Faculty
W.O. Brinker Endowed Chair of Veterinary Surgery
ACVS Founding Fellow MIS Orthopaedics Small Animals
As an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Déjardin specializes in adult and pediatric traumatology, as well as revision surgery. In addition, Dr. Déjardin is leading a unique and comprehensive total joint replacement program for hip, knee, elbow, and ankle joints.
Dr. Déjardin is a trustee of the AO Foundation, as well as faculty at numerous advanced orthopedic courses taught worldwide. Dr. Déjardin is a true pioneer, leading a wide-ranging minimally invasive orthopedic traumatology course which teaches cutting-edge surgical techniques that he developed at MSU, including the I-Loc interlocking nail system.
His current research activities focus on joint biomechanics and implant design, as well as development of new minimally invasive surgical techniques for the treatment of complex fractures in adult and pediatric patients. For this work, he collaborates with the AO Foundation and other industry partners.
Dr. Déjardin's extensive work in applied basic science and clinical research has been nationally and internationally recognized. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Déjardin and his team of residents and research associates have won prestigious awards. The team has developed and sustained research programs that have led to numerous publications and worldwide presentations.
Pat Carrigan Professor of Feline Medicine
Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. Karen Perry specializes in traumatology, feline orthopedics, arthroscopic surgery, and the use of negative pressure wound therapy to minimize wound-associated complications in orthopedic patients. She became a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2011 and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2014. Perry’s goal is to increase the feline case load, increase the use of minimally-invasive arthroscopic surgery and expand the use of negative pressure wound therapy into the orthopedic department in collaboration with the existing expertise in the soft tissue department.
Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. Podsiedlik joined MSU College of Veterinary Medicine as an assistant professor (HP) in Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery in November 2021.
Dr. Podsiedlik earned her DVM from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (Poland) in 2016. She came to the United States the same year to undertake her one-year-position at MSU as an International Surgical Training Scholar. Then she went on to complete a Small Animal Rotating Internship at Oregon State University, ACVS Surgery Residency and a Master of Science in Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. In 2023 she passed her board examination and became Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Small Animal.
During her tenure as an International Surgical Scholar, Dr.Podsiedlik was part of a research team studying Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis Polyneuropathy (GOLPP). During her residency and master’s degree research, Dr. Podsiedlik authored manuscript on cervical paravertebral nerve blocks in dogs and co-authored article on anastomotic techniques.
Dr. Podsiedlik’s current clinical interest include total joint replacement (hip), traumatology and arthroscopic surgery. She has a strong passion for and several years of teaching experience as a lecturer and clinical instructor.
Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. Danielle Marturello completed her surgical residency training at Michigan State University with a dual Master of Science program. Her work focused on the development of a feline bone substitute and mechanical testing of feline orthopedic implants and has been presented at both national and international meetings. Dr. Marturello is particularly interested in 3D printing, traumatology, and gait analysis. Additionally, she is a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner and enjoys implementing post-operative rehabilitation into her patient recovery plans. Her current research activities include mechanical testing and 3D printing, with an interest in development of patient-specific instrumentation and implant design.
Residents
Surgery Resident
Dr. Tessa Adam was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, but chose to attend college in Southern California to see a different part of the country.
"I have always been fascinated with the natural world and explored my interest in ecology while at Pomona College. I enjoyed this field of research, but I ultimately decided that veterinary medicine was my true passion. I attended Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and completed a rotating internship at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. During my internship at OSU, I realized that I wanted to specialize in surgery because it is an intellectually stimulating field that allows veterinarians to take an active approach in the treatment of a disease or injury. I completed a surgery internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC in 2022, where I delved further into the field of surgery and began to develop my surgical skills. I am excited to have returned to MSU College of Veterinary Medicine for a surgical residency. I place great importance on providing excellent patient care and client communication for all surgical patients. My special areas of interest in surgery include post-operative analgesia, surgical oncology, wound management, and fracture repair."
Surgery Resident
Dr. Bartels is a surgery resident for the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences with a special interest in orthopedic surgery, particularly traumatology and 3D printing; neurology, specifically hemilaminectomies; and soft tissue surgery, particularly minimally invasive procedures involving thoracic and abdominal cavities.
Surgery Resident
Dr. Stephanie Meilleur is a surgical resident. She earned her veterinary degree from Kansas State University in 2012 and certification in Canine Rehabilitation in 2014. Her work experience includes 5 years as an emergency veterinarian outside Washington DC seeing a variety of trauma and performing emergency surgeries. Her passion for working dogs and surgery lead her to complete a sports medicine internship at Veterinary Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, a surgical internship at Pet Specialists of Austin and an Orthopedic Research Associate position under Dr. Loïc Déjardin at Michigan State University. As a Major in the United States Army Reserve, she deployed to Afghanistan overseeing 180 working dogs, teaching K9 TCCC to service members and coalition forces as well as managing several critical patients. Additionally, she has been working with Veterinary Tactical Group to train federal and governmental canine handlers, tactical medics, and veterinary personnel in treatment of working dog emergencies in the field since 2015. Her interests revolve around working dogs, trauma, orthopedics and sports medicine. Her goals are to expand working dog medicine and keep the dog in the fight.
Interns
Surgery Resident
Dr. Lauren Meneghetti is originally from Northern California where she grew up in the Bay Area. She attended Sonoma State University and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Biology with a concentration in physiology, cell biology, and molecular biology. She then attended Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and received her DVM degree in 2020. After veterinary school, Dr. Meneghetti did a small animal rotating internship at VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center. From there, she did two additional specialty internships in small animal surgery,the first at Lenity Vet Specialists and Emergency and the second at MSU Veterinary Medical Center. She is remaining at the MSU Veterinary Medical Center where she is a current Small Animal Surgery Resident. While enjoying all aspects of the surgery field, Dr. Meneghetti has a special interest in feline cases.
Veterinary Technicians
Veterinary Technician
Rachel Phillips graduated from Michigan State with a BS degree in Veterinary Technology in 2014. She joined MSU's Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery Service in April 2015 as a scrub nurse, coordinator, and scheduler.