Jessica Lovegrove, DVM

president

Dr. Jessica Lovegrove is a relief veterinarian currently based in Tennessee and a 2019 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She practiced in Texas for eight months before the COVID-19 pandemic led her to transition into relief veterinary medicine.

Dr. Lovegrove strongly believes that relief practice is a viable and rewarding path for veterinarians and that relief veterinarians bring significant value to the profession. She is also passionate about supporting and encouraging newer relief veterinarians who may be hesitant to take the leap or are seeking guidance on questions she herself faced early in her career.

Kim Cross, DVM

vice president & director of communications

 Dr. Kim Cross is a small animal general practice veterinarian who earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. Born and raised in Texas, Dr. Cross began her veterinary career in rural mixed animal practice before transitioning to corporate small animal general practice.

In 2014, Dr. Cross relocated to Maryland with her husband, a former United States Air Force servicemember. Following the move, she practiced small animal medicine in a private practice setting and later expanded her professional scope to include small animal general practice relief services and veterinary telehealth.

Dr. Cross currently resides in Maryland with her husband, their three young sons, and their cat.

Jennifer Algarín, DVM

treasurer

Dr. Jennifer Algarín is a licensed small animal relief veterinarian practicing in Georgia and Alabama. She earned her undergraduate degree from Purdue University and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2017. Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dr. Algarín is now based in Auburn, Alabama.

Dr. Algarin is dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate veterinary care and has professional interests in preventative medicine, dermatology, and client education. Dr. Algarín strongly values client education as a cornerstone of effective veterinary care, believing that informed pet owners are essential to maintaining optimal pet health and well-being. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her family.

Lauren Geiger, DVM

state advocacy chair

Dr. Lauren Geiger was born and raised in New York, New York. She completed her undergraduate studies at the State University of New York at Binghamton, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Dr. Geiger received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University in 2005 and completed her clinical training at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Geiger brings a diverse professional background, having worked as an associate veterinarian in private practice as well as serving as a medical director for a large corporate veterinary organization. In 2020, she transitioned into relief veterinary medicine and founded her own business, providing support to veterinary hospitals across Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and New York.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Dr. Geiger enjoys hiking, skiing, traveling, exploring diverse cuisine, and attending live music events.

Leslie Avery, DVM

secretary & member benefits chair

Dr. Leslie Avery is a 2009 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and currently practices in Ohio. She began her career in mixed animal practice before transitioning to emergency medicine in 2014. While practicing as an emergency veterinarian, she continued to work occasional daytime general practice shifts as an independent contractor, which provided a strong foundation for her move to full-time relief work in 2021.

Since transitioning, Dr. Avery has rediscovered her passion for veterinary medicine and values the ability to achieve a fulfilling work-life balance. She finds great satisfaction in supporting other veterinarians in doing the same, a role that has become one of the most rewarding aspects of her relief veterinary practice.

Teresa Wind, DVM

continuing education chair

Dr. Teresa Wind earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Texas A&M University in 2017. Based in Texas, she has been providing general practice relief services since 2022, embracing the dynamic challenges of relief medicine and the opportunity to collaborate with a variety of veterinary hospitals.

Outside of her professional work, Dr. Wind enjoys traveling, hiking, and scuba diving with her husband.

Anne Rodriguez, DVM

event coordinator chair

Dr. Anne Rodriguez is a small animal veterinarian licensed in Maryland and New York. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY College at Oneonta and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University in 2012, completing her clinical year at North Carolina State University, where she met her husband, also a veterinarian. The couple now resides in Maryland, where they are raising their three children.

After several years in private practice, Dr. Rodriguez transitioned to relief veterinary work in 2015, embracing the flexibility and diverse professional opportunities it provides. Outside of her veterinary career, she enjoys traveling and exploring culinary experiences.

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