Meet Our Staff
Veterinarians
Celeste Baker, DVMDr. Baker received her undergraduate degree from Presbyterian College and her D.V.M. from the University of Georgia. She maintains a keen interest in orthopedic medicine. Her family includes her husband, Chip, and their two children. Coaching and playing soccer are her favorite hobbies. Her other 'kids' include a Jack Russell (Pele), a miniature Dachschund (Pita), two Labrador Retrievers (Tank & Chloe), four cats (Jigsaw, Thomas, Gus, & Cookie), and one horse (Jazz). Lynda Bacon, DVM
Dr. Bacon attended Berry College and graduated from The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. She is a native of Madison, Georgia and has been practicing in Gwinnett since 1993. She has several areas of special interest, including management of chronic pain. She lives in Suwanee with her husband and two children, along with a lab named Athena, a pug named Persia, a cat named Archie, and various fish. Her hobbies include cooking, gardening, and running. Jay Hancock, DVM
Dr. Hancock received his bachelor's degree in Animal Science and his D.V.M. both from the University of Georgia in Athens. He has an interest in surgery and neurology. Outside of work, he enjoys playing golf and going fishing. Currently he has two Jack Russell terriers (Nike and Jill) and a hunting dog named Buddy. Josh Bentley, DVM
Born in east Tennessee, Dr. Bentley lived in a rural area outside of Knoxville. He attended high school at Knoxville Catholic High School where he played football and baseball. He received a Bachelor's of Science from the University of Tennessee, and continued his education in Knoxville at UT's College of Veterinary Medicine, where he graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Bentley moved to Georgia with his best friend of 8 years, Belvedere (Great Dane). Since then, he has acquired two new buddies: Hound Dog (Hound-Labrador mix) and Gigi (Pot-belly pig-Pit bull mix). He joined Eastside Animal Medical Center as an emergency clinician after his initial position practicing small and large animal medicine in northeast Georgia. He enjoys sports and outdoor activities, and his buddies love to join him on any outdoor adventures (but equally love lounging on the couch). Juliette Van Galder, DVM
Dr. Van Galder is originally from Pelion, SC, where she grew up on a farm with her mom, dad, and twin sister. She attended Coker College in Hartsville, SC for her undergraduate studies, then at The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, where she received her doctorate of veterinary medicine. She has worked with both equine, small ruminants, and small animals. Her interests include emergency medicine, transfusion medicine, internal medicine, and emergency surgery. She just recently moved back to the Atlanta area from Charleston, SC, where she had worked in emergency medicine as well at Veterinary Specialty Care. Dr. Van Galder is married to her wonderful husband, Jason, and has a new baby girl at home as of this past October 2012. She also has her 4-legged babies, Turk, Goose, and Belle at home. Dr. Van Galder is happy to be back in the Atlanta area and is looking forward to working again with the staff at Eastside Animal Medical Center. Clay Phillips, DVM
Dr. Phillips received his Biology Degree and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia. His main veterinary interests are anything emergency related and he is generally seen during our overnight shifts. Outside of work, staying physically active and following anything UGA related are his main interests. He currently has 2 cats, Chloe and Carolina, and is looking for his next dog. Saskia Houghton, DVM
Born in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Houghton grew up enjoying year-round flip-flops and sunshine. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design from Florida State University. After working as a designer for a few years, she decided to return to school and seek a degree in veterinary medicine from St. Matthew's University School of Veterinary Medicine on Grand Cayman. She completed her clinical year with the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. Shortly after completing her degree, Dr. Houghton moved to Grayson, Georgia, where she happily joined the Eastside Animal Medical Center team and now works a mix of both small animal general practice and emergency medicine. She has a strong background in shelter medicine and enjoys developing new client relationships. Dr. Houghton has a 17 year-old orange tabby cat named Scarlett (AKA Miss Kitty) who hails from Tallahassee, and a 2 year-old hound mix named Ari who was adopted in Grand Cayman. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, walking Ari at Tribble Mill Park, and spending time with friends.
Veterinary Technicians
Allison Calder, RVTAllison has been a Registered Veterinary Technician at Eastside Animal Medical Center since 2002. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine. You will find her assisting with patient exams, in surgery, or in the treatment area. She lives in Loganville with her husband, two children, and three cats. Stefany Carson, RVT
Stefany is a registered veterinary technician and graduated from Gwinnett Technical College in 2001. Since her graduation, she has obtained her license as a RVT and a CVT. She has worked in ophthalmology, general, and emergency practices. Her home is run by Mavrik the dachshund, Millie the chihuahua, and Mattie the cat. Jessica Mitchell, RVT
Jessica has been a Registered Veterinary Technician at Eastside since 2006. She received her degree in Veterinary Technology from Gwinnett Technical College in 2006. Jessica has been married to her husband, Chase, since 2010 and they have two dogs and four cats. She enjoys spending her free time with family, being involved in her local church, and traveling. Brooke Hardy, RVT
Hannah Beck Barton, RVT
Hannah has been a licensed technician since June of 2011, and began working full time as an Emergency Technician here at Eastside Animal Medical Center since April of 2012. She is a newlywed, with three canine children, Bella, Vinny, and Choo Choo. Bella is a red and black longhaired dachshund and is the oldest. Vinny is a hound/dachshund mix that was a rescue along with Choo Choo, a basenji/Chihuahua mix. She enjoys spending her spare time with family and friends. She says the best thing about being at Eastside is being able to do something that she has always loved with a passion, and sharing that passion with the patients that come in. Brad Rollins, RVT
Brad has been employed at Eastside Animal Medical Center since October of 2002. He is a graduate of Reinhardt College with an Associate's degree in science. He has been working in the veterinary field since 1995. He has three cats (Heather, Austin, and Cena), and a dog Carmen. He enjoys reading, writing, drawing and watching wildlife outdoors. Carly Creek, RVT
Carly graduated from Gwinnett Technical College in 2005 and has maintained her license as a Registered Veterinary Technician. After five years of working in general practice, she went into specialty work at the University of Georgia as the Ophthalmology Technician. Since then she has joined the team at Eastside to pursue emergency medicine and critical care nursing. Carly is married to her husband, John, and they have two children who keep them very busy! They have one dog, Brynx, who is an American pit bull terrier, and also a member of the family.
Veterinary Assistants
Samantha KnightSamantha is a mother of two beautiful boys, Jensen and Jaron. In addition to working at Eastside Animal Medical Center, she is also a full-time Property Manager. Samantha enjoys reading, crafts, and outdoor activities. Alexandra DiTomaso
Alex has been working as a veterinary assistant since April 2008. She has always loved animals and currently lives on a horse farm where she rides and trains horses. She she loves to compete with her horse, Caracondo, and go on relaxing trail rides with her mom. She is currently attending Georgia Gwinnett College to pursue a degree in either Veterinary Medicine or as a Physician's Assistant. She has three cavaliers named Samson, Summer, and Lily. Whitney Elliot
Whitney has been working as a vet assistant since September '08 and with Eastside Animal Medical Center since July '11. She received her Associate's Degree in Psychology from Georgia Perimeter College and really enjoys working with both animals and people. She has a son named Jake who rules the house with two dogs (Zoe and Kilo), three cats (Sassy, Sydney, and Levi), a bearded dragon (Mirage), and a fish. Ashley Griffin
Ashley has been working at Eastside Animal Medical Center since August 2012. She is currently studying pre-vet at North Georgia College and State University and hopes to transfer to UGA to attend vet school. In her spare time, Ashley loves going to concerts, reading, and playing soccer. She has three Siberian huskies (Koda, Max 1, and Max 2), four cats (Gizmo, Cosmo, Blaze, and Lilly) and a turtle (Crush). Jessica Fisher
Jessica has been a full-time emergency veterinary assistant at Eastside Animal Medical Center since May of 2012. She has always loved animals and loves working with them. Her passion is emergency medicine. Jessica has been working in the veterinary field since 2006. She and her boyfriend, David, have seven animals, all of which have been rescued. She has 2 dogs, Jack Daniels and Whiskey, and 5 cats, Dusty (Fluffa), Lieutenant Dan, Squeakers Chik-fil-a, Mose Duodenum, and Kahlua. She is pursuing a program at Gwinnett Techincal College for Dental Assisting. Once she earns a degree in Dental Assisting, she plans to return for a Bachelor's of Biology. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and working on their house. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends. Havalyn Foley
Havalyn has been working at Eastside Animal Medical Center since August of 2010. She is a full time student at Georgia State University and is studying Psychology. In her spare time, Havalyn enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, Matt, 7 cats, 4 birds, and lab mix Hayley. She hopes to continue working at Eastside, and as a zookeeper or exotic animal trainer after graduating from Georgia State. Cyrena Wamsley
Receptionists
Lori DavisLori is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and graduated from Michigan State University. Lori also has a degree in human Health and Nutrition. Lori and her husband, Garland, reside in Loganville, along with three cats: Simon Pete, Lucy and Mia, two dogs: Ruby and River (Australian Shepherds), and Andie, the Orange-Winged Amazon parrot. Lori began working at Eastside Animal Medical Center in March 2008 and currently works as a receptionist and a Veterinary Technician in both the day and emergency practice. Her favorite hobbies are working with animals, especially dog training, and driving through the mountains with the top down! Kasie Ingram
Kasie is a stay at home mom who works part-time on the emergency staff. She has been part of the team since September 2006. Kasie and her husband reside in Winder with their two children and two boston terriers. Kasie loves animals of all kinds and enjoys helping them in times of need. Most of all, she loves being part of Eastside Animal Medical Center. Melanie Richardson
Melanie was formerly a client who joined our staff as an emergency receptionist in May of 2007. Previously a "people" nurse, she now helps out with patients of the four-legged variety. She has two Yorkshire terriers (T-Bone and Lily-Mae), a mixed breed (Samson), two polydactyl kitties (Berkley and Fergus), and a rescue kitten, Mason-Riley. Her three sons names are Brandon, Stephen, and Josh. Carra Hand
Carra is a part-time receptionist at Eastside, full-time student at Brenau University, and full-time mom. In her free time, she enjoys trail running, traveling, and spending time with friends and family, including husband, Jason, and son, Peyton. Katie Hawkins
Office Staff
June MorrisonJune has been an environmentalist and animal advocate her whole life. She graduated from GA State University with a Bachelor of Science and is a member of Greater Atlanta Veterinary Managers Association. June loves her job, happy clients, purring kitties, and wagging tails!
