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.

Dr. Teiko Takedai, VMD grew up moving around various states but considers Pittsburgh, PA, her hometown. She attended the University of Missouri for her undergraduate studies in veterinary medicine and earned her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Following vet school, Dr. Takedai completed a rotating internship at the Animal Medical Center, as well as surgical internships at Long Island Veterinary Specialists and BluePearl in Maitland, FL, before completing her surgical residency.

Outside of work, Dr. Takedai enjoys exploring new restaurants, bakeries, and parks near the water. This is her first time in southern Massachusetts, and she’s excited to discover everything the region has to offer!

BOARD CERTIFIED – EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE

Dr. Rosenstein graduated from veterinary school at Ross University in 2018. She then completed a rotating internship and most recently an emergency and critical care residency here at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists Dr. Rosenstein’s professional interests include sepsis, toxicities, and critical anesthesia. When she is not in the ICU, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé, their dog, Cille, and cats Tony and Gertrude.

BOARD CERTIFIED – EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE

Dr. Johnson completed her veterinary degree at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in 1991. She completed an internship at the Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital in California in 1992. After a few years doing general practice, teaching anatomy at a veterinary school, and completing a research project, she entered a residency program at Tufts University in the study of emergency medicine and critical care. She became board certified in this specialty in 1997.

Dr. Johnson has published several articles and textbook chapters on the topics of head trauma, nosocomial infections, and pain management. She has also lectured to veterinarians and technicians at regional veterinary conferences. She is an active member of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. She is the director of the internship and residency programs at OSVS.

Dr. Johnson enjoys riding her horse, planting (but not weeding) her garden, scuba diving, and other outdoorsy stuff. Most of all, she loves spending time with (but not cleaning up after) her husband (Dr. Gary Block of OSVS), two amazing children, and a menagerie of pets that includes horses, goats, dogs, cats, tortoises, and about 60,000 honeybees.