Our Team

Meadow Hills Veterinary Center's number one asset is our highly trained and exceptionally compassionate staff. Their knowledge, expertise, and professionalism should exceed your expectations during your visit. We all work together to ensure that each pet receives personal attention and close monitoring.

Veterinarians

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. Dr. Swailes was raised in Iowa and has four children. The family also includes Bean, a mischievous cat and Bennie, a terrier mix. 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.

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.

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!

Sharon Molton, DVM - earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree at Washington State University in 2000. She grew up in Kennewick and is excited to return home after practicing in Western Washington for the past 11 years. Her fields of interest include internal medicine, geriatric care, pain management, and ultrasound. Dr. Molton's pets include one Miniature (and one not so Miniature) Australian Shepherd, Kiley and Blaze, a lap warming cat named Mocha, talkative Cockatiel named Magoo, and a variety of fish. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, gardening, hiking, kayaking, and watching her husband Jeff and dog Blaze train in agility.

Staff Training

Every team member has been rigorously screened and evaluated before ever joining Meadow Hills! Each new team member participates in an intense ten phase training program to ensure compassionate care and safety for your pet. We want you to know you can have confidence in each and every member of Meadow Hills.

Staff & Team Meetings

Monthly team meetings are held for our group education, open discussion on improving our services and for personal connection between ourselves.

Continuing Education

In addition to in-house training, our staff travels to regional and national lectures and conferences to maintain our knowledge of current medical, surgical and dental procedures, as well as preventative medicine.

Veterinarian Students

Select veterinary students nearing graduation from Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine apply their training during a four-week internship at Meadow Hills Veterinary Center. See the students our clinic has hosted and read more about the program.