Our TeamSterner Veterinary Clinic
Our exceptional team at Sterner Veterinary Clinic combines expertise, compassion, and dedication to providing the best possible care for every pet.
Get to know our team!
Meet the dedicated team at Sterner Veterinary Clinic – a group of passionate professionals driven by knowledge, compassion, and a shared commitment to providing top-quality care for your beloved animals.
Small Animal Veterinarians
Julie Estell
Dr. Julie Estell graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. Since then, she has been practicing small animal medicine here in Ionia. She became a co-owner in 2009. She is married with two daughters and two dogs, Duncan and Geordi.
Dr. Estell enjoys spending time outdoors, and both she and her husband, Anthony, are avid runners. She loves balancing her work and her home life.
Susie Montgomery
Dr. Susie Montgomery graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. She and her husband, Dr. Tim Montgomery, live in the country outside Ionia.
She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She has two sons, Jacob and Sammy. The Montgomery family just added another 4-legged friend, Zoey. They also have three other dogs, Darby, Jesse, and Lilly, and three cats, Luna, Mittens, and Chewy.
Elena Scott
Dr. Elena Scott Graduated in 2002 from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She started in an equine practice after graduation until 2007, when she switched to small animal medicine. Dr. Scott lives on a small hobby farm outside Greenville with her husband and four children.
Outside of work, she enjoys the outdoors: riding, gardening, playing all sorts of sports with her kids, and keeping up with her large crazy family.
Duane Fitzgerald
DVM
Dr. Duane Fitzgerald is originally from western Pennsylvania and graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. He worked as an equine veterinarian early in his career until making the transition to small animal medicine around 2016.
Dr. Fitzgerald loves to spend time outdoors hiking and fishing with his three kids and four dogs or taking an occasional trail ride on his horse. Other hobbies include woodworking and playing piano and acoustic guitar.
Office Staff
Denise
Denise is a 1983 graduate of Wayne County Community College and joined the staff at SVC in 1997. She has five dogs, Libby, Pluto, Ruby, Juneau, and Vinnie, four cats, Snuggles, Spanky, Tony, and Ziva, a turtle, and a paddling of ducks.
She enjoys dog obedience trials, hunting and fishing, and spending time with her husband and son.
Administrative Assistants
Grace
Grace joined Sterner Veterinary Clinic in August of 2022, working as a receptionist and technician with hopes of furthering her education. She has grown up on a dairy farm and has always had a strong desire for veterinary medicine.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, Harper, and riding her horse, Tuff.
Nikki
When you visit our clinic, Nikki will greet you with a smile at our reception desk. She joined the Sterner Family in December 2022. She was raised on a family dairy farm in the Stanton area, so it’s no surprise Nikki is a huge lover of all animals.
She, her husband, and their two children share their home in Sidney with their dog Coal, three cats, and three horses. In her time away from work, Nikki enjoys horseback riding, snowmobiling, camping with family and friends, watching her daughter compete at Little Britches Rodeos, and watching her son play baseball.
Taylor
Receptionist and Veterinary Technician
Taylor joined Sterner Veterinary Clinic in March of 2022 for her internship while attending Ross Medical of Kalamazoo for the Veterinary Assistant program. After completing her schooling, she worked as a veterinary technician and now works at the front desk as a receptionist.
Taylor has a cat, Juniper, and a dog, Goose. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being on the river, and painting in her free time.
Meghan
Receptionist
Meghan joined the SVC team in 2022 with over ten years of experience in the medical field and farming. She is passionate about animals and working with owners to provide pets with the best care possible.
Outside of work, Meghan enjoys fishing, camping, gardening and spending time with her husband, two sons, 3 dogs, chickens and cat. She is also looking forward to continuing her education in veterinary medicine.
Veterinary Technicians
Maureen
Maureen is a 1982 graduate of Northeast Missouri State University with a BS in animal science and an associate’s degree in veterinary technology. She joined the staff at SVC in 1998. She has four dogs, Nigel Thornberry, Lady Thornberry, Angel, and Daisy.
Six cats, Bobby, Susie, Licorice, Bruce, Mama, and Sawyer. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, both 2-legged and 4-legged.
Leigh Ann
Leigh Ann is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and a 1982 graduate of MSU’s Veterinary Technology program. She has been with Sterners since 1984.
Her interests include activities with Michigan Horse Drawn Vehicle Association, SCA Equestrian, and Barry County 4-H goats. She resides in Nashville, MI, with her husband and various pets.
Abbey
Abbey is a 2004 graduate of the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver, Colorado. She has been with the Sterner family since May 2005. Although Abbey enjoys all aspects of Veterinary Medicine, she is interested in Canine and Feline dentistry.
Before graduating in 2004, she did a 12-week internship under a Small Animal Veterinary Dentist. The skills and lessons she gained during that internship have followed her throughout her career. Abbey currently resides on a farm in Sheridan with her husband, Luke, and their four children. She has six dogs, two cats, and six horses and raises Black Angus Cattle.
She is very active in the Montcalm County 4-H program and also enjoys horse camping and trail riding with family and friends.
Kim
Kim is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in May 2011 from Baker College. She joined the SVC team in 2012. She shares her home with her two dogs (Christmas and Delilah) and five cats (Katie, Miss Ruby, Gibbs, Kevin, and Merrilee).
Kim loves spending time with her family and hopes to further her education in the Veterinary field. Her lifelong commitment and passion have always been working with animals, and she enjoys every minute.
Michaela
Michaela (Kayla) graduated from Baker College in June 2016 with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology. After graduation, she interned as a veterinary technician at the Kansas City Zoo because she was especially interested in exotic animals.
She joined SVC in March 2017. She grew up on a farm that started as a dairy farm and then switched over to cash crops. Michaela lives in Lowell and enjoys spending time with her two cats, Shaggy and Odette.
Joanie
Joanie is a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She graduated from Baker College in 2004 and is interested in anesthesia, critical care, and internal medicine.
She joined the SVC team in 2019. She enjoys kayaking, hiking with her dogs, and distance trail riding on her horse in her spare time.
Kandice
Veterinary Technician
Kandice has been involved in veterinary medicine for over ten years. She started in high school by volunteering after school. She loves working in surgery and building client relationships.
Kandice is married with one child, and together they enjoy five dogs and three cats.
London
Veterinary Technician
London’s smiling face joined Sterner Vet in June 2022, working as a receptionist and Technician. London has aspirations of becoming a large animal veterinarian. She currently attends The University of Olivet, studying Biology with a concentration in Veterinary Medicine.
In her free time, she enjoys running and showing livestock.
Casey
Casey joined Sterner Veterinary in July of 2021 with a diverse veterinary background in shelter medicine. She is passionate about animal welfare, public education, and fostering homeless pets.
Casey and her husband are proud parents of two dogs and two busy children. She loves camping and being involved with her kid’s softball and wrestling teams in her free time.
Lauren
Lauren joined Sterner Veterinary Clinic in April of 2021. She graduated from Glen Oaks Community College in 2020 with an associate’s degree in science.
Lauren loves meeting new clients and their pets. You will find her smiling face either working as a technician with the doctors or in the reception area. After work, Lauren loves spending time with friends, family, & her adorable doodles Milo & Gibson.
Lynn
Veterinary Technician
Lynn graduated from Michigan State University in 2001 as a Licensed Veterinary Technician and obtained an Associate of Applied Science. Before and after graduating, she was employed with Sterner Veterinary Clinic prior to staying home to have more time with her family.
Lynn and her husband have two beautiful teenage daughters, two crazy yellow labs, six laying hens, and a “surprise” kitty her daughters brought home. Lynn grew up on a small farm consisting of a few beef cattle, cash crops, and her horse, Bandy. While not working, Lynn enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
She loves being inside cooking and baking but more so outside gardening, landscaping, hunting, traveling, and taking her Jeep for a ride. She was employed with Portland Public Schools for the last nine years and enjoyed it very much, but she was ready to work full-time in a career she could thrive in. Lynn is excited to be employed with Sterner’s again and to see all the new (and many familiar) clients and patients!
Felicia
Felicia is a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She earned her Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology from Baker College and joined SVC in 2023. She also worked as a veterinary assistant prior to joining the team.
Felicia is originally from Grand Rapids and enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her cat, boyfriend, and family.