Our Doctors

Janine Swailes, DVM - earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Minnesota in 1986. She practiced small animal medicine and surgery in Minnesota and Arkansas before moving to Washington in 1993. Her special interests include canine breeding and infertility. She is a partner in the practice and an adjunct professor at Yakima Valley Community College. Dr. Swailes was raised in Iowa and has four children. The family also includes Chrissy (short for Chrysanthemum) a miniature Schnauzer and Bean, a mischievous cat. She enjoys bicycling in the summer, skiing in the winter, and cooking year round.

Susan Thorson, DVM - is a 1981 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University. Dr. Thorson has worked in the Tri-Cities area since graduation and is a partner in the practice. She currently is involved with a preceptor program as an adjunct professor with the Washington State University Veterinary School teaching senior veterinary students here at Meadow Hills. She also is involved with Washington State's University innovative communication program. Her special interests are feline medicine and pain control. Dr. Thorson and her husband Murray have three grown sons. The daughter of a surgeon, she was raised in Hawaii. The family pets include Copper, an older Vizla, Phila, a very playful labradoodle, and Hope, a cuddly teacup poodle. Dr. Thorson also has very shy kitty twins and her husband's beloved geriatric cat, Lynx.

Sabine Gerds, DVM - earned her degree from Giessen University, Germany, in 1992, and studied two years at Kansas State University, where she earned a Master's Degree in Clinical Science Ophthalmology. She also interned one year at the University of Pennsylvania. Her special interest is ophthalmology. Dr. Gerds was raised in Essen, Germany. Her husband Brett also is a veterinarian and graduate of Kansas State. They have a daughter Kaitlin and a son Darius.

Carol Wilson, DVM - graduated from Washington State University in 1988. She has practiced small animal medicaine in Yakima for 17 years before joining MHVC. Dr. Wilson and her husband have one son. They have two rowdy young cats, Jack and Spider, a geriatric cat Kramer, and a patient Labrador, Deacon.

Heidi Wells, DVM - graduated from the Veterinary program at Washington State University in 1998. Her special interest is in emergency medicine. She was born and raised on the island of Maui and spent most of her childhood riding horses. She and her husband Beric, have three young children, two horses, two cats, and a ferret.

Alicia Bangert, DVM - is a graduate of Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and, while in school, received the Dr. Kenneth Kimball Memorial Scholarship for proficiency in small animal medicine. Before joining Meadow Hills Veterinary Center in April, 2008, Dr. Bangert worked as a veterinarian at Hilltop Pet Clinic in Kearney, Nebraska. Dr. Bangert enjoys furniture building, gardening, bird watching, baking, and crossword puzzles. She has a Scottish terrier.

Shannon Urza, DVM - was born in Richland and has returned home after graduating from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in the class of 2008. She enjoys the beautiful sun of the Tri-Cities and all its outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, tennis, and gardening. She also is an avid ping pong player and has a passion for ballroom, Latin, and tango dance. She enjoys spending time with her cat Snowy, adopted dog Woody, and family and friends.

Laura Serreyn, DVM - earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree at Oregon State University in 2001. After moving frequently while growing up, she decided to make the Pacific Northwest her home. She moved to Kennewick in 2004 and joined MHVC in 2009. Dr. Serreyn is an avid reader and also enjoys biking, running and knitting. She has two dogs, Daisy a labrador, and Shelby a yorkie, and her cat Holly.

Kathleen Paulson, DVM - graduated from Washington State University with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. Upon completing her studies she participated in a one year veterinary internship program followed by working in Spokane. Dr. Paulson and her husband --in 2009 a second year veterinary student as WSU-- are animal lovers and have a menagerie of animals including three dogs, two cats, two horses, and fish. In her free time Dr. Paulson likes to ride her horses, camp, hike, and go to as many Cougar athletic events as possible. GO COUGS!