I am a native Nashvillian, and I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian since kindergarten. As the daughter of an attorney, I once told my mom that I would gladly get up in the middle of the night to help an animal in need, but NOT to bail someone out of jail!

While my interest in veterinary medicine was long-standing, I did not take a linear path to veterinary school. I obtained my undergraduate degree in natural resources from Sewanee—The University Of The South in Tennessee.

After graduation, I moved to the Atlanta area where I worked as a construction subcontractor. One day, while working on a job site, I realized time was running out to pursue my dream of being a veterinarian. So, I took additional courses needed for veterinary school while working full time, and applied to the University of Georgia—and the rest is history.

Upon graduating with my DVM, I moved back to Atlanta, where I worked in emergency medicine, general practice, and relief work before answering my father’s pleas of “come home, Lucy” and returning to my native Tennessee to raise my family. I spent time working at a mobile spay-neuter clinic providing services to low-income families in underserved areas, and it was some of the most rewarding work I have done.

I developed an interest and passion for end-of-life care after "hospicing" both of my parents. Through that process, I came to understand what a rare gift veterinarians have to be able to alleviate end-of-life suffering for animals humanely and with dignity. The last kind thing we can do for our devoted companions, who love us unconditionally, is to ease their suffering gently in a comfortable place with the people they love. It is an honor and a privilege to do this work.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband—we met in vet school and have been married for more than 30 years—and our three adult children. I am an avid reader and love hiking, knitting, being outside, landscaping my tiny urban yard into a pollinator haven, and—my newest hobby—beekeeping with my husband.

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