ABOUT US
Our mission at Lake County Veterinary Clinics is to deliver steadfast excellence in comprehensive veterinary care, prioritizing the comfort and dignity of our patients. Through proactive preventative healthcare, compassionate client education, and fostering a culture of mutual respect among our team members, we aim to provide every pet with the highest standard of care and empower their human companions with the knowledge and support they need for a fulfilling companionship.
Dr. Grace Brown, Medical Director/Veterinarian
Medical Director/Veterinarian
Dr. Grace Brown is originally from Duluth, Minnesota, and she previously worked at the Lake County Veterinary Clinics as a veterinary assistant to explore the profession of veterinary medicine.
Her interest in pursuing a veterinary medicine career began when her healthcare providers recommended an animal companion for therapy to help her through a difficult medical recovery. Her wonderful experience with her companion dog, Rosie, awoke within her deep compassion and empathy for animals. She realized that as a veterinarian she could make a positive difference not only in their lives but in the lives of the people who rely on their pets for companionship and physical well-being.
Dr. Brown received her undergraduate degree in 2010 from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in September 2015. She completed her clinical training at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. In 2018 Dr. Grace completed clinical residency training in dentistry and oral maxillofacial surgery with Arizona Veterinary Dental Specialists under the mentorship of Dr. Balke and Dr. Coffman. She was also trained by Dr. Visser, one of the founding members of dentistry. Dr. Brown completed her didactic residency training in Dentistry with the mentorship of Dr. Kling from the University of Illinois in 2021. She knows that every pet deserves quality dental care throughout their life to have a pain-free and comfortable mouth.
Dr. Brown knows that providing comprehensive oral care for companion animals is one of the most beneficial activities that she can perform for her patients. She is excited about the opportunity to offer advances in veterinary medicine to her patients. She also looks forward to educating and sharing her knowledge and skills with her colleagues, clients, and the community to provide exceptional dentistry and oral surgery in Northland.
Outside work, Dr. Brown enjoys spending time with her husband Danny, family, friends, and their three dogs Rosie, Martin, and Goldie. Some of her favorite activities are oil painting, singing, and figure skating. She looks forward to working with her clients with the goal of helping them spend more quality time with the pets that they love.
Dr. Oleg Broytman, Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Oleg Broytman received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Binghamton University in central New York State. He then completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison School of Veterinary Medicine in May of 2023. Dr. Oleg’s special interests include internal medicine, nutrition, canine physical therapy, and sports medicine. He did an externship at Lake County Veterinary Clinics in October 2022 as a veterinary student and is very excited to be joining the team as a doctor.
Dr. Oleg and his wife fell in love with the North Shore after many visits to hike the Superior Hiking Trail, paddle and portage in the Boundary Waters, explore the cross-country ski trails and go on several dogsledding adventures and winter camping trips. They are very excited to finally realize their dream of seeing Lake Superior out of their window every morning.
In his free time, Dr. Broytman likes keeping honeybees, fishing, hunting, or exploring nature trails with his wife and their dog Molly.
Dr. Robyn Schmidt, Associate DVM (Coming May 6)
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Schmidt received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Geology from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. She worked as an archaeologist and paleontologist for many years before completing her veterinary medicine pre-requisite courses at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. After receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Schmidt had the privilege of working for small animal practices in Alaska, Texas and Minnesota. Dr. Schmidt enjoys being a general practitioner and a “Jill of all trades”. Because of her work in numerous states, she has a wealth of knowledge for various diseases processes and uses her training and knowledge from her experiences to help find solutions for the patient in need. Dr. Schmidt loves working with senior patients but she also enjoys puppy and kittens visits. She has keen interest in dermatology and ophthalmology. She is thrilled to back in northern Minnesota, near her family and friends.
In her free time, Dr. Schmidt enjoys hiking and walking in nature, camping, traveling, reading, photography and spending time with friends.
Dr. Mari LaMoore, Associate DVM- Grand Marais
Dr. Mari LaMoore, Associate DVM- Grand Marais
Dr. LaMoore received her Bachelor of Arts from Mount Holyoke College and her Master of Public Health and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from the University of Minnesota. After working in general veterinary practice with both pets and livestock, she completed her animal chiropractic training at Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic in Wellsville, Kansas, and became certified by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association. She and her husband are new residents of Grand Marais and are thrilled to be making the North Shore of Minnesota their home.
In her free time, Dr. LaMoore loves raising fiber sheep, growing food in her garden, walking in nature, reading, and practicing yoga.
Brian Wiszowaty, Practice Manager
Practice Manager
Brian has been part of Lake County Veterinary Clinics since 2002. He has previously worked at the International Wolf Center as an assistant curator, an EMT for Lake County, and technician at the Chicago Cat Clinic back in the 90’s. Brian enjoys guitar, music, basketball and nature. He can be found enjoying life with his wife and daughters and all their many pets!
Education: A.S., A.A.S.
Email:[email protected]
Barb Omarzu, Certified Veterinary Technician
Certified Veterinary Technician
Barb has been working at the Lake County Veterinary Clinic since June 2006. She graduated from Duluth Business University in December 2008 with an A.A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology. Barb has lived in Two Harbors since 1983 with her husband Al. She enjoys being outdoors, especially cross country skiing in the winter. You can find Barb gardening, bicycling, kayaking and riding horses throughout the summer. She owns a horse, Shady and two dogs, Indigo and Taz.
Education: Duluth Business University
Email:[email protected]
Roxanne Farley, Veterinary Technician
Veterinary Technician
Roxanne started out as a relief Veterinary Technician at Lake County Veterinary Clinics in 2019 and then became a permanent part of the team in 2020 as a CSR/Vet-Tech. She has previously worked at the BluePearl Pet Hospital in Duluth, a small animal practice in St. Paul, a mixed animal practice in Windom, and as a farm hand at a llama/alpaca/horse farm in southern Minnesota. She has always had a deep love for animals of all kinds, especially the abandoned and unwanted, and currently has three dogs, Emma, Oreo and Sugar, and one cat, Gandalf the Gray. In her spare time, Roxanne loves hiking and kayaking and hanging out with her friends and family, especially on the shores of Lake Superior.
Kelly Fisher, Lead Customer Service Rep
Lead Customer Service Representative
Kelly has been with us since January 2016. She comes to us from the BluePearl Emergency Veterinary Service in Duluth, where she has worked for the past 14 years. Kelly lives in Duluth with her boyfriend Gabe, and her animal companions: miniature dachshund Dexter, bull terrier Dudley, and chiweenie (chihuahua/miniature dachshund) DeeDee. She enjoys hiking, gardening and houseplants, snowboarding/snow in general and visiting Lake Superior shores year-round. She also loves music, photography, books, and great coffee.
Christine Timblin, Vet Assistant
Vet Assistant
Chrisie has been with Lake County Veterinary Clinics since May 2021. She graduated from UMD with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Enviornmental Education. She previously worked for the MN DNR at Jay Cooke and Moose Lake State Park. She lives in Esko with her husband, daughter, two siberian huskies, a beagle/Jack Russell terrier mix, and a mini lop rabbit. Since she was a kid, Chrisie has had a deep appreciation for nature and animals of all kinds. She enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her family and friends, nature hikes, agate hunting, and developing her monarch butterfly gardens.
Therese Evenson, Dental Coordinator/Customer Service Rep
Dental Coordinator/Customer Service Rep
Therese is originally from a small town in southern Minnesota but relocated to the Silver Bay area 20 years ago, where she raised her three, now adult, children. She has called Two Harbors home for the past few years where she spends time with her two mischievous grandchildren, Sawyer and Ethel, who love to play with their “mini-horse” in training, Bessie, who is a Daniff. Therese enjoys riding her Sportster and taking motorcycle trips to the Black Hills and the Mountains. She also loves watching loud motorsport events like mud truck racing. In her spare time, she likes cooking, meal prep, and, of course, eating! She currently has no pets but has had the pleasure of caring for cats, dogs, ferrets, an injured raccoon, and even a fawn over the course of her life.
Alayna Baker, Customer Service Rep/Vet Assistant
Customer Service Rep/Vet Assistant
Alayna grew up on the outskirts of Duluth and has had a passion for animals for as long as she can remember. She is always happiest when she is by any body of water, out in nature, and most of all when she’s with her Siberian Husky, Blu. Some other hobbies she enjoys are spending time with family, going up to her cabin near the BWCA, canoeing, swimming, hiking, playing volleyball, wakeboarding, using her GoPro, drives up the shore, and road trips.
Taylor Herrick, Dentistry Assistant
Dentistry Assistant
Taylor joined our team in September 2022. She is originally from a small town in Wisconsin called Pardeeville. Taylor has moved all around the Midwest but is excited to choose Duluth as her final landing place. She has worked as a veterinary assistant related to equine and is now looking forward to her transition into small animals. In her free time, you will find Taylor exploring Northern Minnesota with her family and two cattle dogs.
Megan Matheson, Vet Assistant
Vet Assistant
Megan grew up in and currently resides in Duluth with her cat, Frankie and Alaskan Klee Kai, Levi. She has always had a passion for working with animals growing up and is happy to be able to turn it into a career. Outside of work, you can find her somewhere near Lake Superior, kayaking, or out hiking with Levi
Velena Addams, Customer Service Rep
Customer Service Rep
Velena recently moved to Grand Marais, coming from Western Minnesota. Velena has loved animals since childhood and carried her passion for animal welfare into her career. She has always had an inherent desire to learn more about animals and nature as a whole. She has previous experience in both pet food retail and nutrition, as well as pet sitting.
Velena’s current furry family includes 3 cats whom she adores, Meecho, Vic, and Sunni.
Velena is a big fan of nature hikes, Halloween, coffee, candle making, movie making, and stargazing.
Bruce Eckland, Maintenance
Maintenance
Bruce “The Moose” Eckland is in charge of maintenance at the clinic. Bruce has a “few” cats at home and is always around when the clinic is closed to take care of night time animal treatments.
Internal Referrals
Dr. Cal Kobluk
Consultant/Specialist
Dr. Cal Kobluk, a board certified surgeon, is available to perform advanced orthopedic and other specialized surgeries at the Lake County Veterinary Clinic on a referral basis.
Dr. Ralph Weischelbaum
Consultant
Dr. Ralph Weichselbaum graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1989 and went on to receive his PhD in Radiology and become Board Qualified with the American College of Veterinary Radiology. Dr. Ralph has a warm and friendly bedside manner and conducts over 1500 ultrasounds per year.
Dr. Grace Brown
Practice Limited to Oral Surgery and Dentistry
Education:
- Completed didactic residency training in Dentistry, 2021
- Completed clinical residency training in Dentistry with Arizona Veterinary Dental Specialists, 2018
- Doctorate, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 (Clinical Year University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine)
- Bachelors of Science (Biology), University of Minnesota, Swenson Science of College and Engineering, 2010
Professional Activities:
- Foundation of Veterinary Dentistry, Member
- Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, Member
- American Veterinary Medical Association, Member
- American Animal Hospital Association, Member
- USDA Accredited Veterinarian
Publications:
- Radiographic Outcome of Vital Teeth Treated with Prosthodontic Crowns in Dogs: 26 Cases (2015-2017) – Grace K. Brown, Katherine Kling, Michael Balke, Lisa Fink, 2023
Why I Do What I Do:
- I believe every pet deserves quality dental care and to have a pain-free and comfortable mouth.
Dr. Mari LaMoore, Veterinary Chiropractic- Grand Marais
Dr. Mari LaMoore, Veterinary Chiropractic- Grand Marais