Our 2024 Board of Directors and Leaders
To get where the veterinary profession needs to go, it takes a dynamic group of people leading the way. Get to know our leadership team.
Gary Lewis
DVM
Immediate Past President
Dr. Lewis received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1999 from Washington State University. He also attended the University of Idaho where he received a Bachelors of Animal Science in 1993 and a Masters of Animal Science in 1995. Upon graduation from veterinary school, he purchased Valley View Veterinary Clinic. His wife, Brandee, teaches agriculture at Shoshone High School. His son, Colton, graduated from high school in 2017 and daughter, Meghan, is in high school and is active in rodeo, FFA, and 4-H.
John Coplin
DVM
President
“Work should be fun. I am so blessed to have such a caring, compassionate and hard-working staff. Our relationship with our clients and their animals is the most rewarding part of our jobs.”
Dr. Coplin grew up in South Western Wyoming and completed his undergraduate work at the University of Wyoming. He graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. Dr. Coplin then returned to Wyoming where he practiced in mixed animal practices for five years before purchasing Willowcreek Animal Hospital in 1999. In 2004, he also purchased Fremont Animal Care Center in St. Anthony. He is passionate about veterinary medicine and is especially interested in equine lameness, dentistry, and reproduction. Dr. Coplin also enjoys team roping, hunting, fishing, skiing, snow machining, and flying. In 2010, Dr. Coplin was appointed to the Idaho State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Alicia Ewing
DVM, MS
President-Elect
Dr. Alicia Ewing is a graduate of University of Idaho and Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She has been practicing in the Treasure Valley since 2014 and at Snake River Veterinary Center since 2015. Dr. Ewing Purchased the practice in January of 2019. She is versed in both large and small animal medicine and enjoys every aspect of working in a mixed animal veterinary practice. Dr. Ewing grew up on a cattle ranch in Western Montana but has been living in Idaho for 18 years. She enjoys being a member of the local Crossfit gym and outdoor activities like horseback riding and hiking and spending time with her four-legged kids- a blue heeler named Patches and two cow dog mixes Spud and Walleye.
Elizabeth Kohtz
DVM
Treasurer
Dr. Kohtz has over 13 years of veterinary experience and owns and operates a dairy veterinary practice, milk quality laboratory, and row crop farm. She practices full-spectrum dairy medicine, as well as consults with large dairies. Dr. Kohtz serves as president of the Twin Falls County Farm Bureau, is a graduate of AFBF PAL Class 7, past president of the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association, past secretary/treasurer of the Magic Valley Veterinary Medical Association, past president of the Philanthropic Educational Organization, PTO secretary of St. Edwards Catholic School, and chairman of the Kimberly FFA Advisory Board. Dr. Kohtz is an avid runner and dabbles in Ironman 70.3 triathlons
Sherilynn Burkman
DVM
AVMA Alternate Delegate
Dr. Sherilynn Burkman earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 2003, along with a certification in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture. Dr. Burkman is also the only Veterinarian in Southeast Idaho who is certified in Acupuncture.
She practiced in Arizona prior to relocation to the great state of Idaho. Dr. Burkman’s special interests include internal medicine, infectious disease, ophthalmology, emergency medicine, dentistry, the human-animal bond, and grief support. She is an active member of the Eastern Idaho Veterinary Medical Association and serves on the Board of the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Burkman and her husband, Josh, are the proud parents of Jaedynn. The family has two energetic herding-breed dogs and one special-needs cat. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Burkman enjoys running, cycling, travel, hiking, backpacking, zip lining, tile-setting, and building various projects. Please help us in welcoming Dr. Burkman to our hospital!
Jennifer Puckett
DVM
SWIVMA Representative
Dr. Jen Puckett always had animals while growing up; it didn’t take her long to develop an innate passion for pet care. When she interviewed a local veterinarian for a seventh-grade school project, she couldn’t help but be impressed by the professionalism, expertise, and compassion that she witnessed firsthand. Dr. Puckett decided right then and there that the veterinary profession was a natural fit for her!
Dr. Puckett grew up in San Jose, California and attended the University of California-Davis to study as a member of the University’s strong animal science program. During her education, Dr. Puckett worked part-time at the school’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital and as a Veterinary Technician at surrounding clinics in order to gain real-world experience before applying to veterinary school. She then attended Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, earning her Doctorate in 2013, before completing a year-long internship and then starting her professional career. After working in both mixed-animal practice and corporate veterinary medicine, Dr. Puckett was thrilled to join the River City Veterinary Hospital family in May of 2016. She loves having the opportunity to challenge herself academically and medically while working in a family-centered environment to better the lives of pets and their owners. Internal medicine is a particular passion of hers, and she’s also fond of managing chronic illness and performing dental work.Outside of her interests in the veterinary world, Dr. Puckett enjoys playing the piano, running, swimming, hiking, camping, and boating. She and her husband, Cody, live in the Treasure Valley with a trio of pets: Ruby is an accident-prone German short-haired pointer (good thing her mother is a veterinarian!); Hazel is a loving and goofy doodle and Maize the cat enjoys taunting the dogs whenever the opportunity arises.
Christine Smart
VMD
NIVMA President
Dr. Christine Smart grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as she can remember. She graduated from Swarthmore College with a degree in Biology in 1993. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1997.
She has practicedsmall animal medicine in Pennsylvania and Louisiana prior to moving to Idaho in 2005. She and her husband Matt left the New Orleans area 4 days before Hurricane Katrina to move to Sandpoint, Idaho.
Dr. Smart joined Pend Oreille Veterinary Service in 2005 and became a partner in the practice in 2010. Her veterinary interests include internal medicine, oncology/hematology, ultrasound, endoscopy and feline medicine. She also enjoys collaborating to manage the practice and to strives create a positive work culture with work life balance.
Away from work, Dr. Smart enjoys spending time with her husband, their children Avery and Indigo, their 2 dogs, 5 cats, 8 chickens and 20 horses. She helps her husband run a summer trail riding business at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. In her free time, she likes to trail ride, hike, snowboard, CrossFit, run, read, and travel.
Denise Konetchy
DVM
U of I Representative
Owner and clinical practitioner of a rural mixed animal veterinary practice. The practice emphasized strategies, of preventative medicine, herd health and client education. In addition I was a temporary instructor at the University of Idaho.
Travis Jones
Executive Director
Travis, principal of Boise-based Riley Stegner and Associates, has extensive experience in policy advocacy and association management. He spent nine years as Executive Director of the Idaho Grain Producers Association – the statewide advocacy voice of Idaho’s wheat and barley producers and agribusinesses partners.
Travis grew up in Wallowa County, Oregon – an area three times the size of Rhode Island but with only 7,300 residents. He was raised working for all the family businesses – ranching, farming, logging, excavation, and ready-mix concrete.
Jones holds a B.S. in Agricultural Business and an M.S. in Agricultural Economics, both from the University of Idaho. His passion for higher ed has translated to a long list of service to his alma mater, where he currently serves as president of the UI Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Travis has followed in his father Terry’s footsteps volunteering in the sport of rodeo. Travis serves as an Associate Director on the board of the Caldwell Night Rodeo in Caldwell, Idaho while Terry is the president of Chief Joseph Days Rodeo in Joseph, Oregon.
He is a father to three children alongside wife Samantha,
and enjoys all things sports, fitness, big game hunting, concerts, and spending
time with his family.
Meet the Past Presidents of the IVMA
Founded in 1919, the IVMA has a rich history of dedicated leaders committed to the advancement and integrity of the veterinary profession.
2023
Gary Lewis, DVM
2022
Kathy Ponozzo, DVM
2021
Jennifer Puckett, DVM
2020
Steven Haymore, DVM
2019
Elizabeth Kohtz, DVM
2018
David Ard, DVM
2017
Mark Howlett, DVM
2016
Sherilynn Burkman, DVM
2015
Jennifer Glass, DVM
2014
Robert Pierce, DVM
2013
Brett Bingham, DVM
2012
Les Stone, DVM
2011
Gary Lewis, DVM
2010
Tonia Gable, DVM
2009
Brent Varriale, DVM
2008
Brad Francis, DVM
2007
Jody Rockett, DVM
2006
David Tester, DVM
2005
James England, DVM
2004
Thomas Moe, DVM
2003
Jeffrey Heins, DVM
2002
Dave Rustebakke, DVM
2001
Dave Schulz, DVM
2000
Rena Carlson, DVM
1999
Sue Bosted, DVM
1998
Dave Gerber, DVM
1997
Leonard Sherman, DVM
1996
Bruce Lancaster, DVM
1995
William Kearley, DVM
1994
Gordon Woods, DVM,Ph.D
1993
J.J. Smiley, DVM
1992
Brian Risa, DVM
1991
Darwin Yoder, DVM
1990
Margretta Kethler, DVM
1989
W. Greg Nelson, DVM
1988
Rhonda Aliah-Davis, DVM
1987
Lloyd Knight, DVM
1986
Clarence Binninger, DVM
1985
Jack Walker, DVM
1984
Thomas Moe, DVM
1983
Gerald Lewis, DVM
1982
Howard Ronk, DVM
1981
John Lee, DVM
1980
Tim Hutchinson, DVM
1979
Robert Beede, DVM
1978
Henry Zimet, DVM
1977
Gerald Conger, DVM
1976
Hyrum Kershaw, DVM
1975
Charles Manners, DVM
1974
Gary McIntosh, DVM
1973
Schuyler Enochs, DVM
1972
Peter South, DVM
1971
Harold Hammerquist, DVM
1970
Harry Vaughn, DVM
1969
Millard W. Ickes, DVM
1968
W.K. Walker, DVM
1967
J.C. McMillin, DVM
1940
K.K. Shott, DVM
1939
K.K. Shott, DVM
1938
E.H. Ikard, DVM
1966
L.H. Scrivner, DVM
1965
Ren C. Derrer, DVM
1964
Phil H. Graves, DVM
1963
Phil H. Graves, DVM
1962
Roy M. Thornburg, DVM
1961
Roy M. Thornburg, DVM
1960
Jim W. Bailey, DVM
1959
Jim W. Bailey, DVM
1958
John C. Williams, DVM
1957
John C. Williams, DVM
1956
John G. Hayden, DVM
1955
John G. Hayden, DVM
1954
Walt E. Cameron, DVM
1953
Walt E. Cameron, DVM
1952
Lawrence V. Ruebel, DVM
1951
Lawrence V. Ruebel, DVM
1950
E. Don Copple, DVM
1949
E. Don Copple, DVM
1948
M. Grootes, DVM
1947
M. Grootes, DVM
1946
J.D. Lee, DVM
1945
J.D. Lee, DVM
1944
Paul S. Hannah, DVM
1943
Paul S. Hannah, DVM
1942
Phil H. Graves, DVM
1941
Phil H. Graves, DVM
1937
E.H. Ikard, DVM
1936
E.H. Ikard, DVM
1923
A.T. Powell, DVM
1922
Roy B. Hurd, DVM
1920
O.L. Cornwall, DVM