Welcome to Kearny Mesa Veterinary Center: Meet our great team!

Kearny Mesa Veterinary Center, 7677 Ronson Road, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92111; Telephone: 858 279-3000

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)

Our team

Craig Marvil, D.V.M.
Dr. Marvil grew up in the Pasadena, California area. He always had animals and began working in an animal hospital as soon as the veterinarians would let him. "I was too young to drive, so I got rides or took the bus to work." His most memorable moment was raising an abandoned collie puppy from two days of age, bottle feeding around the clock, and having it become a treasured family member.

Following graduation from the University of California at Davis, Dr. Marvil joined a multi-doctor practice in Covina, a suburb of Los Angeles. "It was a very busy practice with a large case load. I developed extensive experience in surgery and internal medicine." In 1975, he and his wife Joan, a special education teacher, moved to San Diego. His son and daughter were raised in San Diego. Bailey, their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, not only gets all the attention at home now, but comes to work each day and helps the receptionists behind the front counter.

Dr. Marvil formed Kearny Mesa Veterinary Center in 1998 by merging Dr. Broady's practice with his own. He serves as the Hospital Director. "I find veterinary medicine a constantly stimulating and exciting profession. I look forward to going to work each morning. It's not just the medicine, but the people I meet and the staff I work with, that make it rewarding."

Dr. Marvil is a past president of the San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association and has chaired the peer review committee for the association the last several years.

When not practicing medicine, Dr. Marvil enjoys bicycling, golf, skiing, scuba diving and underwater photography. "The whole family enjoys these activities and we have had some great experiences."

Brad Broady, D.V.M.
Dr. Broady is currently enjoying his well-deserved retirement.

Avi Shaprut, D.V.M.
Dr. Shaprut grew up in Long Island, New York. As a child I remember going with my father to the store. At the checkout counter I saw a rescue organization donation can with some disturbing animal pictures on them. Extremely saddened I turned to my father and asked if there was anything we could do to help. My father smiled at me and placed some money in the can. I remember feeling it wasn't enough. Not surprisingly, Dr. Shaprut became a veterinarian.

After graduating Michigan State University Veterinary School in 1998, Dr. Shaprut practiced in New York for 2 years. He spent the first year in a large, busy multi-doctor small animal/exotic practice then set out to expand his knowledge base by working in an emergency/specialty hospital. A year later he set out for the West Coast, and since 2000 has called San Diego home.

Since his relocation from the East Coast, Dr. Shaprut has had the opportunity to explore his interest in cardiology and ultrasonography. "I still find it amazing how the body cardiovascular system works and adapts to disease. The ability to see and hear the heart move in real-time is fascinating to me." In 2006 Dr. Shaprut successfully completed the University of California at Davis Ultrasound Fellowship. Dr. Shaprut has spent the past 9 years becoming an experienced cardiac and abdominal ultrasonographer.

Dr. Shaprut has 1 dog and 3 cats at home. While away from work, Dr. Shaprut enjoys going to the gym, playing pool, surfing, and traveling.

Dr. Emily Cross DVM, Nutritionalist
Dr. Emily Cross grew up in Syracuse NY. At the tender age of 5 she declared to her parents that she wanted to be a veterinarian. Wanting her to get a real world experience in animal care, her parents encouraged an externship at the Syracuse Zoo when she was 13. After shoveling up a lot of monkey poo all summer, she was still committed to veterinary medicine and her parents started to take her seriously!

She graduated in 2003 from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine as a member of the Phi Zeta honor society. She worked in a high volume general practice and referral hospital in Syracuse for 2 years before joining the team at Purina Veterinary Diets as a Veterinary Communications Manager in August 2005. Her special interests include nutrition, dermatology, and internal medicine. She says, "I love being able to help an animal who has been feeling sick without always having to reach for long term medications. Sometimes it is just as simple as the right diet change."

She greatly enjoys having left the cold Syracuse winters behind her and plays beach volleyball regularly. Her 2 cats, Vicky and Simon, and her 135 pound Bernese Mountain Dog (who thinks he’s a lap dog) keep her very busy!

Bailey Marvil, Demigod/Morale Director
Bailey's bio as told by one who is close to the little king.

Bailey Marvil, Demigod/Morale Director Bailey is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and a direct descendant of nobility. His ancestors were loyal companions to royalty for generations. A very sick patient when he first entered the hospital, he soon hatched his plot to become the real "power behind the throne".

It quickly became apparent to him that despite the number of patients usually hospitalized, the staff still had an excess amount of affection and attention to be dispersed. So he turned on the charm, which he well knows he has in excess proportion to his size.

He was content to be visited in his own personal suite, which the staff called isolation, though he certainly never felt isolated, so it must really have been more like the Presidential Suite at the Ritz Carlton. The service was great! They plied him with special food and toys, and took picture after picture of his wonderful physique with their x-ray machine. He knew he had them nearly in his grasp.

Ever so smoothly, he successfully ingratiated himself to them at every turn. He simpered, and kissed them, and played endlessly with them whenever they wanted. He knew he had won his goal, the day that Dr. Marvil's wife was finally introduced to him. Though Dr. Marvil, for his own reasons, had done his best to foil the plan, one Sunday the fates conspired and destiny could not be thwarted. Bailey's eyes met hers, and he could see that she was immediately smitten. He was pleased beyond measure; He knew that to be a confidant of the King's consort is traditionally a very powerful position. The rest, as they say, is history.

Now, if you wish to meet him, he is frequently at the hospital in the mornings where the loyal staff tends diligently to his every need and whim. A cheerful and benevolent soul, he greets everyone who comes into the hospital with a grin and a happily wagging tail. He will be happy to gaze upon you from the royal daybed (which he drags from spot to spot behind the desk in order to gain the best views) and perhaps bestow a kiss or two, if he's not too tired from being totally winsome. And if there is some special consideration you might desire, he loves Lean Treats Rewards (he also likes paper clips and sticky notes, but they take them all away as soon as he finds them, the spoilsports).

Casey Sanders, Practice Manager
Personal quote: "Life is a journey, not a destination."

Casey entered the field of veterinary medicine in 1971 when she began by volunteering at the small animal hospital where her mother worked part time as a receptionist. She wanted to be a large animal veterinarian. Prior to coming to work for KMVC in January of 2000, Casey was Office Manager at VCA Emergency Animal Hospital and Referral Center in Mission Valley for 9 years.

There have been short gigs in non veterinary fields, but "the CEO of the oil company didn't appreciate the basket of small mallard ducks as much as I did" so Casey always found her way back to her calling. Apparently her mission in life has been to care for the voiceless creatures of the earth. As she puts it, "if I don't find them, they always find me."

She lives on almost an acre in a funky old house in Crest, which fortunately survived the firestorm of 2003. She has 2 rescue dogs, a pride of cats, and a flotilla of goldfish that occupy 4 ponds. She loves creating windows and decorative art with kiln-formed glass as a hobby.

Jessica Lau, Technician Assistant

Jessica Lau is a Technicians Assistant here at KMVC, having joined the team in 2007. Originally from the bay area, she moved here from San Leandro in 2004 to attend college. She says she loves the sunny weather and beach atmosphere here. She attends UCSD, majoring in Animal Physiology and Neurosciences with a minor in psychology. She will graduate in 2008, and hopes to continue to gain more experience with animals, while in pursuit of her dream of becoming a veterinarian.

Her big lovable Golden Retriever, Chuckles, is still in San Leandro. However, she has a sweet hamster named Paul that was a gift from her boyfriend. In her spare time she enjoys swimming, traveling, cooking, eating, and anything that gets her away from the stress of being a college student.

Tyler McGuckin, RVT
Tyler originally started with KMVC in July of 2004 as an assistant. He grew up in South Lake Tahoe, where his growing intolerance of constant snow pretty much destined him for a life in Southern California. He escaped to UCSD, earning his bachelor’s degree in animal physiology and neuroscience in 2004. Tyler was a great employee, quick learning and through. Then in September of 2006 he was forced by circumstance to move back to Lake Tahoe. Once there, he worked at a very busy multiple doctor practice, and got his Certified Veterinary Technician license in Nevada. Our loss was their gain, and we whined a lot when we heard. But wait, the saga continued to unfold and lo, he came back to us in April of 2007, having found the snow no less annoying and the small town pace stifling. Shortly thereafter he passed his boards and became Registered Veterinary Technician in California. Lucky us, and no more whining! He is now our lead technician and no one cares more about the little beings under their care then he.

He lives in a shoe box sized apartment in Hill Crest with his two cats Phoenix and Sphinx and he couldn’t be happier. A technophile, Tyler understands computers, MP3 players, and anything digital and is willing to share his knowledge freely with the rest of us.

Edith Heaton, RVT

Edith started at KMVC in mid 2007 and is a valuable asset to the practice. Born and raised in Mexico, she graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. She has worked with a wide variety of animals since starting in the field in 1989, and has been working in the United States since 2000. Her passion is outpatient service because it gives her the feeling that she is helping not only the patients, but also the clients.

The fact that Edith is bi-lingual has really helped to improve our communication with our Spanish speaking clients and as if that wasn’t enough, Edith is also versed in American Sign Language!

Raising 2 boys keeps Edith busy. She loves spending time with her children, especially during the holidays, baking, and traveling with her kids. Her attention to detail, intelligence and grace make her are real asset to the practice.

Michelle Wilber, Technician

Michelle has been a technician for over 8 yrs, she has worked with both small and large animals. She has a particular interest in internal medicine, neurology, emergency, and critical care, and in her spare time enjoys reading case studies. Michelle has 4 cats, Annabelle, Tabitha, Misty, and Oscar and one dog-a miniature schnauzer names Miles, who survived a liver shunt surgery and now sports a purple mohawk.

Tiffany Caughey, Technician Assistant

Tiffany came to KMVC as a spring intern from UCSD in 2007, where she’s a 4th year physiology and neuroscience major. Somehow things escalated until she found herself on the payroll, working wherever we could use her. Smart, quick and caring, she does whatever is asked of her and is wonderful with the animals. She volunteers at the animal shelter, and works to get rabbits ready for adoption. She knows her future lies somewhere in an animal related field.

Valorie Austin, Technician Assistant

Valorie grew up in Smyrna Tennessee. She has loved animals, especially cats, all her life and wanted to work in veterinary medicine as long as she can remember. After moving to San Diego in 2006, she held a few “boring" jobs until she finally got her wish and started working at KMVC in spring of 2007.

Valorie plans to become an RVT, and would eventually like to foster cats when she can get a big enough place. In her personal time she enjoys comedy, reading, HTML, and she loves Disneyland. She and her boyfriend currently have 3 cats and Val is sure she will be a crazy cat lady when she’s older. She cares for the patients on weekends, and makes sure that everyone gets walked, played with, and loved while they are staying in the hospital.

“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animal" – Immanual Kant

Kari Burris, Client Care Representative

Kari is a small town girl from Ohio. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Anthony, who is serving in the United States Navy. Her husband is currently stationed in Coronado. Since childhood Kari has loved animals, she dreamed of one day making animal care a career.
Over the years Kari changed her career goals and excelled in the retail field. Just recently by working at Kearny Mesa Veterinary Center as a receptionist has Kari's love for animals been renewed, reminding her of her original career choice. With the renewed drive, Kari is planning to go to school and become a Veterinary Technician. With the new education in the animal care field Kari hopes to stay with Kearny Mesa Veterinary Center and fill one of those positions or even work at the San Diego Zoo.
Kari and her husband have two cats, a grey short haired and an orange persian mix. Lilly and Tessa are their names and they are like two sisters constantly fighting. Lilly was born in February of 2004 and Tessa in January of 2007. The two of them are like night and day. Lilly is prissy and intelligent while Tessa is rambunctious and childish. So you can see how Kari and Anthony have their hands full all the time with the two fur children.
You can recognize Kari by her brilliant blue eyes and great smile!

Amy Kube, Client Care Representative

Amy Kube is a client care representative here at KMVC. Amy was raised in Battle Creek Michigan, later moved to Omaha Nebraska, and now lives here in San Diego. She is married to her high school sweetheart Zach who serves in the United States Navy aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. Amy is also attending college to become a registered nurse. She enjoys going to the beach, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her husband and pets. Amy has one dog named Kirra who is an adorable mutt, a Siamese cat named Timon and cute domestic short hair Nala. They are all a handful, but with such a big heart for animals, she loves every minute she spends with them.