Dr. Elsa Beck, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM (Oncology), Dipl. ACVR (Radiation Oncology)

Dr. Beck joined The Hope Center in 2007 after a prestigious career in the field of Veterinary Oncology. Double-Boarded in Veterinary Oncology and Radiation Therapy, Dr. Beck has worked with a number of academic and private institutions providing her expertise and guidance. Dr. Beck’s major focus has been on developing cutting edge cancer treatments in pets that could be rapidly translated into human treatments. She believes in a multidiscipline approach, combining the best combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and other cancer treatments, to provide the best possible care, while avoiding side effects, and making the process as pleasant as possible for pets and their owners.

Dr. Conor McNeill, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM (Oncology)

Dr. Conor McNeill joined The Hope Center in August 2009. He received his veterinary degree from Utrecht University in the Netherlands in 2003, and, after moving to the United States, he completed a one-year rotating small animal internship in medicine and surgery at the M. J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania 2005. He remained at the University of Pennsylvania to complete a residency in medical oncology in July 2008 and fellowship in radiation oncology in July 2009. His research interests include lymphoma, osteosarcoma and mammary cancer. Dr. Conor McNeill is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and is board certified in Oncology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Tessa Bowers, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia)

Tessa has been working in the veterinary field since 1992. She completed her degree in veterinary technology in 1996 and has since amassed experience in private practice, surgery, emergency medicine and, now, oncology. Tessa has always had an interest in anesthesia and pain management and became a certified anesthesia technician in 2008. She also keeps up to date on new and successful nutritional and alternative therapies for her patients.

Tessa has been married since 1998 and has numerous pets: Guenevere (Chocolate Lab), Abby (Pointer Mix), Zero (DSH), Lacey Anne and Merlot (Maine Coons), and Katie (DSH)

She is a member of: Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS), International Veterinary Acadamey of Pain Management (IVAPM), Virginia Association of Licensed Veterinary Technicians (VALVT), Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists (AVTA.)

Michelle Guarino

Michelle has always known that she would end up working with animals. She has been working in the veterinary field for the past 9 years. In 2007 she graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelors of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics. Currently, Michelle is persuing her veterinary technician degree at Cedar Valley College. Michelle lives in Vienna with her little zoo. She has Guss, the Siberian Husky; Gabby, the German Shepherd; Zu, the Coonhound Mix; Luna, the cat. In her spare time, Michelle loves spending time with her animals, friends, family, and hiking.

Ashleigh Fairfield, LVT

Ashleigh joined the The Hope Center in August of 2008 after completing a rotating externship throughout the Hope Center for Advanced Veterinary Medicine. She has been working in the Veterinary field since May of 2004 and recieved her license to practice as a Veterinary Technician in May 2009. Ashleigh shares her time with Oncology as well as the Emergency department of the Hope Center and The Veterinary Surgical Center. She has one cat, Michael Keaton, and two dogs, Balto and AJ. She one day hopes to further her education and research arctic wildlife.

Lisa Scott, LVT

Lisa has been working in Veterinary Medicine since 1998 in various fields. She graduated cum laude in the Veterinary Technology program at NVCC in 2002 and completed her Bachelors of Science in Biology at George Mason University in 2009. She joined The Hope Center in 2004 working in the Emergency and Critical Care department and was quickly promoted to Lead Technician for the overnight shift. In 2010, a new and exciting challenge arose within the Oncology department that allowed her to become the Lead Technician for Dr. McNeill. She looks forward to providing your pets with the same compassion and dedication as if they were her own.

She was married on the white sands of Aruba in 2009 and lives happily with her husband and their 4 pets: Gabriel (drama queen), Kristy (cuddly food vacuum), Romeo (skittish food vacuum), and Monte Cristo (Chesapeake Bay Retriever who saved a drowning boys life in OBX.) They are looking forward to expanding their family, except this time with two legs.

She is a member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS.)

Beth Marty, LVT

Beth has served in various Federal civil service positions to include Director, Child Develoment Center in West Germany, Education Specialist for the Army Corps of Engineers, and Legislative Affairs Officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Upon completion of her civil service career, Beth returned to school to become a Licenced Veterinary Technician (LVT). She has been working as an LVT in the Northern Virginia area for the past 10 years. Beth has worked in the Emergency department of The Hope Center for three years and works part time with the Oncology department. Beth and her husband, Tom, have five adorable animals: Deacon, Pedro, Simon, Tasso, and Megan, which consititute two dogs, two cats and a love bird.

Michael Brasz

Michael has worked in vet field since 1997 in numerous positions from kennel help to tech to manager to reception. She has been at hope since 2004.

She is the proud owner of 2 rescued Chinese Crested’s and 2 cats, who were also rescued. Michael has fostered numerous types of infant wildlife including foxes, raccoons, kittens and squirrels. She enjoys collecting all things Disney, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Stephanie Ellis

Stephanie has been a receptionist in the emergency department since 2002 and recently began working for Oncology. While she has been in the veterinary field since 1985, she is also pursuing degrees in accounting and business management. She is currently a member of the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society, including the ACS Relay for Life team "Paws for a Cure". Stephanie spends her free time with her Bichons Leo and Rocko.