Oakton-Vienna Veterinary Hospital, Our Team

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Meet the OVVH Team!

Oakton-Vienna Veterinary Hospital (OVVH) has been serving the community for over 20 years. We are committed to giving you and your companions the highest quality care available. We're animal lovers too, and you'll notice the difference that makes from your very first visit.

DR. CHARLES W. BLEVINS
I grew up in Washington DC. My love of animals began when I found a baby raccoon at the age of 8. As founder of Oakton-Vienna Veterinary Hospital, I have been practicing veterinary medicine in the Northern Virginia area for over 20 years. I love being at OVVH because I can care for animals in a fun warm atmosphere and my clients are my extended family. In addition to my veterinary education, I have been trained as a cognitive therapist, a skill that assists me in my interest in the human-animal bond and the relationship of companion animals to our emotional and physical health. The Oprah Winfrey Show featured my work with the human-animal bond in 2001. This work plays a big part in my everyday role working with clients - caring for their pets but also caring for their needs in times of distress. I love the connections I have created and feel very lucky to be at OVVH. In my spare time, I enjoy a variety of outside activities including kayaking, biking and hiking. I also work out at the gym and take weeky yoga classes.

DR. SANDY CHRISTMUS
I spent most of my childhood in South Carolina and graduated from Clemson University with a BS in Microbiology. After graduation, I worked at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine as a lab technologist dealing with organ transplants, paternity tests and research studies. I graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in 1995 and was inducted into the Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society while at school. The Vienna/Fairfax area has been my home since graduation from veterinary school. I am past vice-president of The Shiloh Project, a nonprofit group dedicated to helping at-risk youth learn compassion and responsibility by allowing them to socialize and train rescued homeless dogs. I also work a great deal with Greyhound Rescue, Inc., both pre-and post-adoption. I have a special interest in ultrasonography and have performed more than a thousand sonograms on dogs and cats. My wife and three cats take care of me when I'm not at work!

DR. JACKIE JONES:
I am a native of Maryland, but left to attend the Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1993. My first job took me to California, where I worked in a mixed animal practice, treating ostriches, wolves, cows, pigs, and everything in between! Although the variety was stimulating, it had the down side of being physically risky. Seeking safer work, I moved to the San Francisco area to work for a corporate owned small animal practice. This is where I began to treat exotics, especially reptiles, as the California climate is great for them. Tiring of missing my family, I decided to move back to the East coast, and transferred to a hospital in Northern Virginia. My personal interests include reading, gardening, skiing, hiking, traveling, jewelry making and stamping. My husband and I share our home with Trouble, a 12 year old Terrier mix (and yes, the personality did cause Trouble's name, not the other way around!).

DR. DIANE HEINZ
I received an MBA in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh in 1986. After 10 years in the financial services industry, I returned to my first love, veterinary medicine. I received my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000, and have since been working in private practice and in the public sector. I am interested in companion animal internal medicine, and enjoy promoting the health and happiness of pets and their owners. In my spare time, I enjoy renovating my house and making stained-glass artwork. I am owned by two silly cats and one very sweet dog.

MITCH
Mitchell will forever live in our hearts...

LINDA ZESWITZ
I have been with OVVH for over 10 years. I started as a veterinary assistant, and currently I am in charge of the bookkeeping. When I am not at OVVH, I am very involved in animal rescue and founded Collie Rescue, Inc., a non-profit animal rescue serving Virginia and Maryland.

MARIA SARACHO
I graduated from Falls Church High School in 2003. I am currently attending Northern Virginia Community College in the pursuit of my dream goal of receiving a degree in Veterinary Medicine. I just got a puppy boxer named Lailia. She keeps my boyfriend and I very busy running around! When I am not busy with Lailia, you will find me scrapbooking, jogging, or watching movies.

EFFIE DROSOS
I was born and raised in Northern Virginia and have been working as a vet assistant/tech for over 4 years. I am in charge of the hospital inventory for OVVH and assist the doctors with treatments and surgeries. I am owned by my two loving dachshunds, Penelope and Suzie. In my free time, I enjoy scrap booking.

RACHEL SCHMIDT
I was born and raised in Oklahoma and went to college in Texas but have lived on both coasts due to my husband being in the Navy. I only recently moved to Virginia from Washington state where I worked as a vet assistant/tech for over 2 years. I miss the mountains and the ocean but I'm so happy to be back in a warmer climate! In my free time I enjoy exploring Viriginia's green spaces with my black lab Hana, nature photography (especially birds) and watching japanese tv dramas.

JEAN MARIE KELSCH
Ever since I started my first veterinary position in 2006, I knew it would be a job I would enjoy coming to everyday. I have been with OVVH since 2007, and have learned a great deal along the way. Although I don’t plan on being in veterinary medicine forever, I am hoping to stay in the scientific field where I can use my degree in Biology as well the experiences I have gained. I have a goofy 4-year-old German Shepherd mix named Chase, and enjoy traveling, being outdoors, and being active in my free time.

ERICA KALLOP
I was born and raised in Washington, DC. I moved to North Carolina to pursue my life long dream of becoming a Veterinarian. I had previously worked with horses and wanted to explore working with small animals. I began working with small animals when in North Carolina. During my time in North Carolina I had the pleasure of working side be side with Veterinarians at NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine. I am very close with my family and have found myself back in the DC area to be closer to my family. Currently, I am working on getting into vet school. I enjoy working at OVVH because of the personalize care they offer. When I am not at work or working on my vet school application I am totally owned by my three Weimaraners, but also enjoy in my spare time my two Buckskin American Quarter Horses.

LAUREN SHELTON
I have just recently returned to NOVA, from Colorado to begin nursing school. I received my BA in psychology from George Mason. My love for animals is what keeps bringing me back to the veterinary field. In my free time I love reading, taking photographs, and hiking with my dog.

CARRIE AMERICA
I was born and raised in NOVA. I've been working with animals for almost 10 years now and couldn't imagine doing anything else. I have two children and a 15 month old American bulldog. I enjoy spending my free time with my family, close friends and my puppy.

MONICA CRAFTON
I have been working as a veterinary technician since 2000. I attended Virginia Tech University where I received my bachelor's degree in animal science. Because of my strong interest in medicine, I am currently attending nursing school at Marymount University. When I am not studying or working I enjoy being outside hiking, kayaking, or horseback riding.

MORRIGAN CONDO
I was born in Washington DC and grew up right here in Vienna, Virginia. I've been a veterinary assistant for four years, and I am currently in school pursuing a career in veterinary medicine and research. I have three beautiful rescue cats, and as a lifelong singer and songwriter, I also enjoy performing benefit shows for local animal rescue organizations.