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. Tired 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, hiking, traveling, jewelry making and fused glass.

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.

DR. LYDIA MEGREMIS
I was born and raised in Indiana. I attended Purdue University and received my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from there. Shortly after graduation, I moved to the Northern Virginia area and have been living and practicing in the area since then. Recently I completed the Canine Physical Rehabilitation course work through the University of Tennessee Veterinary school. I enjoy helping patients recover after orthopedic surgery and treating other orthopedic conditions as well neurological problems. I share my life with my husband, son, a crazy cat and a golden retriever. In my spare time I enjoy reading, cooking, bird-watching, hiking and learning to knit.

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.

ALEJANDRA 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.

MEGAN DAVISON
I was born and raised in southern New Hampshire and moved to Virginia 6 years ago due to my husband’s job. I received a BA in Biology from the University of Delaware and I am currently working on a degree in Veterinary Technology at Northern Virginia Community College. My husband and I have a dog, Maize, and two cats, Sierra and Opie. In my spare time I enjoy running, camping and hiking.

CHELLY PARK
I was born in Korea and raised in Japan for five years before moving to Virginia. I recently graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in Animal and Poultry Sciences. I am happiest when I’m working alongside animals, both large and small. I also volunteer to work with injured and orphaned raccoons at Dogue Hollow Wildlife Sanctuary. During my free time, I enjoy riding my bike, spending time with my family, and playing with my goldendoodle, Tobo, and my three lovely rats!

MALORIE TRUDELL
I was born and raised in Michigan, but recently moved to the Virginia. I graduated college in Michigan with a degree in Liberal Arts and currently working towards my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, to hopefully one day be able to do Animal Assisted Therapy. I have a 10 year old Cocker Spaniel mix named Hailey and an 18 month old American Bulldog named Ammo. I am currently working with him to become Certified Therapy Dog. I enjoy spending time at the beach, reading, traveling and spending time with my fur children.

COURTNEY MARSELLE
I was born and raised in Maryland and moved to Virginia shortly after graduating from Virginia Tech. I have a BS in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise but my love for animals has lead me to work for a veterinary hospital. I have a beagle dachshund mix named Maddie who is very hyper and loving. In my free time I love to read, go to the movies, spend time with my family and I am also in the process of planning my wedding.

ROBERT WILDES
I was born and raised in Memphis, TN. I attended nursing school at Ole Miss. I also spent 5 years in the Army as a parachute rigger, which is what eventually brought me to the DC area. I decided to stay here because of the diverse oppurtunities in this area. I completed my BS in Biology from George Mason University in 2007 with plans to attend Vet school in the future.My heart belongs to my two labs, my little maltese mix (who is really a lab on the inside), and various other rescue animals that I have fostered in the last couple of years. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, hiking, camping, biking, and anything that keeps me outdoors.

SHAWNA DAY
I was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. I have lived in several different states and moved back to the NOVA area a year ago. I have worked in "Human Medicine" for the past 12 years and only recently made the decision to make a switch to care for animals. I am owned by Rocks, the friendly feline. When I am not working, I enjoy cooking, day trips, festivals of different varieties, fishing, hiking, camping, amongst other outdoor activities.