Meet Our Doctors

Stephen C Kochis, DVM, CAWA

Chief Medical Officer

I’ve been practicing veterinary medicine since May 1996

Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, LEGO, concerts, travel, nerdy science fiction themed activities.

My favorite thing about working at the CVH is providing care to people and pets who would not normally get access and having an amazing team that I enjoy working alongside.

My favorite things to do as a vet are Emergency/Urgent Care, infectious disease management, and population management.

My pets are:
Tiberius and Bruce, both MN Border Terriers

Franci Forman, DVM

Medical Director

I’ve been practicing veterinary medicine since June 2019

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and being outdoors—hiking, paddling, biking, golfing, playing with my dogs—reading books from the library, and attending the variety of festivals the PNW has to offer.

My favorite thing about working at the CVH is collaborating with my teammates, our community, and our clients to increase access to high-quality veterinary care for pets and the people who love them. I love being part of a positive, creative, and dedicated team that works together to provide exceptional, compassionate care every day.

My favorite things to do as a vet are unblocking cats and laceration repairs.

My pets are:
Derby – black Lab who resembles a thoroughbred when running at full speed. We call him the fastest dog in Portland!

Leka – chocolate Lab, her name is short for kokoleka which means “chocolate” in Hawaiian. She is sassy, obsessed with her ball and loves snacks.

Nick – yellow Lab, a former guide dog that career changed into a real party animal. He loves adventure and is a champion at napping.

Bulleh – sweet little tuxedo cat who was found at a rest stop near Eugene. He is so hungry and tells us about it every day.

Blitzen – a very mischievous kitty who prefers sleeping under the covers.

You should also know that I have decent dance moves, and I am just okay at karaoke. I’m an avid baseball fan (Go Cubs) and a die-hard Detroit Lions football fan. I am also a proud Oregon State alum – go Beavs!

Yamini Chalam, DVM

I’ve been practicing veterinary medicine since June 2014

Outside of work, I enjoy recharging with a yoga class at my favorite studio, spending time among the trees on one of the many hikes that the PNW has to offer, and making my way through Portland’s amazing food scene in search of my next favorite meal.

My favorite thing about working at the CVH is that teaching is such an integral part of the mission. We have the opportunity to help train both veterinary students and veterinary technician students, creating a collaborative environment where learning is always encouraged. No matter how many years you’ve been practicing veterinary medicine, there’s always something new to learn, and that commitment to lifelong learning benefits both our team and our patients.

My favorite thing to do as a vet is help an itchy dog!  Allergies are really common in the Pacific Northwest, which can make our pets feel pretty miserable.  It feels great to be able to give them some relief, while also creating a management plan to keep them comfortable long-term.

My pets are:
Marty, our Great Pyrenees mix, who joined the family in 2018. At 100 pounds, he’s full of stubborn determination and leaves a trail of white fur (and the occasional drool) wherever he goes.

Niles, our smoky long-haired cat and Oregon Humane alum, came home with us in 2023. He believes petting should be a full-time job, and with a coat as soft as his, we’re happy to oblige.

Daphne, a Maine Coon who was adopted through one of Oregon Humane’s rescue cases. She may have had a rough start in life, but now she enjoys endless toys, good food, and plenty of cuddles.

Bonus points if you recognize the TV show that inspired all of their names!

You should also know that my favorite quote is: “Everyone thinks they have the best dog. And none of them are wrong” – WR Purche

Zachary George, DVM

I’ve been practicing veterinary medicine since August 2023 

Outside of work, I enjoy playing tabletop board games with my friends and video games when everyone else is busy. I also enjoy reading fantasy and sci-fi novels. In the winter time, I also enjoy a good powder day for snowboarding. 

My favorite things about working at the CVH are getting to work with all the amazing staff here and getting to interact with so many members of the community. 

My favorite thing to do as a vet is urgent care procedures (laceration repairs, thoracocentesis, abdominocentesis, etc.) 

My pets are: 
Loki, my 8 year old Rottweiler. He is the sweetest and most cuddly baby boy up until the moment he sees nail clippers, my stethoscope, or a bottle of ear cleaner.

Java, my 12 year old black cat that has taught me a lot about how frustrating IBD care can be. She used to be a sassy lady in her youth but has become an absolute lover over the past few years. 

You should also know that I am a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and I hope to always make my exam room a safe and accepting space for all people and animals. 

Vanessa Gross, DVM

Outside of work, I enjoy trying new restaurants, exploring the outdoors, traveling, reading, and yoga,

My favorite things about working at the CVH are my coworkers, and seeing newly adopted animals.

My favorite things to do as a vet are spay/neuter surgery, soft tissue surgery, dentistry, and wellness.

My pets are:
Mama, dog, American Bully
Baby Gaga, dog, Mini Poodle mix

Carrie Halverson, DVM

I’ve been practicing veterinary medicine since June 2024.

Outside of work, I enjoy weightlifting, ceramics, and reading.

My favorite thing about working at the CVH is getting to see all the animals with their new families after being adopted at the shelter.

My favorite things to do as a vet are laceration and abscess repairs as well as cute kitten wellness appointments.

My pets are:
five cats—Jax, Watson, Reggie, Monty and Bennie—one dog named Rae, and an assortment of fish.

You should know that I used to work in emergency medicine.

Anne Marshall, DVM

I’ve been practicing veterinary medicine since June 2020.

Outside of work, I enjoy paddleboarding, hiking & backpacking, and reading.

My favorite thing about working at the CVH is being able to improve access to care in our community.

My favorite thing to do as a vet is remove foxtails! Closely followed by treating cat abscesses.

My pets are:
Hendrix – feline, DSH; Willow – feline, DSH

Ashleigh Reis, DVM

I’ve been practicing veterinary medicine since June 2016.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my partner and young daughter, being a plant mom, spending time outdoors, and competing in local triathlons… very slowly 🙂

My favorite thing about working at the CVH is being able to say ‘yes’ and helping so many pets and people when they’ve been turned down time and time again. I particularly enjoy doing surgeries that were previously unattainable for clients and their pets

My favorite thing to do as a vet is anything soft tissue surgery or dentistry related. I particularly enjoy doing a GI foreign body surgery.

My pets are:
Penny, chihuahua mix – She was the first dog I ever spayed (in junior surgery of vet school), I adopted her from the Yakima Humane Society the next day.

Rudy, DSH cat – A very sweet old man tabby who came to me as a stray

Biscuits, DSH cat – A shy but sweet torbie who came to me as a stray

Toast, Sphynx cat – A shelter alumni from Norman, OK

You should also know that:
My favorite music to listen to while doing surgery is 90s and 00’s alternative.

I lived and practiced in OK for 6 years: 4.5 in emergency medicine and 1.5 years for pet poison control before moving to Oregon and joining CVH.

I graduated from Washington State – Go Cougs!

Claudia Romero, DVM

I’ve been practicing veterinary medicine since June 2019.

Outside of work, I enjoy walks with dogs, embroidery, and travel.

My favorite thing about working at the CVH is being able to provide affordable and high-quality care options while meeting and working with people and their pets in a compassionate and reasonable means with their current life circumstances.

My favorite thing to do as a vet is working up complicated sick cases.

My pets are:
Two dogs and one cat.

You should also know that I’m half Colombian and half Salvadoran. I speak fluent Spanish and am proud of my heritage.

Lauren Sprague, DVM

I’ve been practicing veterinary medicine since June 2019.

Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, paddle boarding, reading, and hanging out with my family!

My favorite thing about working at the CVH is the work culture we have built here. When I come to work, it feels like I am coming to see my family. It’s a fun environment to work in!

My favorite things to do as a vet are procedures where I can fix problems right away, like a pet with a foreign body or an abscess. It’s the most satisfying part of the job!

My pets are:
Three cats named Cas, Daniel and Addison, and two dogs named Bagel and Karlie. Cas and Daniel are two orange boys, and Addison is a tuxedo girl. Bagel is a mutt with high energy and Karlie is a Lab mix. They keep us on our toes but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

You should also know that I originally grew up in the Midwest, and have been on the west coast for about 7 years now. I love the outdoors and how pretty it is out here!

Rachel Warnes, DVM

I’ve been practicing veterinary medicine since May 2016

Outside of work, I enjoy rock climbing, hiking with my dogs, camping, reading, staying in fire tower lookouts, and performing improv.

My favorite thing about working at the CVH is providing equitable access and quality of care to all families.

My favorite thing to do as a vet is having a wide variety of cases from surgical to dental to urgent care to wellness appointments.

My pets are:
Birdie the beagle (rescued from Oregon Humane), Romeo the behaviorally challenging mutt, Armadillo the wild cat, and Maeve and Saturn the somewhat unfriendly rats.

You should also know that I was the first doctor hired to work at the Community Veterinary Hospital!