned to College Station to her present position.
She is actively involved in the 1VM mentoring program and is on the
Selections Committee for the College.
Dr. Eckman's professional interests
include emergency medicine, feline medicine, zoonotic disease and
whelping complications. In her free time, Dr. Eckman enjoys
spending time with her family, including her husband and two
children, gardening and reading.
Sarah Griffin, DVM -
Lecturer
Dr. Sarah Griffin received her
undergraduate degree from Baylor University in 2002 and Doctorate
of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University in 2007.
She worked in private practice in Conroe, TX before joining the
Texas A&M Small Animal Emergency team. She has a special
interest in cytology, feline medicine, and neurologic
emergencies. She provides emergency medical care to referral
and primary patients, works with senior veterinary students and
interns, and serves as an intermediary between clients, referring
veterinarians and specialty services.
Medora Pashmakova, DVM - Resident
Instructor
Dr. Medora Pashmakova is a resident
in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine at Texas
A&M University. She graduated in 2009
from Michigan State University's
College of Veterinary Medicine, after which she spent a year at
Texas A&M completing her internship in small animal medicine
and surgery. Her interest in small animal emergency medicine
began even before vet school, while working at a busy urban
emergency practice in New York City.
Dr. Pashmakova's academic interests
involve cardiac emergencies, acute abdominal emergencies and
sepsis. When asked if she prefers cats or dogs, her answer would be
"cats as pets, dogs as patients". In her little spare time, she
enjoys all forms out outdoor activities, swimming, and
chasing her cats (Telly and Baby Roo) and husband around the
house.
Brooke Smith,
DVM - Resident Instructor
Dr. Brooke Smith is currently a
resident in the Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care
Department. After graduating from TAMU College of Veterinary
Medicine in 2005, she completed a rotating small animal internship
at Michigan State University. From the fall of 2006 to 2010,
she was on staff as an ER clinician in the TAMU ER as well as
working at a private Emergency Clinic in Houston. While
on faculty at TAMU she served on the Selections Committee for the
college. She was also an advisor for the TAMU Pre-Vet Society
and Student Chapter of VECCS.
During her free time, Dr. Smith
enjoys all types of water sports with her husband Bill and their
two beautiful Labradors, Hunter and Skyler.
Supporting Roles
Due to the 24 hour nature of the ER and ICU, we have a host of
support staff that help ensure the safety and support of our
patients. Our service would be unable to function without the
help of our support staff. This includes:
- 23 full time veterinary technicians
- 27 part time technicians and support staff
Many of our technicians are Registered veterinary technicians
and/or have extensive training especially in the area of critical
care. They also contribute to the education of our veterinary
students and help teach continuing education courses throughout the
state.