Doctors
Dr. James E. Nave
- Hometown: Protem, Missouri
- Undergraduate Studies: University of Missouri
- Veterinary School: University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Nave graduated in 1968 from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. He joined the US Army after graduation from veterinary school and served in as a Captain in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star for his military Service. He was discharged in 1971, and shortly after settled in Las Vegas, NV.
Dr. Nave has mentored hundreds of veterinarians throughout his career, and continues the mentoring process to this day for veterinarians ranging from veterinary students, new graduates, and seasoned veterans. He truly believes leadership is the key to success and strives to promote that throughout his colleagues.
Dr. Karley Noto
- Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Undergraduate Studies: Louisian State University
- Veterinary School: Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Noto is a proud Itallian and Lousiana native who not only grew up in Baton Rouge, but also attended LSU for her undergrad and graduate studies. Her passion to become a veterinarian started at a young age, and after participating in an externship in Las Vegas, Dr. Noto knew moving here was a great fit. Dr. Noto also specializes in veterinary acupunture and hopes to treat patients utilizing both Eastern and Western medicine. Some of her special interests also include physical therapy, ultrasonography, diagnostic imaging, and neurology.
Dr. Noto enjoys spending time with her huge family and her handsome Vizsla named Kevin. When she is not at the hospital, Dr. Noto loves checking out new restaurants, watching movies, running, playing beach volleyball, going to hockey games, and watching football (Geaux Tigers, Geaux Saints). Veterinary and nonveterinary mission work is another passion of hers espeically Honduras as she has spent a vast majority of her mission work there. While Dr. Noto is a proud Louisiana native, she is excited to explore what Las Vegas has to offer.
Dr. Christian Lay
- Hometown: Slidell, LA
- Undergraduate Studies: Louisiana State University
- Veterinary School: Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lay graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. He moved to Las Vegas to join Tropicana after graduation. Dr. Lay’s professional interests include surgery, internal medicine, ultrasonography, and cardiology. Outside of the office, Dr. Lay enjoys boating, fishing, and marksmanship. Dr. Lay also enjoys spending time with his Golden Retriever named Gatsby, and his cat Luna.
Dr. Alex Ralston
- Hometown: Kansas
- Undergraduate Studies: Oklahoma State University
- Veterinary School:Oklahoma State University
Dr. Alex Ralston grew up in Shawnee, KS, a suburb of Kansas City, where she worked in a rural Veterinary clinic during school breaks. She attended both undergrad and Veterinary school at Oklahoma State University. While there, she made some great memories and learned a lot. While she is a bit sad to leave the Midwest behind, she is excited for all the new experiences Las Vegas, and Tropicana Animal Hospital will bring.
When Dr. Ralston is not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and entertaining her dogs (Royal and Cash), as well as traveling, reading, and binge watching her favorite shows. She has a special interest in surgery, preventative medicine, and nutrition. Dr. Ralston can't wait to improve the health and livelihood of her patients and their families with each visit.
Dr. Matthew McCollum
- Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana
- Undergraduate Studies: Louisiana State University
- Veterinary School: Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Matthew McCollum is originally from Lafayette, Louisiana. He completed his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University with a bachelor of science in Animal Sciences and then continued his education and graduated from Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. While completing his undergraduate degree he worked as a veterinary technician at his hometown clinic. His interest in Veterinary medicine includes Internal Medicine, Ultrasonography, and surgery.
Dr. McCollum enjoys spending time with his fur family, Luna a Catahoula/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, Tonks an orange tabby cat, Zoom Zoom a black cat, and two Fancy rats Basil and Professor Ratigan on his time off. He loves spending time hiking, fishing, and being outdoors and is a true Louisiana Cajun that loves to cook.
Dr. Sandra Gomez
- Hometown: Born in Lima, Peru & Raised in Delaware/NewJersey
- Undergraduate Studies: Delaware State University
- Veterinary School: Tuskegee University
Dr. Gomez was born in Lima, Peru and soon after moved to the United States. She graduated with a BA in biology and minored in Chemistry from Deleware State University. Without skipping a beat, she completed her veterinary program and received her DVM from Tuskegee University. Dr. Gomez is bilingual in spanish and is a great assest to our veterinary commuity. During her down time, Dr. Gomez enjoys playing volleyball, spending time with her family including 7 furbabies, and traveling the world.
Dr. Babette SanMartin
- Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD
- Undergraduate Studies: Saint Vincent College
- Veterinary School: Louisiana State University
Dr. Babette Sanmartin grew up in Gaithersburg, MD, close to Washington D.C. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Saint Vincent College, where she also played four years of NCAA women's basketball. She then went on to receive her doctorate from Louisiana State University. Her professional interests include surgery, dentistry, and endoscopy.
Dr. Sanmartin is trilingual, speaking English, Spanish, and German. She has a rescued mutt named Paco, and knows more pets are in her future. In her free time, she likes to cook, crochet, and ride horses.
Dr. Indigo Maybee
- Hometown: Seattle, Washington
- Undergraduate Studies: Seattle University
- Veterinary School: Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Maybee grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and for many years thought she wanted to be a human doctor, but could never find the area of healthcare she felt fit best with her interests. It wasn’t until undergrad while she was completing pre-med courses and volunteering at a local animal shelter that she realized she could combine her interest in science and love of animals in veterinary medicine - and the rest is history.
Dr. Maybee’s professional interests include soft tissue surgery, emergency medicine, and exotics. Outside of work, she likes to spend time reading, doing yoga, traveling, and seeing her friends and family. She currently has four pets at home; Bolognese (mutt), Marinara (cat), Rasputin (cat), and Tortellini (leopard tortoise).
Dr. Amethyst Southern
- Hometown: Houston, Texas
- Veterinary School: Texas A&M University
Dr. Amethyst Southern grew up in Houston, Texas. Dr. Southern always had an interest in science and medicine, and for some time thought she would become a human doctor. Becoming a veterinarian gave her the ability to include her growing passion for animals and is now in the unique position to not only help animals, but to also help their human companions strengthen the human-animal bond.
Dr. Southern went to Texas A&M University where she received her undergraduate degree in Zoology and continued to excel in her veterinary program where she graduated with a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Her special interests include, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Public Health, and Exotics.
Dr. Southern has two dogs, a Dachshund named Remi, and a Chi/Yorkie mix named Penny. She also has an orange cat that always keeps her on her toes named Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. In her spare time, Dr. Southern loves to travel and scuba dive. Although she is new to Las Vegas, she cannot wait to get out to Red Rock or Mount Charleston for some hiking.
Dr. Samantha Lee
- Hometown: San Francisco, California
- Veterinary School: Ross University
Dr. Samantha Lee hails from San Francisco and is the eldest of three girls. She is familiar with Las Vegas as she attended high school here!
Dr. Lee moved back to San Francisco and graduated with a BS in Zoology from San Francisco State University. In her younger years, Dr. Lee watched the show “Emergency Vets” on Animal Planet. After a few episodes, she knew she wanted to be just like those doctors. Dr. Lee received her doctorate from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Her interests include dentistry and surgery.
Dr. Lee has two cats named Cooper and Max and when she is not at work, enjoys rock climbing, scuba diving, and all being outdoors.
Dr. Amy Sarcinella
- Hometown: Austin, Texas
- Undergraduate Studies: Tarleton State University (Stephenville, Texas)
- Veterinary School: Texas A&M University
Dr. Sarcinella was born and raised in Austin, Texas. At a young age, Dr. Sarcinella knew she wanted to become a veterinarian because she loved working in a field that is so diverse. Not only did she want to gain surgical and medical experience, Dr. Sarcinella was eager to connect with people who shared the same love through animals as she did. After completing her undergraduate studies, Dr. Sarcinella received her doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M. Her interests include small animal surgery and large animal medicine. When she is not in the hospital, Dr. Sarcinella enjoys being out in nature and hiking. Her goal is to visit all national parks before the age of 50.
Dr. Leigh Malanga
- Hometown: Milan, TN.
- Undergraduate Studies: University of Tennesseeo
- Veterinary School: Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Leigh Malanga grew up in Milan, Tennessee. She knew she wanted to be a veterinarian ever since she was young and her passion for animals and medicine only grew with age. She completed her undergraduate studies and received two bachelor's degrees of agriculture in both Pre-Veterinary Health and Technology from the University of Tennessee at Martin. She then attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts and adored living in the Caribbean.
Dr. Malanga has a German shepherd named Maddie, and two pets she adopted from the island: a cat called Mittens and a dog named Hobbes (featured). Dr. Malanga loves to read, travel, and be near the ocean. Her professional interests include soft tissue surgery and diagnostic imaging.
Dr. Scott Upton
- Hometown: Birmingham, AL
- Undergraduate Studies: Auburn University
- Veterinary School: Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Upton grew up in a suburb of Birmingham, AL. He attended Auburn University where he studied microbiology and finance and he then attended Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Las Vegas to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Whenever he is not at the clinic, Dr. Upton likes running, fishing, mountain biking and keeping up with his favorite sports teams.
Dr. Kassandra Villafranca
- Hometown: Laredo, TX
- Undergraduate Studies: Texas A&M International University
- Veterinary School: St. George's University
Dr. Kassandra Villafranca is a proud Laredo, Texas native. After Completing a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas A&M International University, Dr. Villafranca attended St. George's University in Grenada for veterinary school and her final year of veterinary school at Louisiana State University. Her Professional interests lie primarily in internal medicine and soft tissue surgery but enjoys all aspects of veterinary science.
Dr. Villafranca is bilingual in Spanish and English. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Villafranca enjoys spending time with her two beloved cats (Marty and Espy) and two German Shorthaired Pointers (Sky and Marshall). Dr. Villafranca enjoys spending her free time hiking, going on runs, and baking. Dr. Villafranca is always looking forward to helping people and their pets lead happier, healthier lives.
Dr. Cameron Lorica
- Hometown: West Palm Beach, Florida
- Undergraduate Studies: University of Central Florida
- Veterinary School: St. George's University
Dr. Cameron Lorica originally grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida. He has a passion for enhancing animal health through advanced medical care. Dr. Lorica completed a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Florida before earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from St. George’s University. After graduating he moved to Las Vegas to continue his veterinary career.
With a special interest in soft tissue surgery and diagnostic imaging, Dr. Lorica remains committed to delivering compassionate and effective care. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Lorica enjoys fishing, hiking, and watching sports. He is also an avid cook, finding joy in preparing meals as a way to unwind.
Dr. Alastair Fraser
- Hometown: New Zealand
- Undergraduate Studies: Reno
- Veterinary School: Western University
Dr. Fraser was born in New Zealand and grew up in Australia. He moved to Las Vegas in High school and moved to Reno for his undergraduate degree. Dr. Fraser moved back to Las Vegas to work as a veterinary technician until he moved to California to attend Veterinary School at Western University. Dr. Fraser has special interest in surgery and neurology. He has four rescue dogs (3 chihuahuas and a terrier) and two cats. His favorite dog breed is a Labrador Retriever. When not working, Dr. Fraser likes to run, watch the NFL, and play golf.
