Mark E. Epstein, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (Canine and Feline)

Dr. Epstein is originally from Atlanta, GA. He graduated with honors in microbiology from N.C. State University, 1981, and obtained his DVM from the University of Georgia in 1985. He continued his training and became certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (specialist in Canine and Feline Practice) in 1993, and re-certified in 2003. He enjoys the practice of veterinary medicine immensely, and is TBVH's Medical Director. He counts among his strengths pain management and those problems of internal medicine, especially hormone disorders, therapy of cancer, cardiac disease, and infectious disease. He became certified by the American Academy of Pain Management, as well as achieving the designation of Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM).

Dr Epstein enjoys geriatrics as a very special part of the practice, helping older pets to attain and maintain their best health and quality of life, and making peaceful and dignified end-of-life circumstances when that unfortunate time should occur; he has developed TBVH's pet-loss support services to assist owners through that. Perhaps his greatest passion of all is the recognition and control of pain in pets, and has been recognized as a leader of implementing pain management systems in private practices .

He has served as president of his national specialty Board, ABVP, in 2008-9, and IVAPM 2009-11. Dr. Epstein founded Carolinas Animal Pain Management, LLC, dedicated to the pursuit of enhancing pets' comfort, mobility and abilities.

Some of his other local professional accomplishments include assisting in the development of the Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Gaston County in 1990, and of the Gaston College Veterinary Technology Program in 1995. His honors include the NC Veterinary Medical Association Presidential Award and the University of Georgia Young Achiever Award in 1995, and the Gaston Chamber Small Business Man of the Year in 1996. He serves his community often, having been past-president of the Gastonia Jaycees and the United Arts Council of Gaston County. He has serves on the Board of Trustees of the Gaston County Chamber of Commerce and Gaston Festivals, Inc. He is currently a member of Gaston East Rotary, and serves on the Board of Trustees of Temple Emanuel and as Chairman of the City of Gastonia Planning Commission.

He is married to Janet, who has blessed him with stepchildren and children Chris, Jamie, Hannah, and Torrie and cats Jupiter and Lennon and a dog Sterling, two red-eared sliders, Nancy and Medium Turtle (used to be Baby Turtle, but, you know, he grew), and under great pressure from his daughters, now also claims Joey, a gentle Paint horse. His hobbies include soccer, hiking, camping, horseback riding, and reading. Dr. Epstein has been a regular columnist about pets and people in the Gaston Gazette.

Herrick R. (Dick) Hay, MS, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (canine/feline)

Dr. Hay was born and raised in Toccoa, Georgia, a small town in the northeast corner of the state. He was taught by example at a very early age to value education and service to his community by his mother (a high school math teacher) and by his father (a physician). Dr. Hay obtained his BS from Davidson College in 1977. He spent his junior year of college studying in France and considers it one of his defining college and life experiences. After college, he continued his studies by earning a Masters of Science degree in Comparative Physiology and spending 2 more years as a research assistant at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens. It was there that he fell in love with the profession and obtained his DVM in 1985.

Dr. Hay became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 2000, as a specialist in canine and feline medicine and surgery. He enjoys all aspects of general practice, especially the relationships between pets and their owners.

His wife Pam is a college Biology professor and they have two wonderful children. In fact, parenting is his greatest extra-curricular thrill. He is active in several community organizations such as the Davidson Housing Coalition, Cub Scouts of America, and the Catawba and Davidson Lands Conservancies. When not at work, his favorite pastimes are hiking, training for triathlons, and playing with his children. 

Jodi Werfal, DVM

Dr. Jodi Werfal began her interest in veterinary medicine through a mentor program in high school. She then went on to obtain a degree in Veterinary Technology in 1984. Her interest grew, and she decided to obtain her veterinary degree. Dr. Werfal graduated from Louisiana State University in 1991. Since that time, she has worked with Veterinary HealthCare Associates, and became the director of Bethel Animal HealthCare Hospital in 1994. Her special area of interest is in all aspects of small animal surgery, including laser surgery.

Dr. Werfal has always been active in community projects. At this time she is very active with Girl Scouting. She serves as the leader for both a Brownie troop and a Junior troop. She is active in her church serving as a leader with the children's ministry. Her two daughters keep her busy going from one sports activity to another. Her husband Greg, who is also a veterinarian, manages the Gaston county emergency clinic. When away from the office, Dr. Werfal enjoys hiking, gardening, swimming and tending to the family menagerie of pets.
 

Joyce Carnevale , MS, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (C/F)

Away from the clinic, Dr. C enjoys spending time with her husband James, who is a local woodturning artist, and their 5 dogs, 3 cats, and pond full of fish. She is an avid gardener and her backyard is a natural area celebrating the beauty of North Carolina and native wildlife.  

Lauren Wagman, VMD

 Cory Ellis, DVM

Dr. Ellis grew up in the sleepy coastal town of Ocean Springs, MS, where he spent countless summer days exploring the barrier islands and all the wildlife that they harbored. Following high school, Dr. Ellis completed a two year commitment to Americorps NCCC (a domestic peace corps program), doing community service projects throughout the southeast United States. He then obtained his undergraduate degree in biology from the College of Charleston in South Carolina. While in school, he spent his summers employed by the Minnesota Conservation Corps working with youth in the wilderness of the great Northwoods. During the school year, he was a committed member of Charleston's Habitat for Humanity team.

Following graduation, Dr. Ellis and his newlywed wife left for the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean, where he finished his pre-clinical studies at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Ellis completed his senior clinical year at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. His wonderful wife, Erica, is a schoolteacher at Tryon Hills Pre-K Center and Dr. Ellis is a very proud father to a beautiful little girl, Brinley. His cast of pets include Summerdale and Lilly Belle (both German Shorthaired Pointers) and Buddy (a mixed up pooch from the island of St. Kitts).

Dr. Ellis loves being a veterinarian! He believes that helping those that cannot help themselves is the most satisfying thing one can do with his life. He enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, but has a special interest in surgery, anesthesia, and diagnostic imaging.

Adam S. Berman, DVM

Dr. Berman was raised in Greensboro, NC. In 2004, he graduated magna cum laude from N.C. State University with a B.S in Animal Science. He went on to receive his DVM from N.C. State University in May of 2010. His professional interests include preventative medicine, dermatology, and clinical nutrition.

Dr. Berman joined TotalBond Veterinary Hospitals in July of 2010 and he is very excited to further develop his professional skills. He is truly passionate of veterinary medicine and strives to provide the highest quality care that he can to his patients. Dr. Berman plans to pursue board certification in canine and feline general practice with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners one day as well as practice management and ownership. Dr. Berman is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, and the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians.

Outside of work, Dr. Berman recently moved to the Charlotte area from Raleigh, NC and is having a great time exploring the area. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Ivy, his two labs, Sophie and Emma, and his kitty cat, Pookey. He enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time outdoors.

[image] 

Lauren Seymour, DVM

Dr. Seymour was born and raised in Northern Virginia. She was one of those little girls who knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from a very young age. Most of her high school years were spent between horse shows and working at local veterinary clinics.

Dr. Seymour is forever a Hokie (ask her what one is!) and was lucky enough to spend 8 years in beautiful Blacksburg, Virginia to attend school. She also spent a semester abroad in Canberra, Australia studying native wildlife and neuroscience. She graduated from Virginia Tech in 2006 with a BS in Biology and Psychology, and from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine with her DVM in 2010.

After graduation, Dr. Seymour returned home for a year, completing a small animal internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals, a busy 24-hour referral practice in Washington, D.C. She fell in love with Charlotte after visiting a friend and joined the Total Bond Veterinary Hospital family in the fall of 2011.

Dr. Seymour's professional interests include oncology, neurology and internal medicine (especially urology), but she gets the greatest satisfaction out of educating her fellow pet lovers. She plans to one day pursue board certification in canine and feline medicine with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. In her free time, Dr. Seymour loves exploring Charlotte with her Golden Retriever. She also loves traveling, cooking and watching terrible reality television.

IN MEMORIUM:  Dr. Charles McLaughlin

Dr. Charles A. McLaughlin graduated from Montana State University (BS), Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), University of Wisconsin Medical School (Ph.D.), and St. Mary's University School of Business (MBA). Dr. McLaughlin served in the U.S. Army as a captain in the veterinary corps. He was a biological research scientist in the National Institutes of Health before becoming a venture capital manager, business advisor and entrepreneur. He joined TotalBond Veterinary Hospital, PC in 1999. His hobbies have included mountain climbing, painting, bird watching, and water sports.  Dr. McLaughlin passed away in November 2007, leaving TBVH, his friends, loved ones, and this world much too early; and his memory is a blessing.