…is a group of internationally recognized veterinary educators with over 35 years of collective experience practicing and teaching radiology at prestigious institutions including the University of California, Davis, and Massey University. Our instructors are dedicated to bringing veterinary diagnostic imaging to teaching institutions with limited or no access to a radiologist. The overarching goal is to elevate the level of veterinary practice worldwide through education.
Rachel Pollard
DVM, PhD, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Radiology
Dr. Pollard attended the University of Washington in Seattle for her undergraduate work and Washington State University for her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She then moved to New York for a 1-year general rotating internship at the Animal Medical Center. Dr. Pollard moved to Davis, CA in 1997 to complete the 4-year residency in Diagnostic Imaging at the University of California, Davis. She then completed a Ph.D. in Comparative Pathology and began as an Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Imaging at UC Davis in April 2005. Between 2005-2021, Dr. Pollard advanced to Associate and then Full Professor of Diagnostic Imaging and spent 5 years as the vice-chair for the Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences. Dr. Pollard has been voted ‘favorite teacher’ at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine several times during her 15 years of teaching. Dr. Pollard has served as a member of the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) exam committee and as the ACVR president. Dr. Pollard is now a Professor Emerita having recently retired from UC Davis and is now a radiologist working with Southern Veterinary Imaging in Nelson, New Zealand. She has a clinical interest in small animal ultrasound and dynamic imaging techniques such as contrast fluoroscopy for the diagnosis of swallowing disorders. During her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband Kal, two children (Ty and Hunter) and two (poorly behaved) dogs, Zeus and Venus.
Angela Hartman
DVM, DACVR, registered imaging specialist in New Zealand
Angela is originally from Virginia in the USA. She obtained a BS in Biochemistry in Virginia then worked as a research technician in a research laboratory in the UCLA School of Medicine for 4 years. This was followed by the veterinary school at UC Davis finishing in 1999 and then a 4-year residency in Radiology also at UC Davis finishing in 2004. After becoming a diplomate of the American College of Radiology in 2003 and finishing my residency, she immigrated to New Zealand to work at Massey University to set up a department of Radiology and revise a veterinary curriculum in diagnostic imaging. Given the dearth of radiologists willing to teach in Australasia, she has also travelled to various vet schools in Australia over the last 15 years block teaching a full vet radiology curriculum that was very effective and rewarding for the instructor and students alike. She now works part-time in a busy referral practice in Auckland and runs a New Zealand based teleradiology company. Teaching veterinary students not only is fun but exponentially increases the benefits of her training in diagnostic imaging by sharing this knowledge and experience with students, vets, owners and pets around the world. She spends her time off with her rescued Huntaway dogs, partner, and sons in beautiful Nelson, New Zealand.
Sarah Pemberton
EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
Sarah is a European specialist in veterinary diagnostic imaging. After graduating from Massey University, she worked in rural mixed practice before completing an equine internship. She then spent another eight years as a mixed and small animal vet in England and New Zealand before achieving membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Radiology. After discovering the amazing world of radiology she couldn’t stand the thought of doing much else so completed the first part of her residency at Purdue University, USA. The second part of the residency was completed at Massey University before qualifying as a specialist with the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging. She loves her current mix of work which includes international and domestic teleradiology as well as teaching.
Angela Gorney
DVM, DACVR
Dr. Gorney grew up in South Carolina and attended Clemson University for her undergraduate degree. Following graduation, she joined Teach for America and taught high school Biology in rural North Carolina. Later pursuing veterinary medicine, she attended North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2017. She completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia and is currently in the final year of her Radiology residency at the University of California, Davis. Angela became board certified in August 2021. Angela loves to spend time outdoors hiking with her dog, Roxy, and cycling with friends.
Lexi LaPorte
DVM, DACVR
Dr. LaPorte, originally from Southern California attended Purdue University for her undergraduate degree. Between completing her undergraduate education and veterinary school, Dr. LaPorte worked at the Salk Institute for Biomedical Research, working closely with multiple species of animals. She then attended the Western University of Health Sciences for her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Upon completion of her DVM, she returned to Purdue University to complete a small animal medicine and surgery internship. Prior to residency, she worked in a busy specialty practice as an overnight emergency veterinarian in the downtown Indianapolis area. She is currently a final year radiology resident at the University of California at Davis and achieved board certification in August 2021. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her Dobermans and spicy tortoiseshell cat.
Jenelle Sharpley
DVM, MS, DACVR
Jenelle is a board-certified Veterinary Radiologist who earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. After veterinary school, she completed a small animal rotating internship at the University of Illinois and a diagnostic imaging internship at the Animal Surgical and Emergency Center in Los Angeles, CA. Jenelle returned to Colorado State University for her residency and master’s degree in Diagnostic Imaging and became ACVR boarded in 2012. Following residency, she worked as a mobile radiologist in northern Colorado. She then moved to Seattle and worked in a specialty hospital. Most recently, she has been working as a teleradiologist and ultrasound instructor in the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica. In addition to Diagnostic Imaging, Jenelle is also a certified professional dog trainer. She teaches training classes in her spare time. She is also an avid traveller, having visited all 7 continents. When she is not reading images, teaching ultrasound, travelling or training dogs, she loves hiking, biking and birding.
Rebecca Fusaro
BVM&S
Rebecca is originally from Fife, Scotland. She studied veterinary medicine at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh where she graduated top of her year in 2013. After working in mixed practice for 18 months she moved onto sole small animal practice for a further year before setting off to travel around S.E Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, where she and her husband decided to stay. Rebecca has been based at a busy clinic in Nelson for the past 5 and a half years and has a strong interest in diagnostic imaging and its vital role in the workup of medical and surgical cases. She completed the Massey University Masters in Veterinary Medicine diagnostic imaging paper in 2021. Rebecca recently had her first baby and is excited to return to the profession on a new and exciting path. She is looking forward to being involved with teaching students, something she has always been passionate about. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with friends, and adventuring outdoors with her husband, newborn son and 3-legged dog Fyfe.
Katie Neal
3rd Year resident in Diagnostic Imaging at Colorado State University
Dr. Katie Neal grew up in Montana and completed her veterinary degree at Washington State University. After veterinary school, she pursued a small animal rotating internship at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Denver, Colorado. She stayed at Wheat Ridge for another year as a specialty intern in diagnostic imaging. After her time in Denver, Katie moved up the road to Fort Collins, CO to start her residency in diagnostic imaging. She is currently starting her third and final year as a resident. In her free time, Katie likes to paddleboard with her two Miniature Schnauzers, Wally, and Watson, and enjoys reading and curling up on the couch with a good show/movie.
Nicole Yang
3rd year resident in Diagnostic Imaging at University of California, Davis
Dr. Yang, originally from Los Angeles, CA, attended University of California, Davis for both her undergraduate studies and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Following a one-year small animal medicine and surgery rotating internship at Colorado State University, she was thrilled to head back to UC Davis for a Diagnostic imaging residency where she is currently a third-year resident. Nicole loves reading, illustrating, and rock climbing; otherwise, she spends her time trying (and failing) to teach manners to her pandemic puppy, Jack-Jack.
A crew of expert radiologists passionate about teaching and sharing their enthusiasm for imaging with students around the world
Kal Incendy
Director
Originally from New England, Kal attained a 2year associate degree from NCC. He then migrated westward to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Western State College. His Master’s Degree studies in Human Resources/Training and Development from Winona State University reinforced his passions for education and training. He is a highly motivated and ambitious businessman with a history of successful entrepreneurial pursuits. Kal’s previous business ventures have focused on retail sports & recreation and athletic education. These ventures were pursued before, during and after his graduate work. In addition to business, he is and has been involved in coaching and training in athletics (skiing, sailing and rugby). His most recent athletic coaching achievement prior to leaving the US was his tenure as head coach of the UCD Division I Men’s Rugby team, leading the team to win two National Championships and finishing his 3year term 38-2. In particular, Mr. Incendy feels passionate about business and athletic success through education, training, coaching and mentoring. We feel that he is the perfect fit for the Digital DIVA directorship. In his free time, Kal enjoys the outdoors by sailing, skiing, biking and spending time with his family and dogs.
Venus
Lead DIVA
Venus is a 3-year-old Malinois who has made her mark as a class A DIVA. She is particularly talented at chasing bunnies, swimming after sticks and obsessing over tennis balls. Venus regularly demonstrates her insatiable need for attention. Smart and beautiful but high-maintenance, she is an incredible family dog and is the ultimate Digital DIVA mascot.