Veterinary Hope
Foundation Leadership
Board of Directors
With decades of combined experience in mental health and veterinary medicine, our leadership team meets as partners to create hope and extend support to veterinary professionals experiencing struggle and challenge in a complex and ever changing world.
Advisory Panel Members
Jen Brandt MSW, LISW-S, PhD, Director of Wellbeing and Diversity Initiatives, Office of the Executive Vice President, AVMA. Veterinary Hope Foundation Advisory Panel Chair
Dr. Ruthanne Chun is a graduate of the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship at Cornell and a residency in Comparative Oncology at Purdue. She is a Clinical Professor, a practicing medical oncologist, and she serves as section head of Oncology and as Chief of Large Animal Services at the SVM
Dr. Kerry Karaffa is a licensed psychologist and mental health coordinator with the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. He earned a M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Oklahoma State University
Dr. Erika Richardson did her undergraduate year and received her doctorate of veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University. Following graduation, Dr. Richardson practiced veterinary medicine in Fayetteville for five years. She then moved to Clayton and cared for many pets in the Raleigh and Rolesville areas for 4 years. She became a member of the Stonewater Veterinary Hospital team in the Summer of 2023, where she currently works.
Dr Tim Kolb has practiced pet animal medicine since graduating from The Ohio State in 1982. He purchased Northwest Animal Hospital in 1991 and gained recognition as a “Practice of Excellence” by Veterinary Economics. In 2001 he opened a Charter Hospital with Banfield and continues to practice there as an Associate Veterinarian. He has been Adjunct Professor, lecturing on Ethics, Jurisprudence, and Wellbeing. He also served the Ohio State Veterinary Alumni Society as President, and currently serves on the college’s Admissions Committee. Dr. Kolb was honored with the 2023 Distinguished Alumni award.
Dr. Pallavi Oruganti was born in India and raised Dayton, Ohio after her family immigrated to the US. After completing her undergraduate degree in Anthropology at The Ohio State University, she went on to complete a Master of Public Health- Veterinary Public Health at OSU. Dr. Oruganti received her DVM from The Ohio State University in 2022.
Rebecca Rose, RVT, CCC (Certified Career Coach), CPEP (Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Professional), has a diverse background serving the veterinary community as a credentialed team member and leader with over 37 years of experience. She has worked in and managed veterinary clinics, collaborates with industry partners, authors articles and books, and facilitates engaging team workshops. She was recently appointed to the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine as one of the first RVT Members.
Crystal Stokes, LMFT Founder& Managing Director of Full Circle Lab
As a former ER veterinary technician, licensed psychotherapist, and leadership performance coach, Crystal, and her team of coaches, work directly with veterinary leaders to reduce turnover, develop leadership skills, and improve the wellness of their team. She is on a mission to bring vet med professionals Full Circle, back to the passion for improving the lives of animals while caring for their own lives too.
Dr. Joshika Chande, DVM was born and raised in Detroit, MI, but spent several years of his childhood living in India. He is a new graduate from Michigan State University and currently practicing as a GP veterinarian in the Detroit metro area. In his spare time, he loves to read, go on walks, and travel. As he grow into this field, he would love to become more involved with DEI efforts and mentorship!
Josh “Mexico Joe” Vaisman MAPPCP (PgD), CCFP, Lead Positive Change Agent
Josh believes all veterinary professionals deserve to feel fulfilled and energized in their work, every day. Through his company, Flourish Veterinary Consulting, he combines more than 25 years of veterinary experience, a master’s in applied positive psychology and coaching psychology, education in positive leadership and positive organizational scholarship, and a passion for guiding leaders to cultivate workplaces in which people thrive. He’s also the author of the American Animal Hospital Association book, “Lead to Thrive: The Science of Crafting a Positive Veterinary Culture”.
