Michael E. Newman, DVM, MS Dr. Newman is a graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University with a doctorate in veterinary medicine and a master’s degree in veterinary surgery. He also obtained a bachelor’s degree in Zoology from North Carolina State University.

Dr. Newman completed a two-year internship at Grady Veterinary Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio with mentoring by surgeons from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He also completed a residency in surgery at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, and became part of the Auburn faculty while completing his master’s degree and his surgical residency.

Dr. Newman is president of Veterinary Regional Referral Hospital, P.C. and as the lead surgeon he brings over 30 years of experience to the organization.
Kathleen B. Mullins, DVM, MS Dr. Mullins received her degree in veterinary medicine from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a one year small animal internship at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada followed by a small animal surgical residency at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

She joined Veterinary Regional Referral Hospital in August of 2010 as the hospitals second surgeon, and resides in rural Hartselle, Alabama with her husband Jason and host of farm animals including goats, chickens, horses, dogs and cats.
Jocelyn E. Richardson, DVM Dr. Richardson received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences from Auburn University in 1999.  She went on to pursue a Master’s of Science in Food and Animal Sciences from Alabama A&M University. In 2008 Dr. Richardson graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine where she was very active in multiple organizations.

Following graduation from Auburn, Dr. Richardson completed a one year Small Animal Rotating Internship in Memphis, Tennessee and then joined the emergency team at Veterinary Regional.
Stephanie Vaught-Helms, DVM Dr. Vaught was born in Selma, Alabama and raised in Tuscaloosa. She earned her pre-med degree from the University of Alabama then attended Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine where she graduated in 1999.

She describes herself as a dedicated gym rat who loves the simple country life with her husband Spence and their two cats and three dogs.

Dr. Vaught joined the emergency team of VRRH in 2010.
Andrew LaVasser, DVMDecatur is the home town of Dr. LaVasser.  He attended school at Julian Harris Elementary, Cedar Ridge Middle, and Austin High. In 2003 he received his BSBA in Management Information Systems while playing collegiate soccer at UAH. After graduating from UAH he worked for the Boy Scouts of America as a District Executive.  In 2007 he decided to follow his dream of becoming a veterinarian and in 2011 graduated from the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and joined VRRH as part of the emergency clinic team. Dr. LaVasser can be found around town at pickup games, doing photography, and participating in community activities with the family.
Johnathan Elliott, DVM Dr. Johnathan Elliott is a native of Natchez, Ms. He received his Bachelors in Science from Delta State University in 2005. He attended Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine finishing his degree in 2010. Following graduation, he worked as an associate veterinarian in a mixed animal practice in Cleveland, Ms. He joined the VRRH team as an emergency care doctor in May of 2011.

Dr. Elliott lives in Florence, Al on his family farm with his 2 dogs Ruby and Penny and his cat Roscoe. He enjoys being outdoors, exercising, cooking, and working on the farm.