About Us
Beltsville's Neighborhood Veterinarians Since 1965Meet Our Team
Find more about our exceptional team of care providers below.
Feel free to visit us in person and meet our care team first-hand by scheduling a tour or appointment. Contact us!
Our Veterinarians
Kathryn Fink, DVM
Becoming a vet has been Dr. Fink’s goal since she was 9 years old. She attended Michigan State University and graduated in 2004. In October of the same year, she moved to Maryland and began working at BVH. She is now the practice’s medical director and part owner.
When Dr. Fink is not at work, she fills her life with friends and family. She loves staying physically active with walking many of the local trails and spending time outdoors. If she’s not outside, she’s inside enjoying a good book or cooking/baking. She currently lives in Ellicott City with her husband.
Marjorie Farris, DVM
Dr. Margie Farris joined the Beltsville team part-time in 2020. Margie left her home state of Georgia for the University of Iowa for her undergraduate degree before returning to the University of Georgia for veterinary school. After graduating in 2009, she made it up to the Washington DC area based on the recommendation of her brother for having both warm and cold weather with good outdoor activities in a city setting.
Growing up she always wanted to be a veterinarian. She enjoys the resilience and love that animals have for their families. She tries to focus on preventative medicine to keep pets happy and healthy for as long as possible.
Margie shares her home with her two children, cats Bailey and Athena, and dog Wally. She enjoys playing soccer and getting out on trails for long walks to try to tire her dog out.
Liz Passmore, DVM
Maryland native Dr. Elizabeth Passmore is a familiar face at Beltsville Veterinary Hospital, having begun her career here as a kennel attendant. Her life-long love of animals inspired her to earn a Bachelor’s in Animal Science from the University of Maryland and her DVM from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She worked as a veterinarian here for five years before relocating for a few years to North Carolina.
We are thrilled to have Dr. Passmore back here at Beltsville Veterinary Hospital, where she brings extensive experience in general practice veterinary medicine. Having fun interacting with clients and teammates while trying to keep pets healthy is one of her favorite parts of her job. She loves working with clients to find the best care options for their pets. Dr. Passmore is passionate about early socialization and training, especially for dogs because it can prevent a whole host of issues, leading to a dog that is relaxed and enjoying its life, and an owner that can really enjoy their pet.
At home, Dr. Passmore has a female Irish Setter named Reagan and a male cat named Sam. She enjoys garden and home projects, horseback riding, and spending time with her family.
Melissa Reidy, DVM
Dr. Melissa Reidy has been with Beltsville Veterinary Hospital as a relief veterinary since 2019. Originally from Maryland, she decided to attend veterinary school in Dublin, Ireland in 1999, graduating in 2004. After returning home to Maryland, she spent many years in general practice before turning her attention to emergency and relief work.
Her special interests include feline medicine, geriatric medicine, and palliative care. She is also very involved with traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, or TCVM, and enjoys helping her patients with alternative therapies such as acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Dr. Reidy lives in Glen Burnie with her four cats and two shih tzus, Mose and Stanley, and in her free time enjoys hiking, kayaking, and traveling with the dogs.
Boris Skopets, DVM
Dr. Skopets was born, raised and educated in Riga, Latvija (former USSR). He emigrated to the United States in 1990, where he re-established his veterinary credentials, which included a year of clinical rotations at Purdue University, School of Veterinary Medicine.
He has been involved in veterinary research throughout his career and has experience treating dogs, cats, and pet rodents.
Dr. Skopets is married with two grown children. His wife is a neurologist, practicing human medicine in Maryland.
Shawnne Spencer, DVM
Dr. Spencer is a Maryland native who has always been interested in animal care. In 2003, he and his brother were the first pair of twins to ever simultaneously receive DVM degrees from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He previously worked at Fairland Animal Hospital in Silver Spring, and joined Beltsville Veterinary Hospital in April 2020.
In addition to his official duties here, Dr. Spencer sits on the medical advisory board of the SPCA Humane Society of Prince George’s County. When not at work, Dr. Spencer enjoys spending time with his family and his pet dog, named Indie.
David Tuthill, DVM
Dr. David Tuthill, a seasoned veterinarian with a passion for family pet care, has practiced at the Beltsville Veterinary Hospital since January 2023. Hailing from College Park, MD, Dr. Tuthill earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with Honors from the University of Maryland College Park in 1982. He later obtained his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, VA in 1988.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Tuthill has gained extensive experience across various veterinary domains. From mixed animal practice in his early years to specializing in small animal emergency medicine and surgery, he has also ventured into biomedical and zoological research and teaching. For over fifteen years, he has dedicated his expertise as a primary care veterinarian for dogs and cats.
Dr. Tuthill finds fulfillment in practicing family medicine for pets, with a particular interest in infectious diseases, general surgery, and geriatrics. His overarching goal is to empower pet owners to provide optimal care and enhance the quality of life for their beloved companions, fostering enduring happiness and health.
Our Practice Manager
Julisa Blair
Julisa Blair has been our dedicated Practice Manager since May 2023. She brings a diverse background and expertise to the role. Growing up in Gaithersburg, MD, Julisa has always been proud of her Jamaican heritage as a first-generation American. She embarked on her academic journey at Montgomery College, studying Biology and Nutritional Wellness from 2010 to 2012, while simultaneously delving into veterinary medicine and personal training, earning her CPT certification in 2013.
In 2016, Julisa ventured into business management within the HVAC industry, eventually obtaining licensure in Business Management in VA in 2018. However, her passion for veterinary medicine led her back to the field in 2021, where she embraced the role of Assistant Manager/Supervisor. Julisa’s lifelong dedication to veterinary care started at the age of 5, driven by her desire to help both animals and people.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Julisa finds joy in exploring hiking trails, discovering new culinary experiences at restaurants, and immersing herself in the world of fine arts and plays. At home, she shares her life with four beloved pets: three cats named Queen Isis, Cleopatra, and Artemis, and a loyal canine companion named Kal-L.
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About Us
Founded by Dr. A.C. Brown in 1965, Beltsville Veterinary Hospital has been your neighborhood veterinarian for over 50 years. We grew up with this community, and we care for its pets like they are our own. Our goal is to provide every animal with a lifetime of optimal health. This means we emphasize preventive medicine, including regular checkups, lab screenings, and vaccinations. We also have complete diagnostic and surgical suites to detect and treat any unexpected conditions.
Every member of our professional family is committed to exceptional care. Most of our veterinarians, technicians, kennel workers, and administrative staff have been with us for many years. They are up-to-date on the latest veterinary care practices and procedures. Everyone is familiar with advanced and modern diagnostic equipment.
We love our community and pride ourselves on providing great, quality pet care. We often host veterinary school residents at our practice because we understand the importance of the mentorship to upcoming care providers. Each May you can also find us at Beltsville Day celebrating with our community and sharing health resources with area pet owners.
We proudly care for the pets of Beltsville and our surrounding communities of Calverton, College Park, Laurel, Greenbelt, Silver Spring, and beyond!
Our Facility
Visit our convenient location right off the I-95 Beltway. We have plenty of parking, an outside walking area, and welcoming and cozy facility with multiple exam rooms and extensive boarding options.
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