Dr. Akol graduated from UC Davis in 1987 with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Her internship at Coast Pet Clinic in Hermosa Beach followed and was completed in 1988. Dr. Akol then pursued residency training in internal medicine at University of Pennsylvania (1988-1990) She became board certified in internal medicine in 1992. She has published articles in the area of diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis and lipidosis. Dr. Akol has a special interest in feline medicine as well as the sub-specialties of gastroenterology, endocrinology and diseases of the respiratory system.

Dr. Burtch received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from UC Davis in 1993. She completed an internship at Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital in 1994. In 1996 she completed an ACVIM SAIM approved residency in internal medicine at the same facility, which included out-rotations at UC Davis. She became board certified in internal medicine in 1999. Dr. Burtch’s special interests include diabetes mellitus, gastroenterology and liver disease.

Dr. Pressel received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 2000. Her internship at Veterinary Care Animal Hospital in Albuquerque followed, and was completed in 2001. She remained in Albuquerque in general practice for one year before pursuing her residency training in internal medicine at Iowa State University which she completed in 2005. She became board certified that same year. She has published several articles and participated in a number of presentations and lecture series. Dr. Pressel’s special interests include gastroenterology, oncology, and hematology. She is active in regional and national veterinary societies, as well as a participant, on the local level, in agility, obedience, and therapy dog visitation. She joined PSCVS in June 2007, and and shares her life with her kitty, Nutmeg, and her Golden Retrievers, Soleil & Safari.

Dr. Clare obtained her DVM degree in 1996 from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and went on to complete an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Georgia. She then was accepted for a residency in small animal internal medicine which she completed at the University of Tennessee in 2000. Dr. Clare became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2001, when she passed the board exams, and has been a practicing internal medicine specialist since that time. She also serves as a consultant in internal medicine for Idexx Telemedicine.

Dr. Clare came to SCVH in March of 2010 which allowed our service to expand to care for internal medicine patients 6 days a week. Her professional interests include abdominal and thoracic (cardiac) ultrasound, renal disease, GI disease, and immune-mediated diseases. Dr. Clare is an avid outdoorswoman, hiking and backpacking all over the country with her husband Brian and their 3-year old son, Connor. Also an avid runner, Dr. Clare has competed in many races including the Boston Marathon.