Meet the Staff

Kaitlyn M., Practice Manager

North Carolina native, Kaitlyn moved to the tri-state area three years ago. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. With always having an interest in veterinary medicine, Kaitlyn has worked as a veterinary assistant at a couple small general practices working with dogs and cats.

Kaitlyn has two cats, Smokey (an angel) and Hammy (a mouthy, energetic, spirited kitten). In her free time Kaitlyn enjoys weightlifting, relaxing by the pool, watching SpongeBob, and eating Mexican food.

Heather K., Technician Supervisor

Courtney H., LVT

Courtney is a Delaware native. She attended Delaware Technical and Community College where she graduated with an associate degree in veterinary technology. She became a licensed technician in 2008. She has worked in a few small animal practices. She has a special interest in surgery and orthopedics. Courtney lives with her husband Alan, son Rex, and cat Beep. In her spare time, Courtney enjoys outdoor activities, fishing, going to the beach, working in her garden, and spending time with her family and friends.

Madelyn H., Vet Assistant

Madelyn has been a veterinary assistant since spring of 2021. She is currently enrolled at Del Tech full time and is hopeful of being accepted into the veterinary technician program in the future. She lives with her 3 animals: Sully, an English Black Lab; Biebs, a fat Orange Tabby, and Beyoncé, a Black Domestic Shorthair. When she’s not at work she likes to spend her free time with her pets, working out, and watching sports with her family.

Nicole S., Vet Assistant

Nicole is a graduate from the University of Delaware where she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Pre-Veterinary Medicine and she is currently enrolled in school to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. For the past four years Nicole has worked in general practice, working her way up from reception to veterinary assistant. This is where she learned various technician skills and found her passion in caring for animals.

Outside of work Nicole likes to spend time with her family & friends, snuggle up with her two Tri-Pod kitties, watch Netflix, and play recreational volleyball.

Mary Ellen M., Client Service Representative

With more than 15 years of experience in veterinary client services, Mary Ellen provides compassionate and comprehensive support to pets and their owners. She resides here in Wilmington with her feline friend, Asher—a super-snuggly brown tabby. Mary Ellen says the best part of her role at FSUV is “believing that I can make a positive difference in the world, by helping our clients keep their pets healthy and happy.”

Jennifer L., Vet Assistant

Jennifer realized her love for animals at a very young age and has been working in veterinary medicine since 2016. Jen started as a veterinary receptionist and has worked her way up to a technician knowledgeable in general practice, surgery, emergency and exotics. She is a compassionate and motivated animal advocate that loves finding ways to help people and their pets. She currently has three dogs and three cats with the most recent additions being two kittens she rescued from the streets. During her free time she enjoys paintball, traveling, going to new restaurants and spending time with her furry friends and family.

Eileen V., Client Service Representative

Eileen graduated from Wilmington University with a master’s degree in psychology. Her love of animals has brought her into the veterinary field where she has been working for the last 8 years. Eileen currently has 4 dogs, a 10 year old American Staffordshire Terrier named Zero, an 8 year old American Bully named Flower, a 6 years old Staffy-Jack Russel Mix named Sparky, and a 8 month old Lurcher named Hip Hop.

In Eileen’s free time she competes and does dog training. She and her canine companions compete in agility, flyball, dock-diving, barn hunt, and lure racing.

Sam W., VRCE

Sam W. serves as a dedicated Client Services Representative at First State Urgent Vet, where her passion for animal care and client satisfaction is evident in every interaction. With a unique educational background, Sam holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theater, specializing in Stage Management, which she earned in 2020. Her journey into the veterinary field was serendipitous; shortly after graduation, she began working as a receptionist at a modest general practice in Connecticut. There, she honed her skills for three years, mastering the art of client communication and developing a deep understanding of pet owner needs.

In August 2023, Sam made a significant move to North Wilmington, where she joined the team at First State Urgent Vet. Her commitment to her role was further solidified in November of the same year when she achieved her Veterinary Receptionist Certificate of Excellence (VRCE), officially becoming a certified veterinary receptionist.

Away from the front desk, Sam indulges in her love for cooking and unwinds by watching episodes of "Gilmore Girls." She also embraces the challenge of teaching herself to knit, adding a creative outlet to her repertoire of skills. On a personal note, Sam is happily engaged to her fiancé, Jacob, and together they share their home with Harley, their spirited medium mixed breed dog. Sam's warmth, expertise, and genuine care for both animals and people make her an invaluable asset to the First State Urgent Vet family.

Lauren V., Veterinary Assistant

Meet Lauren, a valued member of the First State Urgent Vet - Wilmington team! Lauren began her journey in veterinary medicine straight out of high school, diving into on-the-job training as a vet assistant. With six years of experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our practice. Before joining us, Lauren worked as a kennel assistant, where she cultivated her passion for animal care.

Outside of work, Lauren's world revolves around her loving family and furry friends. Alongside her husband, Damon, and daughter, Harper, Lauren eagerly anticipates the arrival of her son, Everett, in May 2024. Their home is a bustling haven for their nine dogs, including Rottweilers Buzz and Andy, Pitbull Bullseye, Frenchies RC, Zurg, and Wheezy, and English Bulldogs Randall, Russell, and Rex. Additionally, three cats, BamBam, Pebbles, and Pixal, complete their lively household. With her wealth of experience, compassion, and dedication to animal welfare, Lauren is committed to providing exceptional care to all furry patients at First State Urgent Vet - Wilmington.

Katie Q., Veterinary Assistant

Katie is a seasoned Veterinary Assistant whose passion for animals shines through her impressive 16 years of dedicated service in the veterinary industry. After obtaining her B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Delaware in 2009, Katie has continued to expand her knowledge and expertise, making a significant impact on the lives of countless pets and their owners.

At home, Katie's life is filled with the delightful chaos of her four-legged and no-legged companions. She is the proud pet parent to four cats: Olive, Horus, Roe, and Morty—each with their own unique backstory and personality. Olive and Horus are the spirited kitten siblings that keep everyone on their toes, while Roe boasts an international flair, hailing from the green landscapes of Northern Ireland. Morty, whose full name is Mortarion, carries the banner of the Warhammer Universe, a fun nod to her husband's interests.

The family is completed by Abbi, a hound-mix with a feline soul, and Jaya, a stunning green tree python who has been with Katie since she was just a hatchling. With such a diverse animal household, there's never a moment without adventure or amusement.
Katie's love for her pets is matched only by her enjoyment of quality time with her husband. Together, they indulge in cozy evenings watching TV, engaging in immersive video game worlds, or savoring the local flavors at their favorite brewery. Her life is a beautiful tapestry of professional fulfillment and personal joy, woven together by the bonds she shares with her animals and loved ones.