Learn more about our Board of Directors

Matt Dowling DVM, MS, DACVIM (he/him)

PRESIDENT

I am the staff medical oncologist at VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists. I moved to Portland and started working at NWVS shortly after finishing my residency at the University of Illinois in 2018. I’ve been a member of PVMA since that time and have loved participating in and leading activities and CEs sponsored by this organization. I am eager to become more involved with the PVMA and give back to the veterinary community in Portland as much as I am able. I’d like to continue to grow the variety of CE opportunities provided by this organization and to continue to ensure accessibility to these programs by all who are interested. In addition to providing opportunities to keeping knowledge base current, I would like to increase CEs focusing on communication in the workplace, compassion fatigue, and physical and mental wellness in our profession.

Kazuki Ueki DVM (he/him)

President- Elect & Director of EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

My name is Kazuki Ueki and I am currently an associate veterinarian at Fremont Veterinary Clinic. Prior to my current position, I was a staff emergency veterinarian at VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists for 5 years. I have been a member of the PVMA since moving to Portland in 2013. I have always enjoyed all the events and CE opportunities that the PVMA has offered and I am now looking forward to being a bigger part of this wonderful organization so that I can give back to my community that has taken such good care of me.

Alexandra Moore DVM (she/her)

Treasurer

I have been an active member of the PVMA for the past 6 years since moving to Portland. This organization has been a very important part of my professional and personal life, and I look forward to getting to know more of the members and helping to make the the many offered programs a success as part of the Board. I am a full time veterinarian for dogs, cats and exotics animals. In my spare time I like to paddle board and hike with my tiny Pomeranian, paint animal portraits, and of course go out to eat and drink in this awesome city!



Kate Hilsenteger DVM (she/her)

Director of Continuing Education Programs

I moved to Portland area in 2007 after graduating from Texas A&M and never returned to Austin as planned. Over the years, I am continuously impressed by the support, community, and continuing education available through the PVMA, and I want to give back to this organization as a PVMA Board Director. Participating in the OVMA Power of 10 group in 2016-17, helping to facilitate the OVMA Power of 10 2017-18 group, and attending AVMA VLC in 2018 inspired me to seek a more active role in organized veterinary medicine so I can support my colleagues, and continue improving the profession for future veterinarians. In my current role at Banfield, I oversee a diverse group of talented veterinarians in Oregon and Washington by providing mentorship, side by side coaching, and communication development. I am passionate about improving doctor wellbeing, and I hope to bring that level of care and servant leadership to the PVMA as a Board Director. Thank you, and I appreciate your consideration.

Kate Hooper DVM (she/her)

Director of Membership

I am a native of Portland, went to Oregon State University for veterinary school, and completed an Emergency/Critical Care internship at DoveLewis. I have been practicing in the Vancouver and Portland area for about 10 years, recently transitioning from corporate practice to a privately owned practice in SE (Brooklyn Yard Veterinary Hospital). I have a particular interest in Fear Free practice, cooperative care, puppy socialization, and behavior management.

I have been the president of the board of directors of Whole Dog Academy (WDA) since 2013. WDA is a non-profit organization that focuses on promoting the canine-human bond through education about force-free training. In this position, I have been responsible for board leadership and management, organized major events including fundraisers and educational conferences, developed community programs, and served as the academic coordinator for WDA’s state-licensed dog trainer education program. I am excited to bring the skills and experience I have gained in my work with WDA to the PVMA board and give back to our veterinary community. I have been a member of the PVMA since 2012. I participated in the first Power of Ten class through PVMA and would like to help this program evolve and continue to provide support to newer graduates. I am so thankful for all that the PVMA offers us, and look forward to helping make its programs even better.

Jamie Cheshier DVM (she/her)

Board Director- Practice Owner Support Programs

I’m a mid-career small animal practitioner in private practice at Mountainside Veterinary Hospital.  I earned my MBA in Healthcare Administration from Portland State/OHSU while working full-time during the pandemic. I’ve been a consistent community-builder throughout my career, creating connections and encouraging collaboration at all levels of practice. As veterinary medicine continues to change and evolve, I welcome the opportunity to be an analytical voice on emerging trends. I’m interested in paradigm shifts like the pivot towards offering a spectrum of care, the idea of incorporating mid-level practitioners, the role of AI, and the impact of pet insurance, to name a few. Despite these many changes, I strongly believe our people remain our strongest asset. Veterinary professionals are some of the most intelligent, driven, and compassionate individuals I’ve ever known!

Megan Seekins DVM, DACVECC (she/her)

Board Director

I received my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University followed by a small animal emergency focused internship and a private practice residency in Emergency and Critical Care before receiving my Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2012. My special interests include respiratory emergencies, CPR and pain and anesthetic management of critical trauma patients. I have a special passion for teaching and provide continuing education in emergency and critical care medicine for both veterinarians and veterinary technicians. I am a strong advocate for mental health and well-being in the workplace, as well as building an environment of excellent medical quality, inclusivity, and diversity, and a just culture. I believe that we work best when we are our authentic selves and encourage team members to remember why we found our way to veterinary medicine- to help pets and as a result, help people.
 
Outside of veterinary medicine, I enjoy traveling, art, wine tasting and all things music, particularly my eclectic vinyl collection. I am also known to love laughing and am often heard doing this throughout the hospital.

Amanda Veatch DVM (she/her)

PAST PRESIDENT

I have been a part of the veterinary community in Portland for the last 13 years, formerly in a large emergency/multi-specialty practice and now in general practice. I have been a member of the PVMA for the entirety of that time and am grateful that our local community has such a strong organization and membership. As our profession continues to adapt and change with time, I want to become more directly involved with the PVMA and especially ensure that independent practices continue to have a voice and representation. I look forward to being an advocate for my colleagues and our profession.

Cristina Keef (she/her)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, 2006-CURRENT

“I love the PVMA. I am so grateful to work for such passionate and generous people and a community I care for and believe in so much. We strive to make the lives of our members less stressful, more supported, and as efficient as possible. We also work hard to be a partner within our animal welfare and pet-loving community and an innovative member of the veterinary profession”

I was raised in Junction City, Oregon, a small farming town just north of Eugene, south of Corvallis best known for the annual Scandinavian Festival. Like many of us who end up working with animals as adults, I constantly ‘rescued’ any I could, easy to do when people would drop them off regularly at our house in the country. My dad and I built more animal enclosures than I could count to house the dogs, cats, doves, rabbits, a pygmy goat, squirrels, hamsters, rats, 3 sheep raised for FFA!

When I was 14, I was required to do a half day job shadow and naturally chose our family veterinarian, a mixed animal solo practitioner who was nearing retirement. A week or two later, they called to offer me a job. By the time I was 16, I spent more time there than at school (but was still an excellent student!). When the practice was sold, things changed dramatically, going from a relatively quiet hobby practice to a 3+ doctor small animal/exotics/wildlife practice and boy was it fun! The reputations of our new owners from out of state proceeded them and we became a VERY busy practice and saw just about everything. I am very fortunate to have grown up in such a diverse practice and have very fond memories of the late nights and unique experiences. I regularly volunteered for Feral Cat Coalition mobile clinics and local wildlife rehab centers throughout high school as well.

After graduating from high school, I continued working full time while commuting to Oregon State University. About a year later, I moved to Portland not knowing anyone, one of the best decisions I ever made! After working at two small animal practices and attending Portland State, I took a year away from veterinary medicine to work at a lifestyle branding (marketing) agency owned by one of my pet sitting clients. It was a tremendous learning opportunity and a fun change of pace. Unfortunately, the company had some difficulties and as I was exploring my options, I received a call from Dr. Steve Kochis, the then outgoing PVMA president and friend, telling me about the PVMA Executive Director position being available. Shortly after, I interviewed and was hired in April 2006. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. My love of the PVMA and Portland veterinary community only continues to grow stronger. I am so very fortunate to be a part of it and hope to continue to be for many years to come!

I continue to volunteer for a number of local organizations, including assisting with the care and training of puppies that are part of the Coffee Creek Puppy Program. I enjoy taking care of my home, garden, 4 chickens, 1 cat and 1 dog as well as traveling, photography, crafts, kayaking, hiking and all the other lovely things the Northwest has to offer.

Lynda Nielsen (she/her)

COMMUNICATION & PARTNER RELATIONSHIP MANAGER, 2023-CURRENT

I am a Pacific Northwest native who grew up in SW Washington and obtained my degree in Applied Visual Arts at Oregon State University. Yep, I am a Beaver fan and proud of it! I started my career working in the Portland metro area designing various creative projects but kept hoping to find my dream job where I could be surrounded by animals.

After returning from a yearlong overseas adventure, I made the life altering decision to finally pursue my interest in working with animals and accepted a reception position working at a small one doctor veterinary clinic in NE Portland. The last 20+ years in the veterinary field has been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. I am grateful to have worked for the Portland Veterinary Medical Association, a non-profit veterinary hospital in NW Portland, an emergency & specialty hospital in Vancouver and helped launch a brand-new 24-hour emergency & specialty hospital in NE Portland.

I have especially enjoyed working in collaborative environments and am delighted to have another opportunity to work with the PVMA. I look forward to contributing my creativity, problem-solving skills and organization talents to support our local veterinary community.

Outside of work, I love exploring small towns along the coast, walking forest paths that lead to nowhere in particular and riding motorcycles. I can frequently be found with two wheels on the street or in the dirt and the red rocks and desert terrain of Moab, Utah is particularly fascinating while aboard my trusty Kawasaki KLX.

I currently live in Vancouver, Washington with my husband and four-legged family members. Life just wouldn’t be complete without my dogs, Miss Josie (Pomeranian/Shihtzu mix) and Lexifer (Rottweiler), and my entertaining red tabby cats, Redford and Newman.