Meet Our Staff at Veterinary Oncology and Research Center
in West Chester PA

After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, magna cum laude, Dr. Jeglum began her journey in the field of oncology as a research assistant in tumor immunology and immunotherapy at Harvard Medical School in 1972. She took graduate studies in tumor immunology. While attending veterinary school in 1973 at the University of Pennsylvania, she continued her research endeavors as a research associate at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology. Working with Charles Mangan, M.D., they developed the intralymphatic route for delivery of tumor vaccines as therapy for ovarian cancer in women. This approach was later used for treatment of lymphoma in dogs.

Following graduation from veterinary school, Dr. Jeglum did a post-doctoral fellowship. Her training included the Animal Medical Center in New York City, under mentor Dr. Greg MacEwen, and UC Davis Veterinary School, under mentor Dr. Gordan Theilan. Her affiliation with gynecologic oncology at the medical school remained throughout her tenure at Penn. She started medical oncology as a part of the Oncology Service at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (VHUP), under mentor Dr. Robert Brodey, one of the forefathers of veterinary oncology. In 1988, she was named a Charter Diplomate in the subspecialty of  Oncology in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She was an Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology and Head of the Oncology Service from 1981–1989 and remained on the faculty at VHUP until 1990. During that time, she held appointments at the National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Maryland; Fox Chase Cancer Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From 1992–1997, she was an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at VHUP. She continues her academic affiliation today as an Adjunct Associate Professor at The Wistar. She has lectured both nationally and internationally and has published papers on chemotherapy and immunotherapy in both human and veterinary oncology.

Dr. Jeglum launched Veterinary Oncology Services in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 1990. In 1996, Veterinary Oncology Services and Research Center (VOSRC) opened its doors as the only designated private veterinary cancer center in the region. Her research continued with the development of Canine Lymphoma Monoclonal Antibody 231, which was commercialized in the 1990s. In collaboration with Dr. Zenon Steplewski, they hold a U.S. patent for monoclonal antibodies against canine lymphoma-associated antigens. Clinical trials were conducted at VOSRC with TALL-104 cells, a novel cytotoxic cell line from a child with leukemia, which showed promising results in canine histiocytic sarcoma and osteosarcoma. VOSRC expanded in 2001 with the opening of the VOS’ Radiation Center in Chalfont, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Jeglum was funded by the Canine Health Foundation of the The American Kennel Club from 2005–2008 to study the genetic epidemiology of cancer in the golden retriever. Through these studies, heritability of lymphoma and soft tissue sarcoma has been proven in the breed and manuscripts are in preparation. Currently, she is a member of the Steering Committee for the Morris Animal Foundation’s Canine Lifetime Health Project, a prospective, lifetime cohort study designed to determine the incidence of cancer in golden retrievers and to identify genetic, nutritional, lifestyle, and environmental risk factors.

Dr. Jeglum has bred and shown dogs for more than 30 years. Cocker spaniels were her first breed but now her household has expanded with Pugs and German shorthaired pointers. Her pastimes include cooking and reading, and she has been an avid golfer since childhood.

Dr. Lisa Suslak-Brown earned her Bachelor of Arts from Swarthmore College 1987, and her Veterinary medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1991.  She worked in equine practice Lafayette, NJ 1991-1993.  Her Radiology Residency training was at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania 1993-1996.  Dr. Suslak-Brown became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology 1999.  She is the owner of Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound Services, LLC since 1996.  She has provided diagnostic imaging services for Veterinary Oncology Services and Research Center, owned by Dr. K. Ann Jeglum since 1996.  Dr. Suslak-Brown has also worked in the Section of Sports Medicine and Imaging at the New Bolton Center campus of University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine 1996-2010 as lecturer and an adjunct faculty member.  She is a member of the Board of Directors of eVetDiagnostics since 2010.

Dr. Snijders graduated in 1987 from Onderstepoort, University of Pretoria in South Africa. From 1988–1995, he worked in general practice in a number of locations between the United States and South Africa since he has family members in both countries. From 1996–2007, he worked in a specialty medical and surgical referral practice in South Africa. During that time, he had extensive experience in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. He moved back to the United States in 2007 and took a position as an emergency and critical care hospitalist at Windcrest Animal Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. From the start of his career, he has maintained a particular interest in oncology and started training at VOSRC in 2008. He is an international fencer and was a member of the South African team at the African and World Championships in 2001. He is married with two sons.

Dr. Schofield is originally from Chester County, Pennsylvania.  She earned a bachelors degree with a minor in genetics from North Carolina State University, thereafter she attended NCSU Veterinary School where she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.  She completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the California Animal Hospital in Los Angeles California.  Dr. Schofield returned to the east coast to complete a 3 year residency program in Small Animal Surgery at the Veterinary Referral Center in Malvern Pennsylvania.  She worked as a small animal surgeon at a referral practice in Maryland and is  board certified by the College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Dina is dedicated to offering her surgical skills and medical knowledge for your referral patients and clients.  While research focus during her residency was on laryngeal paralysis and airway surgery she also has diversified her research experience in orthopedics with total hip replacements.   Her special interests include surgical diseases of the respiratory system (laryngeal paralysis, brachycephalic airway syndrome, lung lobectomy) surgical oncology, (reconstructive surgery, skin flaps, mandibulectomies, maxillectomies), urinary surgery (congenital anomalies, ectopic ureters, incontinence, USMI, recurrent UTIs, tumor reconstruction), neurologic and orthopedic surgery.  She has completed the Penn Hip and TPLO certification.   She is proficient in diagnosing lameness and performing ACL surgery.  Dr. Schofield’s most recent research publication is on a new surgical technique for Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs

Bio coming soon.

Karen L. Kohlmeyer

Karen graduated from West Chester University in 1973 with a B.S. in health and physical education. She then went on to complete her master’s degree at WCU. Karen spent eight years teaching health, physical education, and driver education at Bishop Shanahan High School in West Chester and another 13 years at Kennett middle and high schools in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. She served as athletic director at Shanahan and successfully coached multiple varsity sports at both schools. She spent a year as a sales representative for a sporting goods company in Philadelphia between her two teaching tenures. Karen joined the formation of Veterinary Oncology Services as the bookkeeper and receptionist in 1990, having brought previous experience from another veterinary practice. She was an instrumental part of the team that built and designed VOSRC. Having had many years of public relations work and business experience, she became the practice manager and business administrator in 1996. When not at work, Karen enjoys spending time walking with her dogs, reading, and playing golf. She has bred and shown championship dogs for many years. She was an avid horsewoman, spending many years foxhunting in Chester County.

Kathy Carner, AS, CVT, LATG

Kathy graduated from Harcum Jr. College in 1988.  She proudly joined VOSRC in 1994 at the inception of the practice.  In 2003, she decided to pursue a career in pre-clinical research at a large pharmaceutical company.  Her passion for clinical veterinary medicine prevailed and she returned in 2011 and continues to bring laughter and good medicine to the team at VOSRC.  Kathy and her boyfriend Mark share their home with their 4 beloved dogs in Chadds Ford, PA.

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JoAnn Haines, CVT, ALAT

Joann earned her associate degree in science at Harcum College, became a certified veterinary technician, and joined the staff at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center. For 19 years, she provided veterinary care for large animals, primarily equine and bovine, along with small ruminants. She enjoys working with a wonderful crew of people, the patients, and their owners and seeing the relationship the people have with their pets. Her experience in patient care is reflected in her day-to-day work. She has had many pets over the years and currently has horses, chickens, and a peacock!

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Mary Landis, CVT

Mary graduated in 1982 from Harcum College with an associate’s degree in animal health technology. She worked in general practice for 13 years in all areas from surgery and patient care to receptionist and office duties. She joined VOSRC in April 2002, when she became a medical oncology and radiation technician. She is nicknamed the “cat whisperer” by the girls in West Chester because of her ability to work with fractious cats. Her activities include singing in the Bucks County Choral Society and obedience/rally training with her Doberman. She is mom to a 20–year-old daughter, 16-year-old son, four cat, and two dogs. Most of her “spare” time is spent helping her son with band-related activities. She enjoys sewing, reading, and working.

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Kristin VanCalmthout, CVT

Kristin graduated from Harcum Jr. College in 1990 from their Animal Center Management Program and began work at the Elmwood Park Zoo as a zookeeper. After 2 years at the Zoo, she went back to Harcum to finish her degree in the Veterinary Technician Program while working at West Chester Veterinary Medical Clinic. Upon completion of the Vet Tech program, she started work at VOSRC and continued there for 11 years. Kristin left VOSRC for 5 years to raise her two children. During that time she worked emergency overnights for a Veterinary ER service. Now she is back doing the work she loves best.

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Debbie Perrucci

Debbie came to work at VOSRC in 2003 after having been a client of ours. Always an animal lover, she has lived with dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, domestic rats, and bunnies. She currently owns one dog and a rescued dwarf rabbit. Because she has had two dogs with cancer, she can relate to and understand the hopes and concerns of our clients. And hopefully, her compassion has made the clients’ visits to VOSRC easier.

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Lisa Bell

Lisa grew up on a chicken farm in Lancaster County. Childhood dogs included a Doberman named Fritz, a German Shepard named Max and a St Bernard mix named Bruno. The farm also had 42 cats, needed for rodent control. According to her mother it was extremely difficult to keep her away from the cats and all of the animals - there was a natural attraction. She went to college at West Chester University and received a B.A. in biology. After graduation she found herself employed at a veterinary clinic in West Chester where she remained for 18 years. Through marriage, moving and children she moved on to another position at an orthopaedic practice where she enjoyed working with "people" in the medical field. Living in West Chester she found herself wanting to get back to working with "animals" and "people" - her two loves rolled up into one! Lisa is looking forward to developing relationships with the clients at VOSRC so that she can provide a comfortable experience for owners and pets as they go through patient care and treatment.

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Katie Griffin

Katie joined VOSRC in 2022. She is originally from the Chicago area but has been happy to call Chester County her home since 2005. She has always grown up around dogs — especially cocker spaniels— and is a lifelong animal lover. She graduated with honors from West Chester University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Before transitioning to the veterinary world, Katie worked in the jewelry industry for over a decade. Her favorite part of working at VOSRC is getting to make a difference every day in the lives of pets and the humans who love them.

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