Our Team

A love for pets, a passion for helping others, and a commitment to serving the community—that’s all in a day’s work for our veterinarians and staff members at Back Bay Veterinary Clinic. Get to know their stories and contact us for an appointment soon! We can’t wait to meet you.

Veterinarians

Katherine Wheeler, DVM Medical Director

Dr. Katherine Wheeler is from Cambridge, MA. She completed her undergraduate degree at Colorado College and graduated from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, earning the Academic Achievement Award and admission into the international veterinary honor society, Phi Zeta. After veterinary school, Dr. Wheeler completed a community medicine small animal rotating internship at Angell Animal Medical Center. Her interests include surgery (soft tissue and select orthopedic procedures), ultrasonography, and internal medicine.

If you could have any talent, what would it be and why?

If you could only eat one food forever, what would it be?

When are you happiest?

Graham Sager-Gellerman, DVM

Dr. Graham Sager-Gellerman graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. His clinical interests include preventative health care, pain management, dermatology, and nutrition. He has a commitment to effective communication and values a strong doctor-client relationship. When not at the clinic, Dr. SG spends his time hiking, cooking, following baseball and hanging out with his adopted dog, Lily.

What inspired you to work in the veterinary profession?

If you woke up as an animal tomorrow, what would you be and why?

If you had a super power, what would it be?

Vivian Wang, DVM

Dr. Vivian Wang completed her undergraduate degree at University of Toronto and graduated from University of Melbourne in 2014 with her DVM. After graduating, Dr. Wang completed a small animal rotating internship in Long Island, New York. Her clinical interests include avian and exotic medicine, internal medicine, emergency, and pain management. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Wang enjoys eating delicious foods, traveling, hiking, snorkeling and diving. She lives in the Boston area with a husband, two kids, a dog named Nubbin and a crested gecko named Omarion.

IF YOU COULD ONLY EAT ONE FOOD FOREVER WHAT WOULD IT BE?

When are you happiest?

If you didn’t work in veterinary medicine, what would you be doing?

If you woke up as an animal tomorrow what would you be and why?

Lindsey Edwards, DVM

Dr. Lindsey Edwards received bachelor’s degrees in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and Spanish from the University of Florida. She went on to also obtain her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from UF, graduating with honors and a certificate in Aquatic Animal Medicine.

Dr. Edwards’ professional interests include preventive medicine, avian and exotic medicine, ultrasonography, and surgery. She is Fear Free Certified and looks forward to collaborating with her patients’ caretakers as a healthcare team. In her free time, you can find Dr. Edwards exploring new things to do in Boston, reading, dancing, and going on adventures with her dogs, Leighton and Dora.

Tess Gannaway, DVM

Dr. Tess Gannaway hails from nearby Providence, Rhode Island. She attended Barnard College at Columbia University in New York City for her undergraduate degree. After graduation, she returned to the area and attended Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. During her time at Tufts, she traveled to various continents to study disease transmission between humans and animals with a focus on the burgeoning interdisciplinary concept of “One Health” and gender.

After graduating veterinary school, Dr. Gannaway completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship in Tucson, Arizona with a focus on emergency medicine and trauma. Although she fell in love with the desert, she returned home to the East Coast to be closer to her family. Dr. Gannaway can treat a variety of pets including birds, and her special interests include emergency medicine, zoonotic disease, and palliative/end of life care. Outside of the clinic she spends her time running, swimming, and going on adventures with her geriatric desert poodle Creature, who you can see wandering around the clinic on any given day, living the life.

If you could only eat one food forever, what would it be?

If you woke up as an animal tomorrow, what would you be and why?

When are you happiest?

Eva Gurian, DVM

Dr. Eva Gurian is from the New York metropolitan area. She graduated with her doctorate from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. After graduating, Dr. Gurian completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship in Waltham, MA. Her professional interests include surgery and wound management, endocrine disease, neurology, and building client relationships.

Outside the clinic Dr. Gurian loves to exercise, spend time with friends, and try new foods. She lives in Boston with her two cats Kato and Azuma.

Alexandra Chapman, DVM

Dr. Alexandra Chapman grew up in sunny Southern California. She received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with an emphasis in physiology from the University of California at Davis. She went on to obtain her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from UC Davis as well. Dr. Chapman’s clinical interests include preventive medicine, surgery, pain management, and internal medicine. She is Fear Free Certified and looks forward to forming bonds with her patients and clients. In her free time Dr. Chapman loves hiking, cooking (and eating), reading, traveling, and spending time with her Labrador retriever, Indy.

IF YOU DIDN’T WORK IN VETERINARY MEDICINE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

If you could only eat one food forever, what would it be?

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WORK IN THE VETERINARY PROFESSION?

Pamela Bendock, VMD Founder

Pam knew she wanted to be a veterinarian at the age of four. After receiving undergraduate and doctorate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, she completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Angell Animal Medical Center. Pam’s desire to bring high-quality veterinary care to one of Boston’s favorite neighborhoods led to the founding of Back Bay Veterinary Clinic in 2000. With a big heart and a soft touch for her patients and their families, Pam leads the team and constantly strives to bring the most exceptional and progressive care to the practice.

Outside the office, Pam can be found with her two daughters, husband, and their menagerie of pets. She enjoys equestrian sports, gardening, yoga, and exercise. A foodie at heart, Pam’s always in pursuit of the next best bakery, ice cream shop, or artisanal offering.

What inspired you to work in the veterinary profession?

My desire to become a veterinarian became evident at four years of age. My dog had found a baby cottontail rabbit in our yard and we did our best to try to save it. I can vividly recall the compassion of Dr. Fred Merz, who tried to gently explain that the possibility of saving this rabbit was slim and even our best might not be good enough. The kindness he showed to both this small creature and to me was something that has stuck with me forever. While the bunny did not survive, the lesson and the feeling have constantly fueled my desire to try and help, to try and make a difference to those creatures who cannot speak for themselves. In that, I find incredible satisfaction and fulfillment.

What is your favorite part about your job?

I’ve got a few favorite parts of my job as a practice owner. The first is creating a culture of excellence. Our industry is driven not only by medicine but by customer care and experience. My overarching goal is to have each client leave the practice feeling as if we exceeded their expectations in care and service. While that goal is not always attainable, we strive to make each day the best it can be for our patients, their families, and ourselves. And when we don’t, I take it very much to heart and do my best to set things right. I love watching the organized chaos of a neighborhood clinic, with everything buzzing at once and everyone doing exactly what they need to do so that we may keep the day running and provide care for those who need us, whenever they need us. And I also love observing the extraordinary bonds that form between team members and I’m proud to say that many of them form lifelong friendships under the roof of this practice.

If you didn’t work in veterinary medicine, what would you be doing?

If I wasn’t me, I’d be Joanne Chang. I love everything about flour and baking is my therapeutic release. There’s something about the aroma, the use of the hands and the creation of yummy baked goods that makes me really happy. Perhaps that comes from my innate desire to see others joyful, which is not always possible in my role, but seems much easier to achieve when you’re creating good food. How could you not be happy about a chocolate chip cookie? Or a peanut butter cookie, or carrot cake, or a cinnamon bun?

Manager

Kristine Hughes, Practice Manager

A member of the Back Bay vet team since 2010, Kristine was asked to help manage our organization in 2014. A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in psychology, she has worked in general practice and emergency medicine for several years. A diligent worker with tremendous ability to manage even the most difficult situations, Kristine will gain your trust from your first meeting. When she is not advocating for the animal and human health community, you can often find her enjoying the outdoors, cooking, or planning a fun trip.

Technicians

Kacey Tiersch, Technician Supervisor-Surgical(Care/Services), CVT

What inspired you to work in the veterinary profession?

What is your favorite part about your job?

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Eileen Leavey, Technician Supervisor-Outpatient (Care)(Services), CVT

What is your idea of paradise?

What is your favorite part about your job?

If you didn't work in veterinary medicine what would you be doing?

Gabriella Araya, Certified Veterinary Technician

If you had a super power what would it be?

If you woke up as an animal tomorrow what would you be and why?

If you didn't work in veterinary medicine what would you be doing?

Kayla Gamel-Emerald, Certified Veterinary Technician

If you woke up as an animal tomorrow what would you be and why?

I would choose to be a cat, preferably a domestic short hair. Long hair seems like it would be exhausting to clean as a cat. Any animal choice would be cool but I think being a really spoiled, lazy, independent house cat sounds amazing. Cats are gorgeous, elegant, agile and are allowed to be feisty, who wouldn’t want to be a cat? In this dream world of mine I am also a really awesome nighttime crime fighting cat. Think Catwoman but just a cat.

If you had a super power, what would it be?

This is probably a very obvious answer for someone who works with animals and is an animal lover, but, (drum roll please)…. I would have the ability to talk to animals. It would make my job easier and I think even more fun. I could also be a star like Dr. Dolittle. Ultimately, I would choose this power so I could ask my cat Bleu why he tries to scratch off paint and eat it and why my cat Mykonos decides to slam cabinet doors.

What inspired you to work in the veterinary profession?

It is hard to think of a certain moment that inspired me to work in the veterinary profession. I have never had any other career in mind. I was passionate about animals from a young age and knew I had to work in a field with them. I loved going to the library and reading informational books on cats and dogs as a child. Animals have always been a type of safe/happy space for me and I wanted to be able to give back to them. I originally thought I would be a veterinarian until I learned about the amazing career as a veterinary technician. I will always be proud of myself for never giving up on my dream and achieving it.

Mary Moseley, Veterinary Assistant

If you woke up as an animal tomorrow what would you be and why?

When are you the happiest?

If you had a super power what would it be?

Nadia Kelley, Veterinary Assistant

If you woke up as an animal tomorrow what would you be and why?

When are you the happiest?

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Alison Griffin, Veterinary Assistant

If you didn't work in veterinary medicine what would you be doing?

If you could only eat one food forever what would it be?

When are you the happiest?

Myrtianna Stoukides, Veterinary Assistant

What inspired you to work in the veterinary profession?

I never really had an epiphany and it might sound cheesy but, it is one of my oldest memories. I was just lucky that I knew very early on in my life that there’s nothing else that I want to do but to become a veterinarian and to heal and help animals. When I was really young, I would spend hours watching animal documentaries and those animal rescue shows and the best part was when they showed how much better and happier the animals were later! It took a lot of hard work to get my degree but it was all worth it!

If you had a superpower what would it be?

When are you the happiest?

Maya Pensa, Technician Assistant

If you didn't work in veterinary medicine, what would you be doing?

If you had a superpower what would it be?

When are you happiest?

Client Services

Veterinarians in Boston: Katrina Kohler-Tiedeman

Katrina Kohler-Tiedeman, Director of Client Services

When are you the happiest?

What inspired you to work in the veterinary profession?

I loved Farley, the neighbors' Golden Retriever. The older I got the more attached I became to Farley and even considered him my best friend. Unfortunately, Farley was diagnosed with cancer when I was in 6th grade. Once I found out, I organized a garage sale and all proceeds went towards his care. A few months later he lost his battle with cancer but I never forgot my first experience and loving an animal.

If you could only eat one food forever what would it be?

Lorriane Lyons, Client Service Representative

If you could only eat one food forever what would it be?

IF YOU WOKE UP AS AN ANIMAL TOMORROW WHAT WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?

WHEN ARE YOU HAPPIEST?

Mearte Winter, Client Service Representative

If you had any super power, what would it be?

If you woke up as an animal tomorrow what would you be and why?

If you didn't work in vetinary medicine, what would you be doing?

Groomer

Kate Fry, Groomer

Described as a Groomer Extraordinaire, Kate Fry has been with Back Bay Veterinary Clinic the longest and is a huge asset to the practice. With the patience of a saint and a talent for bringing out the best in each of her clients, Kate can be found happily ensconced in creating her latest masterpiece behind the scenes of 288 Newbury. Her following is wide and appreciative, and they prance out of the practice looking great and feeling even better! Born and raised in New York City, Kate graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1985 with a BA in theatre and writing. She attended the New York School of Dog Grooming in 1991, worked at Amsterdog Groomers in New York and joined our team in July 2001. She enjoys writing, reading and photography, and music keeps her going throughout each day. Off hours are spent with her husband Jeff and son William, both of whom find ways to make her laugh.