Our Veterinary Team

Pipestone, MN

Dr. Natalee Judson
Dr. Natalee Judson
DVM Health & Production
Dr. Natalee Judson was raised on her family’s horse ranch in Florida and is a second-generation veterinarian. She received her Bachelor of Science from the
Dr. Karyn Havas
Dr. Karyn Havas
DVM /PhD/MS/Diplomate ACVPM Director of Veterinary Epidemiology
Dr. Karyn A. Havas was a US Army Veterinary Corps Officer through August 2014 when she retired from service. She then served as the Diagnostic
Dr. Taylor Spronk
Dr. Taylor Spronk
DVM Research
Dr. Taylor Spronk is originally from Iowa but grew up in Pipestone, MN. She attended the University of Minnesota for her undergraduate and veterinary degrees,
Dr. Evan Koep
Dr. Evan Koep
DVM Health & Production
Dr. Evan Koep was raised on his family’s farm in southwest Minnesota, where he was active working on the farm and in organizations such as
Dr. Todd Williams
Dr. Todd Williams
DVM Research
Dr. Todd E. Williams was owner and practitioner with Ottumwa Veterinary Clinic until it was acquired by Pipestone Veterinary Services in 2013. Todd resided in
Dr. Joseph Yaros
Dr. Joseph Yaros
DVM Managing Veterinarian
Dr. Joseph Yaros grew up out East with three twin brothers (a twin himself and younger twin brothers) on a 1,000-ewe sheep farm. Caring for
Dr. Spencer Wayne
Dr. Spencer Wayne
DVM Health & Production
Dr. Spencer Wayne is originally from Albert Lea, MN. He attended the University of Minnesota’s College of Agriculture and later the College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Gordon Spronk
Dr. Gordon Spronk
DVM Chair Emeritus
Dr. Gordon Spronk is a native of the Pipestone, Minnesota agricultural community. Upon completion of his education with a DVM degree at the College of
Dr. Adam Schelkopf
Dr. Adam Schelkopf
DVM Health Director, Pipestone Management
Dr. Adam C. Schelkopf grew up in Dekalb, Illinois and gained an appreciation for swine medicine by following his father to vet calls and working
Dr. Gustavo Pizarro
Dr. Gustavo Pizarro
DVM President, Pipestone Latin America
Dr. Gustavo Pizarro graduated from Universidad Mayor in Santiago Chile in 1995 with his degree in Veterinary Medicine, and later in 2010 continued his education
Dr. Joel Nerem
Dr. Joel Nerem
DVM Health & Production
Dr. Joel Nerem joined Pipestone Veterinary Services and Pipestone Management staff in July 2006, and comes with solid swine health experience. The West Union, Iowa,
Dr. Barry Kerkaert
Dr. Barry Kerkaert
DVM Chairman of the Board
Dr. Barry Kerkaert is a native of southwest Minnesota and started at Pipestone Veterinary Services after graduating from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the

Independence, IA

Dr. Rachel Stika Jensen
Dr. Rachel Stika Jensen
DVM Health & Production
Rachel grew up in Cresco, IA on her family's cow-calf farm. There, she helped out on the farm and was involved in organizations like 4-H
Dr. Cameron Schmitt
Dr. Cameron Schmitt
DVM Executive VP, Pipestone Veterinary Services
Dr. Cameron Schmitt was raised in central Iowa and is a second generation large animal veterinarian. Dr. Schmitt joined Pipestone Veterinary Services and Pipestone Management
Dr. Bryan Myers
Dr. Bryan Myers
DVM Health & Production
Dr. Bryan Myers was born and raised in Lincoln, NE. Dr. Myers attended the University of Nebraska and graduated from Iowa State College of Veterinary
Dr. Cara Haden
Dr. Cara Haden
DVM Director of Animal Welfare
Dr. Cara Haden grew up in Michigan on a family farrow-to-finish swine farm and has always had an interest in swine medicine. In May 2014

DeKalb, IL

Dr. Michael Schelkopf
Dr. Michael Schelkopf
DVM Health & Production
Dr. Michael Schelkopf is a Veterinarian specializing in swine medicine and production. As a native of Sycamore, Dr. Schelkopf attended Sycamore High School then continued
Dr. Charles Schelkopf
Dr. Charles Schelkopf
DVM Health & Production
Dr. Charles R. Schelkopf graduated with a B.S. degree from the University of Illinois. After completing his undergraduate studies, he went on to receive his
Dr. Steven Feuerbach
Dr. Steven Feuerbach
DVM Health & Production
Dr. Steven P. Feuerbach received his B.S. degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University in 1987. After completing his undergraduate studies, he continued at

Rensselaer, IN

Dr. Andrew DeBoer
Dr. Andrew DeBoer
DVM Health & Production
Dr. Andrew DeBoer received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Trinity Christian College in 2014. He then attended Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine

Orange City, IA

Dr. Gawen Zomermaand
Dr. Gawen Zomermaand
DVM Health & Production
Dr. Gawen Zomermaand is graduate of Iowa State University's undergraduate and D.V.M. programs. He has over 33 years of experience. Before practicing as a veterinarian,
Dr. AJ Smit
Dr. AJ Smit
DVM Health & Production
Dr. AJ Smit was born and raised in Orange City, Iowa. He grew up with livestock and has always enjoyed being on the farm. Dr.
Dr. Jeff Blythe
Dr. Jeff Blythe
DVM Managing Veterinarian
Dr. Jeff Blythe was raised on a crop and livestock farm in Williamsburg, Iowa. He then received his B.A in Biology from Central College in
Dr. Emily McDowell
Dr. Emily McDowell
DVM Welfare
Dr. McDowell grew up on a grain and livestock farm near Primghar in northwest Iowa and attended Iowa State University for both her undergraduate and

Hermosillo, Mexico

Dr. Paula Cardona
Dr. Paula Cardona
DVM
Dr. Paula was born in Bogota, Colombia. It was a passion for biology that led her to study veterinary medicine at UDCA in Bogota, Colombia
Dr. Rafael Ramos
Dr. Rafael Ramos
DVM
Dr. Rafael was born in Cd Obregón, Sonora and studied veterinary medicine at ITSON, and began his career at Kekén as part of the Technical
Dr. Matias Fortini
Dr. Matias Fortini
DVM
Matias was born in Rancagua, Chile. Growing up close to his grandmother's livestock farm generated his passion for animal production. Matias graduated from Universidad Austral
Dr. Abraham Lopez Sauceda
Dr. Abraham Lopez Sauceda
DVM
Abraham was born in Guasave, Sinaloa, North West Mexico. His passion for animal production and agriculture was instilled by his family who still farm in
Dr. Marco Antonio Barrera Aldana
Dr. Marco Antonio Barrera Aldana
DVM
Marco was born in Villa del Carbón, Mexico state. Taking care of his dad's pigs as a kid inspired him to aim for vet school.
Dr. Sebastian Viale-Rigo
Dr. Sebastian Viale-Rigo
DVM
Sebastian was born in Maracay, Venezuela where he obtained his veterinarian degree from the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) in 1996. Sebastian has been working
Dr. Mauricio Bernal
Dr. Mauricio Bernal
DVM
Mauricio was born in Mexico City, Mexico. He obtained his veterinarian degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, in 2018. Just
Dr. Miguel Delgado
Dr. Miguel Delgado
DVM
Miguel was born in La Tesorera, Zacatecas. His grandparents instilled his passion for raising pigs in this town in North-Central Mexico. In 2013 he graduated as