M. Wayne Ayers, DVM is a Senior Technical Consultant for Elanco Animal Health on the Beef Team, supporting products, sales reps, veterinarians, and producers in the western sales district and beyond from Wilder, Idaho. He received his BS and DVM from Washington State University and brings extensive expertise from private practice and academia, including a tenure as an Assistant Professor at the University of Idaho. While at the U of I he taught 4th year vet students production medicine in the field, practical nutrition, and advanced reproductive technologies. He also conducted research on Johne’s disease in sheep and goats, presenting his research internationally. In his current role, he serves as a strategic technical partner to Elanco’s customers in the implementation of best-practice strategies for parasiticides and insecticides. Internally, he is a key collaborator for R&D and marketing teams, ensuring field-level insights drive product development and aftermarket research.
Chris Chase is an emeritus professor of veterinary and biomedical science at South Dakota State University. He did his pre-veterinary medicine at SDSU. He received his DVM from Iowa State University and MS and PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has been at SDSU since 1992. He was involved in clinical practice and consulting for over 30 years. He continues to teach in the Professional Program for Veterinary Medicine at SDSU and an online course at the University of Illinois. His research interests are in bovine and porcine immunology, respiratory disease pathogenesis, emerging diseases with wildlife interface, and vaccine development. Dr. Chase is the past president of the American College of Veterinary Microbiology, the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Disease, the American Association of Veterinary Immunologists, and the South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association, and past chair of the AVMA Council on Biologics and Therapeutic Agents and the AVMA Council on Research. Dr. Chase co-founded RTI (Research, Technology Innovation) LLC, an animal health contract research organization, in 1994, which conducts poultry, swine, and cattle studies. RTI was acquired by Clinvet in 2022, and he is the Infectious Disease and Vaccine Subject Expert for the Clinvet Group.
Dr. David Silliman brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Surgery team at RRAEH since 2024. With a strong educational background and extensive training in veterinary surgery, he is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to his patients.
Dr. Silliman’s journey in veterinary medicine began at North Carolina State University, where he obtained Bachelor of Science degrees in Animal Science and Zoology. He then pursued his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2010. Following veterinary school, Dr. Silliman embarked on a rigorous path, completing both a small animal rotating internship and a small animal surgical internship, followed by a three-year surgical residency at the Veterinary Specialty Center in Illinois.
Throughout his career, Dr. Silliman has worked in various locations, including Chicago, Pittsburgh, Asheville, and Greenville, before settling in Fargo, North Dakota. His diverse experiences have shaped his knowledge in all aspects of small animal surgery, with a particular focus on orthopedic, soft tissue, oncologic, neurologic, and minimally invasive surgery, as well as advanced surgical techniques.
Beyond his surgical skills, Dr. Silliman is deeply committed to comprehensive patient care, prioritizing the quality of life for his patients and serving as their advocate. He believes in the importance of compassion, communication, and teamwork in delivering optimal veterinary care to your pet.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Dr. Silliman enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing, and cherishes spending time with his family and friends.
With his dedication to excellence and passion for animal welfare, Dr. David Silliman continues to make significant contributions to the field of veterinary surgery at RRAEH and within the community.
Dr. Kyla Boas received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 2021. She began working in small animal general practice in the Fargo region shortly after, and began her behavior residency with the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in 2023.
Dr. Boas works regularly with behavior clients, as well as pets in shelter settings, to address a variety of behavior challenges including interpreting aggression, severe phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. She has a particular interest in multidog management, age-related behavior disorders, and behavior challenges in shelter pets.
Dr. Beth Venit, VMD, MPH, DACVPM, is the first Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). Her work focuses on providing regulatory and licensure support to veterinary regulatory boards, performing outreach to all stakeholders within the veterinary profession, and providing education on relevant topics such as Spectrum of Care, veterinary technician utilization, and the use of emerging technology in veterinary medicine. Before joining AAVSB, Dr. Venit practiced emergency and general veterinary medicine for over a decade and held an AAAS Fellowship with the U.S. Department of State, where she specialized in global biorisk management for the prevention of zoonotic diseases. Through her work at AAVSB, she continues to participate in critical conversations at the intersection of veterinary care, public protection, and the future of the profession.
Dr. Rachel Gibbs is the Livestock Extension Specialist at the NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center. Originally from West-Central Texas, Rachel has an extensive background in sheep production and was actively involved in several areas of animal agriculture through local, regional, and state 4-H programs. Rachel acquired her BS in Animal Science from Texas A&M University, followed by her M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where her research efforts focused on mitigating the outcomes of stress-induced fetal programming on ruminant livestock. Before joining NDSU in June of 2024, Rachel was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, researching the impact of acute heat stress on feedlot beef cattle physiology, behavior, and genome. As a Livestock Extension Specialist, Rachel’s research and Extension programs focus on improving the productivity of ruminant livestock through management tool development and stakeholder engagement.
Dr. Melissa J. Henke is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine. She serves as the Medical Director for both the North Dakota Professional Health Program and the Heartview Foundation. She is deeply committed to advancing provider wellness and brings this to her role at the NDPHP where she advocates and supports the monitoring of healthcare professionals who are experiencing burnout, mental health, or substance use disorders. At Heartview, she oversees patient care, leads the Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD/MAT) program, develops medical protocols, and works closely with interdisciplinary teams to support comprehensive addiction treatment. She also provides psychiatric consultation through Henke Psychiatric Services.
She is an active member of the American College of Physicians, the North Dakota Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the North Dakota Psychiatric Society.
She was appointed Assistant Professor of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences and contributes to statewide recovery initiatives as an Advisory Council Member for North Dakota Recovery Reinvented. She also serves her community as a Board Member of The Banquet. Dr. Henke earned her medical degree from the University of North Dakota and completed a combined Internal Medicine and Psychiatry residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident.
Maggie Seamands serves as the Executive Director of the North Dakota Professional Health Program, where she leads statewide efforts to support provider wellness and ensure safe, high‑quality care. A certified nurse leader and case manager, Maggie brings 15 years of progressive leadership experience spanning care coordination, case management, and organizational development.
Known for her commitment to creating environments where healthcare professionals can thrive, she has dedicated her career to strengthening provider well‑being and advancing systems that protect patient safety. Maggie also contributes to regulatory and professional advancement through her service as a Board Member of the North Dakota Board of Nursing.
Dr. Darren Berger is a Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist with extensive experience in clinical practice, research and education. Dr. Berger obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Iowa and his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University. He worked as a general practitioner and emergency veterinarian in Des Moines, IA prior to completing a private practice dermatology residency in Phoenix, AZ. He has special interests in clinical pharmacology and the management of allergic skin diseases. Prior to joining Elanco Animal Health, he was a tenured professor at Iowa State University who also taught at the University of Minnesota and South Dakota State.
Dr. Valerie Fadok has been intimately involved in veterinary dermatology for over 40 years. Her desire is to make dermatology less frustrating and more rewarding for veterinarians, pet owners, and pets. She received her DVM from Washington State University in 1978, after which she did an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the West Los Angeles Veterinary Medical Group. A residency in veterinary dermatology followed at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Fadok became board-certified veterinary dermatology in 1982. She earned a PhD in Experimental Pathology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences center in 1991; her thesis centered around programmed cell death and control of inflammation. Dr. Fadok has worked on faculty at University of Tennessee, the University of Florida, Texas A & M University, and National Jewish Health. Prior to joining Zoetis in 2016, she worked in private specialty practices in Denver, Colorado, and Houston, Texas. Dr. Fadok retired from Zoetis as a field specialist in January 2023. She has provided support to Nextmune for veterinarians about allergy testing, immunotherapy, and disease management. She currently works for the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) to provide case consults and to develop educational materials; she also helps with cases at Zoetis Dx. Dr. Fadok has lectured internationally, nationally, and locally on subjects relating to veterinary skin disease, immunology, and inflammation. Awards include the ACVD Award for Excellence (2010) and the Frank Kral Award (2018). She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Westie Foundation of American and the Human Animal Bond Association.
Dr. Greg Kuhlman graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin in 2009. He began his professional career with a small animal medicine and surgery internship at the VCA Animal Emergency and Referral Center in Arizona. This was followed by a residency in internal medicine at Texas A&M University, where he cultivated a passion for internal medicine, especially in areas such as gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, immune-mediated, and infectious diseases. Additionally, he is highly invested in the well-being of sporting dogs.
In 1999, Dr. Kuhlman made his debut in the American Kennel Club’s English Springer Spaniel field trials with his dog Rocky. The experience sparked a lifelong passion for training, breeding, and competing in these trials. He has been a field trial judge since 2005.
Away from his veterinary pursuits, Dr. Kuhlman is an avid outdoorsman. He takes pleasure in hunting upland game on the American Prairie, fly fishing, and pushing his limits in Ironman triathlons, having completed six to date. A dedicated sports fan, Dr. Kuhlman enthusiastically supports the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Bucks, and Wisconsin Badger teams across all sports.
Dr. Logan Weyand was hired as the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s wildlife veterinarian in 2025. Dr. Weyand previously served as the bighorn sheep biologist for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Washington State University, where he conducted research on pneumonia in bighorn sheep. Dr. Weyand earned his Master’s in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho, conducting research on parasitology and cause-specific mortality of moose. Dr. Weyand’s career interests are field studies of infectious diseases of wild ungulates, pathology, wildlife chemical immobilization, and disease ecology.
Dr. Fred Van Gorkom received his DVM in 1983 from Washington State University. One month after graduation he landed in Ethiopia, sent by Christian Veterinary Mission “for 6 months”. But as he served in a UNHCR refugee project and other capacities, he realized that as a veterinarian, he was not just treating animals and teaching about animal husbandry for people who had no other access to veterinary care; he was actually impacting their survival!
His wife Vicki, also a veterinarian (Oklahoma State University, 1982) came to help with the vet work in 1985. They married a year later and raised their four children in the remote southwestern bush of Ethiopia, while engaged in community development among semi-nomadic people groups. After 25 years they returned to the CVM home office where Fred continues to mobilize, train, place, and mentor other veterinary professionals in international work. He also serves in CVM global security, and CVM Affiliate coordination. Vicki has recently retired and enjoys their 9 grandchildren
Dr. Saxon received his DVM from Iowa State University in 1986. He completed his internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and residencies at the AMC and University of Pennsylvania. He practiced in the San Francisco area until 2007 and owned an intensive care unit in a specialty referral practice in Washington, D.C. He has been an IDEXX Reference Laboratories internal medicine consultant since 1997. Dr. Saxon is a coauthor of Manual of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine and has authored articles on cardiomyopathy, acute abdomen disease, drug toxicities and burn injury.
Dr. Hankins received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science and Industry, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University. He completed an Equine Internship at Washington State University and holds a Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University.
Dr. Hankins is currently employed by Zoetis as a Managing Equine Veterinarian. Before going to work for Zoetis he was head of Equine Field Service at Kansas State University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for seven years, as well as coordinating hospital outreach programs and student practice management programs.
Dr. Hankins currently resides in Bryan, Texas where his wife, Dr. Bonnie Rush, is Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University.
Dr. Mitchell is a veterinary diagnostician and section head for Serology and Virology at the NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Her work includes necropsy services, histopathology preparation and diagnostic testing.
She earned her Animal Science degree from South Dakota State University in 2002 and her DVM from Iowa State University in 2006, where she also participated in swine respiratory disease research. Dr. Mitchell spent eight years in large animal practice in Milbank, SD, followed by nearly a decade in mixed, companion animal, and exotic animal practice in North Dakota. She has also served as an adjunct instructor in NDSU’s Veterinary Technology Program.
In addition to her diagnostic responsibilities, Dr. Mitchell is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology and is an active leader within the North Dakota VMA, serving as president, past president, and a member of multiple committees.
Dr. Steichen is a veterinary anatomic pathologist at the NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She obtained her undergraduate and master’s degree in Animal Science from NDSU. Her master’s degree had an emphasis on ruminant nutrition and meat science and her thesis focused on supplementation of distiller grains and subsequent meat quality.
In 2017, Dr. Steichen graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She practiced in a rural, mixed animal clinic in North Dakota as an associate veterinarian. In 2019, she started her own mixed animal ambulatory practice focusing predominantly on production medicine of beef cattle.
She started an anatomic pathology residency in 2021 at the NDSU VDL, and became board certified in anatomic veterinary pathology through the American College of Veterinary Pathologists in August 2024. In addition to her pathology duties, she is also the Necropsy section head. Her interests are bovine diseases and nutrition.
