Dr. Karlin Erk – Head of the Emergency Department

Karlin was valedictorian of his high school class, graduated from the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State, and earned his veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2005. He has practiced high level emergency and critical care medicine almost exclusively ever since, first in Colorado and back in Pennsylvania since 2010.

He takes pride in being able to remain calm despite everything going on in an emergency and critical care setting. His wife says ‘If we were in a movie theatre and there was a fire, Karlin would want to stay to watch the end of the scene!’

He can’t sit still and you’ll usually find him out cycling, running, or swimming. He’s finished two full Ironman races and is considering trying to qualify for Kona before he turns 50! He loves everything outside (but let’s try to keep it warm and sunny please). Scuba diving, paddleboarding, and sailing/boating make up some of his favorite out of work activities.

He’s married to a veterinarian that is much smarter than he is, and has three boisterous boys that conjure even more energy than him. An always fearful Labrador and ebullient German shorthair pointer (aren’t they all) complete the family.

Dr. Sara Bauer

Dr. Sara Bauer grew up in the suburbs of Bucks County, PA., and graduated from Penn State University in 2014 with a B.S. in animal science. She spent a few years working in the animal pharmaceutical industry prior to moving abroad to Ireland, where she graduated veterinary school in 2020 from University College Dublin.

Prior to joining EPVMC, Dr. Bauer spent the first few years of her career at a progressive and busy suburban practice working in general medicine and surgery. Her specific clinical interests include soft tissue surgery, anesthesia, and analgesia. She strives to provide compassionate, high level medical care to all her patients, and thorough education and communication for her clients.

In her spare time, Dr. Bauer enjoys strength training, cooking, and spending time with her family. She and her husband have 2 mixed breed dogs and recently welcomed their first baby in September 2022.

Fun fact about Dr. Bauer: She competed as a national level powerlifter through college and vet school in Ireland!

Dr. Sam Christian

Dr. Christian was born and raised in Kinnelon, NJ. She graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2018 with a B.S. in animal science. Dr. Christian graduated from the University of  Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. Since graduation, she has been practicing emergency medicine in Pennsylvania. Her special interests include surgery, radiology and client education. Dr. Christian spends her free time painting, going to the gym and horseback riding.

Dr. Suzanne Dempsey DACVECC

Suzanne Dempsey DVM DACVECC has over 10 years of experience providing compassionate care for pets that find themselves in critical care conditions. She enjoys the opportunity to educate her clients about their pets’ conditions and will tailor treatment plans to each pet’s individual needs.

Dr. Dempsey’s specific interests include managing organ dysfunction cases, treating life-threatening immune-mediated blood disorders, electrolyte disturbances, and trauma.

Dr. Carina Fiorito

Dr. Fiorito was born and raised in the Lehigh Valley. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Delaware Valley University and graduated from St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. Since then, Dr. Fiorito has returned to the Lehigh Valley to fulfill her life-long dream of practicing as a small animal veterinarian. Her special interests include feline medicine and surgery. Dr. Fiorito lives locally with her husband and cat “Smudge”. In her free-time she enjoys gardening, hiking and other outdoor activities.

Dr. Natalie Kovak DACVECC

Dr. Kovak is a board certified small animal veterinary criticalist with extensive training and skills in both emergency medicine and the management of intensive care patients. Dr. Kovak is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. Following graduation, she pursued a small animal rotating internship at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Denver Colorado. She then completed a residency in Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care at the University of Pennsylvania in 2021 and became a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. Dr. Kovak has experience in both private practice and academic settings. Her primary clinical interests include respiratory pathophysiology, septic shock, and management of polytraumas. Dr. Kovak’s goal as a veterinary specialist is to continue to learn and evolve in a field that is always growing in order to provide the best medical practice for all levels of patients. In her free time, she enjoys strength training and group fitness, spending time with her 3 dogs and cat, good food, and traveling.

Dr. Karen Patton

Dr. Patton grew up on a farm in western Kansas. She graduated with a BA in biology from Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS in 2003. She attended veterinary school at Kansas State University and graduated in 2008. Dr. Patton completed a rotating internship in Internal medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine at the university of Minnesota from 2008-2009. She has been practicing emergency medicine in Northeast Pa and the Lehigh Valley for the past 9 years. Her clinical interests include emergency medicine, internal medicine, and cardiology. Dr. Patton resides in Sellersville, Pa with husband, 3 children, 2 dogs, and 2 cats.

Dr. Darney Liz Osepa

Dr. Osepa obtained her Bachelor of Science (BS) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Cornell University. She then worked as both a primary care and emergency veterinarian in upstate New York for 7 years before joining EPVMC.

Her special interests include anesthesia, analgesia and soft tissue surgery. She takes pride in not only providing individualized care for her patients but also understanding and meeting the needs of their pet parents.

Dr. Osepa is fluent in Spanish and has studied Russian for several years; although, the latter is still a work in progress.  In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, Latin dancing, gardening, crocheting and spending quality time with her husband and fur babies.

Dr. Heather Regan

Dr. Regan resides in Lehigh county and is originally from Nanticoke PA. She graduated from Penn State University in 2002. Dr. Regan is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. Dr. Regan has extensive experience in emergency medicine and has been working as an emergency veterinarian since 2007. Dr. Regan is a member of the AVMA and VECCS. She is married and stays busy with her 4 children. Her family also includes 2 cats and 2 dogs. Dr. Regan enjoys outdoor activities, physical fitness and cooking.

Dr. Nicole Rogers

Dr. Nicole Rogers was raised in Long Island and earned her doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Illinois in 2015. She practiced a mix of general small animal medicine and emergency medicine in Buffalo, NY and then in southeastern PA, until transitioning to working exclusively as an emergency veterinarian. In addition to interest in emergency medicine and critical care, she also has special interest in ultrasonography. She enjoys spending time with her human and animal family, and tries to stay active. Dr. Rogers is married and welcomed a baby boy in May 2022. Her family also includes salt and freshwater fish, a cavalier King Charles spaniel, and a Maine coon cat.

Dr. Joshua Sprague

Dr. Sprague grew up in Tabernacle, NJ and graduated with a BS from Stockton University. He obtained his veterinary degree from the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. Dr. Sprague has been practicing emergency medicine for all but 2 years since. His clinical interests in fluid therapy, pain management, and trauma. Dr. Sprague enjoys cooking, reading, and exploring the Lehigh Valley with his wife and 2 samoyeds.

Dr. Carl Veltri

Dr. Carl Veltri graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine.  During his tenure at Tufts, he participated in the Aquavet program.   Dr. Veltri co-founded the only emergency practice in Berks County; Berks Animal and Emergency Referral Center.  He has served as Medical Director at several hospitals.   He enjoys the challenges of emergency care with close to three decades of experience in the field; with special interests in oncology, internal medicine and cardiology.

Dr. Veltri is a member of the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Association and American Veterinary Medical Association.  Each year, he attends lectures and labs in critical care and emergency medicine and reads extensively on the subject to further his knowledge.

In his spare time, Dr. Veltri enjoys hiking, kayaking and birding.  He participates in the  annual  Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Topton area.