VETERINARIANS
Dr. Lisa Sanford
DVM/Owner
​
Dr. Sanford grew up in central Minnesota spending time on her grandparent's 30 cow dairy farm. Her first memories of the farm were hearing the stanchion crack as she tried to pet the cow's faces. Those experiences influenced her decision to pursue a career in dairy medicine.
Both of Dr. Sanford's degrees are from Iowa State University. She received a B.S. in Animal Science in 1997, and her D.V.M. in 2001. During her college career, she worked extensively at the ISU Dairy conducting research in calf physiology, health, and nutrition. She also worked at the National Animal Disease Center assisting with food safety microbiology and research.
Sterner Veterinary Clinic was Dr. Sanford's first professional job out of school. While here, she met her husband, Peter, and was married in 2007. Her professional interests include reproductive physiology (male and female), records analysis, calf health, and nutrition.
Dr. Krista Cook
DVM/Owner
​
Dr. Krista Cook grew up in Ontario and graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2006. She moved to Michigan and began working at the Sterner Veterinary Clinic immediately following graduation. Krista continues to enjoy the diversity of clients and farms that the practice has to offer. Professional interests include bovine reproduction, calf health, and employee training. She is married with 2 children and one very large dog. Outside of work, Krista enjoys running, swimming, and raising a handful of Holstein bull calves.
​
Dr. Kayla Clark
DVM/Owner
Dr. Clark grew up in Guilford, Vermont on a small dairy farm. She received her B.S in Animal Science from the University of Vermont in 2011 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. After graduation, Dr. Clark moved to Michigan and joined Sterner Veterinary Clinic in June 2015. She has an Australian Shepherd Addy and cat Theo. Dr. Clark's interests include calf health, dairy records analysis, milk quality, beef cow/calf management and surgery. She also enjoys traveling, photography, reading, hiking, camping and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Courtney Matthias
DVM/Owner
​
Dr. Courtney Matthias (Doan) grew up in Merrill, Michigan on a cow/calf beef farm. She received her bachelor's degree in Animal Science in 2014 and her veterinary medicine degree in 2018, both from Michigan State University. Dr. Matthias started working for Sterner Veterinary Clinic in May 2018. She lives in Ionia with her husband, daughter, son and Australian Cattle Dog mix. Dr. Matthias enjoys camping and biking with family and friends.
​
Dr. Daron Jones
DVM
​
Dr. Daron Jones graduated from Michigan State University‘s college of veterinary medicine in 2009. After graduation, Daron moved to the Westphalia area and began working with Countyline Veterinary Service until he transferred to Sterner Veterinary Clinic in 2019. Daron, along with his wife Amber, and their four children run a small cow-calf beef farm and enjoy doing life together!
Dr. Bryce Slavik
DVM
​
Dr. Slavik grew up on a dairy farm near Ashley, Michigan where he discovered his passion for livestock and agriculture. Bryce attended Michigan State University where he earned a B.S. in Animal Science in 2006 and D.V.M. in 2009. His elective coursework focused on ruminant nutrition and reproduction during undergraduate studies and production medicine during veterinary school. During his time at MSU, he met his wife Hannah and they were married in 2007.
After graduation, Bryce began practicing as an embryo transfer (ET) specialist. In 2010 he was certified by the American Embryo Transfer Association. Over the next decade, his skillset expanded into other areas of assisted reproduction including in-vitro embryo technologies and oocyte collections. Dr. Slavik joined the team at Sterner Veterinary Clinic in 2020.
Bryce and Hannah live near Lansing with their four daughters. In his free time, Dr. Slavik has enjoyed spending time at the family farm where he stays involved with the beef cow/calf and dairy operations.
Dr. Kyle Longcore
DVM
​
Dr. Kyle Longcore grew up on a beef farm in Cedar Springs, MI. In 2021, he graduated from Michigan State University with his DVM. Kyle's interests include dairy herd health, parlor management, and advanced reproduction, including embryo transfer. Outside of veterinary medicine, Kyle enjoys sports, working on his family beef farm, and spending time with his wonderful wife Grace.
Dr. Emmy Schuurmans
DVM
​
Dr. Emily “Emmy” Schuurmans grew up milking cows on her family’s dairy farm in Freeport, MI. She completed her BS in Animal Science in 2019 and her DVM in 2023, both from Michigan State University. Dr. Schuurmans joined the Sterner team shortly after graduation. During her undergraduate studies, she performed on-farm research on dairy cattle fertility programs, which has become a strong interest of hers. Outside of veterinary medicine, Emmy enjoys volleyball, watercolors, and adventuring with her golden retriever, George.