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Our Staff

Our caring and compassionate veterinary care team!

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Buckeye Veterinary Clinic in Akron! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet services for your pets!

Please call us at (330) 644-4700 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!

Dr. Charlotte Pavlik
Practice Owner/Veterinarian

Raised just down the road from Buckeye Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Charlotte Pavlik graduated from Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. Dr. Charlotte went on to graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She then obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. She Opened Buckeye Veterinary Clinic October 2010.

Dr. Gerardo Vega
Associate Veterinarian

Raised in San Juan Puerto Rico, Dr. Vega graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. He obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at ROSS University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012 and completed his clinical year at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He Joined the Buckeye Veterinary Clinic Team January 2016.

Dr. Amy Cummings
Associate Veterinarian

Bio coming soon!

Chelsy Harte
Customer Service Manager

Chelsy currently lives in Coventry township with her husband Derrick, son Logan, and her two dogs, Nessie, a Mini Dachshund, and Blitzen, a Great Dane. She has been around animals her whole life, and for as long as she can remember has always wanted to work with animals. Chelsy has been with Buckeye since they opened in October of 2010 and is the Lead of the Customer Service Team.

Laura Dayton
Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

Laura has been with the team here at Buckeye since 2012 as an RVT. She has 9+ years in small animal practice and 10 years’ experience in emergency veterinary medicine. Laura grew up in, and now continues to grow and live in Norton with her own family (husband, 2 rambunctious boys, hound, corgi, cats, lizard, fish, and whatever else wanders into the yard). When not at the clinic, you can usually find her and her boys hiking, biking, and having fun in the metro parks.

Christin Gerstenslager
Credentialed Veterinary Technician (CVT)

Christin is a credentialed veterinary technician and has worked at Buckeye Veterinary Clinic since 2011. She is a 2006 graduate of Cuyahoga Community College’s Veterinary Technology program and has worked in veterinary medicine since 2002. She holds a current license with the Ohio Veterinary Medical licensing board.

When Christin is not at BVC, she is most likely spending time with her family, horseback riding, or working as a Registered Nurse at a local hospital. Christin shares her home with her two very opinionated cats, Cosmo and Martini, and her dog, Gabby.

Tiffany Coffee
Veterinary Assistant

I am a mother of 5 children, 3 dogs, 2 horses, and many chickens. I love anything that has to do with the outdoors (swimming,hiking,camping,boating etc.) I have a great passion for caring and helping animals. I have worked in the veterinary medicine field for 10 years.

Alex Gmerek
Veterinary Assistant

Alex was raised in Tallmadge, OH. Alex has worked in the vet field for almost 10 years. She and her husband, Jason, have two kids, Jaxon & Gwen, and share a home with their two dogs, Mila & Nova. She enjoys a good “dad joke”, spending time with her kids, and movies.

Lexi Whitten
Veterinary Assistant

Lexi is a cat mom of two, Wybie and Ramsley. A lover of all animals and nature. She has been working for Buckeye a little over 2 years as an assistant. She loves horror and comedy movies. She also enjoys rock & roll/metal as her favorite music genre.

Chelsea Gore
Veterinary Technician

Chelsea has been a registered Veterinary Technician for over 12 years. She has worked with ophthalmology in the past and particularly enjoys surgery. She has 2 dogs and loves taking them hiking. When not at work she is usually outside kayaking or swimming and in the winter snowboarding.

Mindy Ingram
Veterinary Technician

Mindy joined our staff in 2023 and is a valued member of our team.

Sam Metzinger
Receptionist

Animal fanatic with 6 years in the veterinary world. Self-acclaimed cat lady in the making! Artist, photographer, collector of shiny things, and aspiring local myth!

Jodie Stephen
Veterinary Technician

Jodie graduated from the Ross College Veterinary Technology program in December of 2020 and passed her VTNE in December of 2021. She has been with Buckeye since her externship here in December 2020. She lives with her husband Kurt and feline fur babies: Xavier and Mister Cait, along with her angel cats Stardust and Sephiroth. She enjoys watching bad horror movies, listening to David Bowie, celebrating Halloween and eating tacos! Jodie loves all animals, but is especially fond of cats, from the sweetest kitty to the spiciest purrito! Her goal is to open a cat rescue and sanctuary.

Terry Gaskell-Kasen
Office Manager/Registered Veterinary Technician

Terry is a Credentialed Technician (CVT) and is a 2011 graduate of Stautzenberger College.  He is licensed with the Ohio Medical Licensing Board and has passed the National Veterinary Technician Examination. Terry was born and raised in the Canton area where he currently lives with his spouse, Jacob, son Julian, and a small heard of furry children. His kiddos include four dogs (Ralphie, Penny, Tillie, & Elka), several fine felines (Poe, Sundae ,Maude, Burt, Kyle, Edgar, & Charlie).

Terry enjoys being an integral part of the Buckeye Veterinary Clinic Technical Staff and is your lead contact for any concerns, comments, or praise dealing with your visits. He can be reached via email at TGaskell_Kasen@BuckeyeVetClinic.com.