Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine, or IMED, provides a range of services for your pet when you and your primary vet decide to pursue more aggressive treatment options. IMED’s board-certified internal medicine specialists utilize ultrasonography, endoscopy, precise nutritional plans, advanced pathology and constant monitoring to provide a level of personal care with your pet that is unsurpassed.

Internal Medicine provides care for your pet when you and your primary care veterinarian decide to pursue more aggressive diagnostic testing, therapeutic treatments, or a second opinion. Specialists in internal medicine complete post-doctoral residency training which gives them the extensive experience and knowledge with which to diagnose and treat patients with in-depth, difficult, or multiple problems of the nervous system, immune system, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, pancreas or spleen. The internists at The Hope Center provide consultation on complex medical conditions as well as offer advanced diagnostics and treatment options including ultrasonography and endoscopy. The internal medicine practice at The Hope Center is committed to providing the best quality care for our patients and clients. To contact the Internal Medicine Department directly at The Hope Center, call (703)281-4540.

Services

Ultrasonography
Endoscopy
Ultrasound-guided biopsies
Bone marrow biopsy
Endotracheal/Trans-tracheal wash
Rhinoscopy
Naso-esophageal tube placement
Gastric feeding tube placement
Thoracocentesis
Abdominocentesis
Diabetic Management
Total parenteral nutrition
Transfusion medicine

Internal Medicine Veterinarians

Angela Gasser, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, CVA, Director of Internal Medicine

Dr. Gasser graduated from North Carolina State University in 1999 and completed her internship, residency, and a year of lecturing at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Gasser spent two years in private practice in New Jersey, then joined The Hope Center in August of 2005. She has special interest in immune, hematologic (blood, spleen, bone marrow), endocrine, and gastrointestinal diseases as well as holistic medicine. Dr. Gasser is a certified veterinary acupuncturist (CVA) trained at the Chi Institute.
Kelly Gisselman, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM

Dr. Gisselman graduated in 2005 from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She then went on to complete her internship and residency training in internal medicine at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. She is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and is excited to move back a little closer to home by working at The Hope Center where she started in October 2008.
Amy Cordner, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM

Dr. Cordner graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She then completed a rotating internship at The Ohio State University and a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Cordner became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2010. She enjoys all aspects of internal medicine but has a special interest in urinary tract disease, gastrointestinal disease, and immune-mediated diseases. In her spare time, Dr. Cordner enjoys tennis, live music, spending time outdoors, and traveling.
Shannon Ryan, DVM, (Resident in Internal Medicine)

Dr. Shannon Ryan graduated in 2008 from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She then began her rotating small animal internship at The Hope Center in June of 2008. During her internship, she developed a strong interest in Internal Medicine and stayed on to complete a year-long internship with the Internal Medicine department. Currently, she is in a three year residency in Internal Medicine. Dr. Ryan currently lives in Alexandria with her husband, two dogs (Tessa and Foxy) and cat (Charro).

Technical Staff

Mary-Ann Sterling, LVT, Lead Technician

Mary Ann has worked in the veterinary field since 1995 and obtained her veterinary technician license in 2000. She has worked in small animal medicine and spent 2 years working with exotic animals. In 2003 she joined The Hope Center’s Internal Medicine department as their Lead Technician. Mary Ann has designed and headed the Internship Program for veterinary technicians here at The Hope Center. She shares a farm with her dogs (Greyson and Whinny), cats (Tuggie, Mac, Clair, and Godric), horses (Sonny and Miss Piggy), goats (Mable and Pearl), cow (Tank) and a bearded dragon (Todd). In her free time she enjoys reading and camping with her dogs.
Sarah Governski, LVT, Lead Technician

Sarah has always had a love of animals and they never seemed to be in short supply in her home. Sarah has been in the veterinary field since 2002. She received both the “Work Ethics” award for her graduating class and Associates degree from Athens Technical College in 2005, in Athens, GA. While in school Sarah worked for 3 years at an after hours Emergency Hospital. In 2005 Sarah uprooted and moved to Virginia. She has been working at The Hope Center since 2005 in Internal Medicine first as a technician and then as one of their lead technicians. When not at work, Sarah enjoys rooting for her favorite team The Georgia Bulldogs (Go dawgs!) and spending time with “her boys” (husband and two dogs, Wilson and Snoopy).
Jen Simmons, LVT

Jen began her career in veterinary medicine in 1992. Prior to joining The Hope Center’s Internal Medicine Department in 2008, she worked in private practice, emergency medicine, and as an anesthesia technician for a local MRI facility. She obtained her degree in Veterinary Technology in 2005. Jen shares her household with her 2 dogs Oakley and Charlee, 2 cats Bummie and Midnight, as well as 2 leopard geckos, 4 hermit crabs, and a goldfish. She enjoys hiking, golf, and spending time with friends and family.
Helen Hamilton, LVT

Helen has been working in the animal field since 1991. She went to Harcum College where she received her veterinary technician license in 1998. She moved to Virginia in 1999 and worked in small animal medicine until 2006, when she became a member of the Internal Medicine department here at The Hope Center. Helen enjoys spending time with her family and five cats. (Congnac, Margarita, Martini, Sambuca, and Sake)
Angela Nazionale, LVT

Angela attended Northern Virginia Community College from 2000-2003 and graduated with an AAS in veterinary science before becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in 2003. As an LVT, Angela worked at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC for 4 years before coming to Vienna, VA to The Hope Center in June 2007. She has 2 dogs, Harlem and Hilton, and a cat, Tiffany. When not working Angela enjoys traveling and riding motorcycles.
Jessica Cutter

Jessica started working in the veterinary field in 2002 at a large private practice hospital that treated both small animals and exotics. She joined The Hope Center in 2005 and worked in the emergency department until joining the IMED team in 2012. She shares her home with her dog Birdie and her cat Dickie. In her free time, Jessica likes spending time outdoors with Birdie, seeing live music, and traveling.