BOARD CERTIFIED—INTERNAL MEDICINE

Dr. Block obtained his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 1991. He then completed an internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston in 1992. He obtained his residency training in internal medicine at Purdue University and became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1994. Dr. Block pursued his interests in animal welfare and the human–animal bond by entering a degree program at the Center for Animals and Public Policy at Tufts University, where he obtained his Master’s Degree in 1997. Dr. Block is the past president of the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association, the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics, the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, and the Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Association. He was a founding board member and Treasurer for 10 years of the non-profit Companion Animal Foundation, which helps to provide reduced-cost veterinary care for those in need. He has a particular interest in increasing access to veterinary care and veterinary ethics and enjoys teaching young veterinarians through our longstanding internship and residency programs.

He is the father of two beautiful children, Elsa and Derek, and happily married to his equally beautiful wife, veterinarian Justine Johnson. His “extended family” includes four horses, two goats, two dogs, and three cats, some of which his beautiful children actually help to care for.

BOARD CERTIFIED—SMALL ANIMAL SURGERY

After completing his undergraduate degree in Biology at Northeastern University in 1993 Dr. Besancon attended veterinary school at Iowa State University, completing his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1997. Dr. Besancon then completed a one-year rotating internship in Small animal Medicine and Surgery, and a two year surgical internship in Small Animal Surgery at VCA South Shore in Weymouth, MA. He then returned to Iowa State University for a year-long Orthopedic Fellowship, followed by a 3-year Small Animal Surgical Residency at the University of California-Davis to complete his formal surgical training. In 2005 he completed his board certification, becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Specializing in the practice of small animal surgery, Dr. Besancon provides care to pets suffering from a variety of diseases and conditions. He has been trained in and enjoys all aspects of surgery.

In his down time Dr. Besancon enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, along with their Golden retriever. He enjoys golfing, fishing, painting, and spending as much time as possible in the woods of Maine.

Dr. Laurie Monhait is originally from Delaware and completed her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Haverford College, outside of Philadelphia, PA. She then went on to complete her veterinary training at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2011. After veterinary school, she completed a rotating internship at VCA South Shore in Weymouth, MA, and a specialty internship in internal medicine and critical care at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston, TX. She then returned to the New England area to complete her internal medicine residency at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, MA. In 2016, Dr. Monhait relocated to Rhode Island to join the Internal Medicine team at Ocean State. Dr. Monhait enjoys all parts of Internal Medicine but has a special interest in endocrine diseases and gastrointestinal disorders.

Outside of work, Dr. Monhait enjoys spending time with her human family and furry family (a cat and a dog). Additionally, she enjoys running, hiking, cooking, exploring restaurants, and spending time with friends.

BOARD CERTIFIED – RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Dr. Kevin Ware’s passion for animals started with his first best friend Samantha, a rescue Doberman. Later, his love for marine mammals cultivated his interest in all animals. Dr. Kevin Ware completed his DVM degree from Louisiana State University in 2010. In 2011, he completed a yearlong internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Red Bank, NJ. During his internship, Dr. Ware’s experience in medical and radiation oncology continued to develop. His zeal for oncology led Dr. Ware to complete a three-year radiation oncology residency at MedVet Medical & Cancer Center for Pets in Columbus, Ohio. With years of experience, education, and a board certification under his belt, Dr. Ware worked at a specialty and emergency veterinary hospital in Connecticut and Pennsylvania for several years before joining Bay State Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Services.

Dr. Sara Wilkes graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. She went on to complete a 1-year rotating internship at BluePearl North Hills in Pittsburgh PA followed by a 3-year internal medicine residency at BluePearl Maitland in Orlando, FL. She is thrilled to be working at both OSVS and BSVESS. Her main interests include gastroenterology, kidney disease, and autoimmune conditions.

When she is not at the clinic, Dr. Wilkes enjoys hiking, reading (especially fantasy and historical fiction), traveling, and spending time with her cat, Gabby.

BOARD CERTIFIED – ONCOLOGY

Dr. Koterbay was the Chief Clinician of the oncology service at the University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland. Dr. Koterbay developed the oncology department into a separate service with patient numbers increasing 350% at the University College of Dublin. In addition to clinical work, she was in charge of the instruction of veterinary students, interns and residents. She received her Master’s degree at Auburn University and Veterinary degree at the University of Glasgow. She completed a small animal rotating internship at Hickory Veterinary hospital and continued on to complete her residency in small animal medical oncology at Michigan State University. She has been a member of the Veterinary Cancer Society since 2010. Dr. Koterbay has been awarded Diplomate status from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology).

BOARD CERTIFIED—RADIOLOGY

Dr. Newell completed her veterinary degree at the University of Minnesota in 1989. She then completed an internship at the Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in 1990. Her residency training was obtained at the University of Georgia and she became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Radiology in 1994. She served as an Assistant Professor and Co-Section Head of Radiology at the University of Florida for five years before joining the staff of OSVS in 2000.

Dr. Newell has published numerous journal articles and has lectured on many topics in diagnostic imaging at veterinary schools and veterinary conferences. In her free time, she enjoys raising vizslas and border terriers, growing bonsai and gardening, and chasing little white balls around pretty grassy fields.

BOARD CERTIFIED – SMALL ANIMAL SUEGERY

Dr. Lori Agulian, DVM, DACVS is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). Raised in Connecticut, Dr. Agulian earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology-Psychology at Tufts University before attending Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her residency in Small Animal Surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and achieved board certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Her professional interests include laparoscopic procedures, surgical oncology, and emergency soft tissue surgeries. In addition to her surgical expertise, Dr. Agulian has a passion for photography and enjoys capturing the beauty around her.

BOARD CERTIFIED—INTERNAL MEDICINE

Dr. Caylie Voudren hails from the great state of Texas, where she earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and veterinary degrees at Texas A&M. After veterinary school, Dr. Voudren completed a rotating internship at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, followed by residency at Kansas State University, where she became board-certified in internal medicine. In her search for an environment, she could enjoy both inside and outside of the hospital, Dr. Voudren stumbled across the hidden gem that is Rhode Island, and the rest is history!

Dr. Voudren’s interest in internal medicine first sparked in graduate school, when her Shih Tzu, Romy, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. This experience helps Dr. Voudren to connect with her clients and form relationships built on empathy, patience, and trust.

Dr. Voudren’s favorite thing about internal medicine is its wide variety of disease processes, making every day new and interesting. She especially loves a good challenge, including cases that are hard to crack or don’t play by the rules.

Dr. Voudren’s personal life takes on a similar theme outside of the hospital, with an ever-expanding collection of hobbies, from exploring the outdoors to various arts and crafts. Her best friend is a German Shepherd named Monty, who enjoys training and participating in dog sports. She also has a Persian named Ophelia, who she jokes is more Monty’s cat than hers.

BOARD CERTIFIED—DERMATOLOGY

Carolyn Emery, DVM, DACVD, is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. Dr. Emery attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She then attended the St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, where she earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Her clinical year was done at Cornell University. Dr. Emery completed a rotating internship at the New England Animal Medical Center in West Bridgewater, MA. In addition, she completed two dermatology internships at the Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston, TX, and at the Pittsburgh Veterinary and Specialty Emergency Center in Pittsburgh, PA. She then completed a Dermatology Residency at the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in Davis, CA.

Dr. Emery was born and raised in Falmouth, MA. She has a special interest in chronically infected ears, autoimmune and infectious diseases. Her resident project was to manage ears with steroid ear cleaners to prevent surgery. She hopes to manage patients’ allergies and other skin/ear diseases long-term at Bay State Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Services. Dr. Emery shares her time at Cape Cod Specialties, Buzzards Bay, and Dennis facilities, as well as Bay State Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Services.

Dr. Lindsey Lavin, DVM, DACVS, was raised in the Boston suburbs. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior from The University of New England and subsequently attended Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Lavin completed a rotating internship at VCA South Shore in Weymouth, MA. Followed by surgical internships at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ, and New England Animal Medical Center in West Bridgewater, MA. Dr. Lavin completed a Small Animal Surgery residency at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in East Greenwich, RI.

Dr. Lavin enjoys all aspects of surgery but has a particular interest in emergency soft tissue and orthopedic procedures. In her personal time, she enjoys dancing, hiking, and spending time with her husband and their two cats.

Dr. Kornevi originally comes from Sweden where her love for horses took her to veterinary school. She completed her veterinary degree at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh in 2022, along with an intercalated Master’s degree in clinical animal behavior at the University of Lincoln in 2020. After veterinary school, she completed a rotating internship at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic and Referral Center in Toronto, Canada where her love for critical care developed. She completed a 3-year residency in Emergency and Critical Care in 2026.

Dr. Kornevi’s interests include sepsis, trauma, coagulopathies, point-of-care ultrasound and reducing patient stress during hospitalization. Outside of the ICU, Dr. Kornevi enjoys spending time with her wife, Dr. Splittstoesser, and together explore live music, nature, travel and plant-based delicacies. Together they have one cat (just one for now!). She’s excited and equally scared to learn how to sail in the Ocean State!

Dr. Splittstoesser started her veterinary career as a certified veterinary technician where her passion for patient care and advocacy started. After working as a CVT in the intensive care unit and emergency room for many years, she then went on to pursue her veterinary degree. She graduated from University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. She completed a year-long rotating internship at Cornell University in 2023. She then went on to a 3-year residency in emergency and critical care completed at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in 2026. Dr. Splittstoesser’s professional interests include trauma, ICU patient management, sepsis, teaching, and advancement of veterinary medicine through literature-based medicine and research.

Dr. Splittstoesser and her wife (Dr. Kornevi of OSVS/BSVESS) enjoy the outdoors, traveling, trying new plant-based restaurants and foods including cooking recipes from all over the globe, music, and being a part of community events. They have one cat. Though Dr. Splittstoesser loves all creatures, she has a special love for cats, even the sassy ones.