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Our Team

Our caring and compassionate veterinary care team.

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Country Doctor Veterinary Hospital in New Tripoli. We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets.

Please call us at 610-298-2520 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members.

Veterinarian/Owner

Dr. Kim Kish V.M.D

Dr. Kish is a 1994 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Kish is a 1994 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She joined the staff of the Country Doctor in January 2002 and purchased the practice in partnership with Dr. Trexler in 2021. She is certified in the PennHip radiographic technique and a member of both the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, playing hand bells, piano and travelling.
Veterinarian/Owner

Dr. Kelly Trexler-Wertman D.V.M., C.C.R.P.

Dr. Trexler-Wertman began her career at the Country Doctor in 1990.

Dr. Trexler-Wertman began her career at the Country Doctor in 1990. She has held many positions at the Hospital throughout her educational career. She graduated from Louisiana State University in May 2004 with her degree in veterinary medicine and returned to practice at the Country Doctor that same year. She received her certification for Canine Rehabilitation from the University of Tennessee in 2015. Her joy outside of veterinary medicine are her 2 sons, gardening, family, sports and her wonderful pets.
Veterinarian

Dr. Ferdinand Visintainer V.M.D

Dr. Visintainer is a 1985 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Visintainer is a 1985 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. He joined the Country Doctor Veterinary Hospital in 1988. The Following year he formed a partnership with Dr. James Langman, the original owner, who retired in 2001. Dr. Visintainer sold his share of the practice in 2021 to his partners Dr. Kimberly Kish and Dr. Kelly Trexler-Wertman. He has continued to practice here in a part-time status. Dr. Visintainer is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Pennsylvania Medical Association where he also served on the board of trustees.
Veterinarian

Dr. Hilary Palmeiro V.M.D

Dr. Palmeiro grew up in Bethlehem, PA and Cumberland, MD.

Dr. Palmeiro grew up in Bethlehem, PA and Cumberland, MD. She graduated from University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in 2000, followed by a veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. She practiced small animal medicine in New Jersey and Delaware before returning to Pennsylvania joining Country Doctor in 2013. Dr. Palmeiro enjoys working with dogs, cats and all sorts of small animals. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, cycling and hiking.
Veterinarian

Dr. Catherine Illuzzi D.V.M

Dr Illuzzi grew up in western New Jersey on a hobby sheep farm

Dr Illuzzi grew up in western New Jersey on a hobby sheep farm that started her love of working with animals at a young age. After graduating from Loyola College in Maryland in 2008 for her undergraduate degree, she then started at Ross University Veterinary School on the small island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean. She completed her clinical year training at Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated from Ross University in 2012. For the past 8 years, Dr Illuzzi has been living and working at a small animal practice in northern Maryland. After deciding she wanted to be closer to her family and friends, Dr Illuzzi decided to make the move to Pennsylvania; she started working at CDVH in May 2022. Dr Illuzzi’s professional interests include geriatric care, urgent care and emergency medicine and feline medicine. Outside of work you will find her reading the in the sunshine with her cat Stormy, baking, hiking and travelling both near and far.
Veterinarian

Dr. Kelly Gruber D.V.M

Dr. Gruber joined the Country Doctor in 2016 as a technician

Dr. Gruber joined the Country Doctor in 2016 as a technician assistant moving on to various positions in the hospital while attending University. She graduated with a bachelor’s Degree in Small Animal Science from Delaware Valley University in 2018. Continuing her education, she graduated from The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022 becoming the most recent doctor to join the practice. Dr. Gruber enjoys running, hiking and working out. She has two adorable cats Benji pictured with Dr. Gruber and Reaper- both which came to the practice as strays.
Business Manager

Madeleine

I am proud to have been part of the Country Doctor for 35 years.

I am proud to have been part of the Country Doctor for 35 years. I first worked with Dr. Langman and Dr. Visintainer at another veterinary hospital 40 years ago. When Dr. Visintainer left to work with Dr. Langman at his practice in Orefield, I soon followed. I started my career at the front desk and enjoyed getting to know our clients and their pets. As time moved on and I started a family I began to do more of the behind the scenes work and eventually grew into the role of business manager. I have seen our practice grow from a staff of 4 in a small facility to a staff of 25 in the larger, better equipped facility we have today. I have learned so much and been very lucky to work with such kind, caring individuals.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and my dogs. I have two Scottish deerhounds, Wiggins and Lark. Lark and I participate in obedience and conformation and we all enjoy walks in the woods and the fields around our home. They often come to work with me and are happy to hang in the office.

Senior Technician, Rehabilitation Technician

Jill

Jill graduated with honors from the Lehigh Carbon Community College

Jill graduated with honors from the Lehigh Carbon Community College with an Associates in Applied Science degree in 1999. She has been working in the veterinary field since 1996 and joined the Country Doctor in April 1998. Jill is certified in canine rehabilitation through the University of Tennessee and works closely with Dr. Trexler-Wertman on rehabilitation cases. In addition she is our laboratory supervisor and certified in the PennHip procedure. Jill has a small flock of chickens that she adores! She recently became the landlord to her family's apartments and spends her free time exercising, and clay target shooting.
Front Desk Supervisor

Tara

Tara is our front desk supervisor.

Tara is our front desk supervisor. She has been with the Country Doctor family since 2003. She is loves her family and enjoys spending time with her husband and two amazing daughters. Tara has found the perfect pair of pups. Winston and Willow are very photogenic and brings much joy and laughter to her family. When not spending time with family you can find her curled up with a good book. She has been with the practice for over 20 years and her smiling face is a welcome sight to our clients.
Senior Technician, Surgery Technician

Stephanie

Stephanie is one of our senior veterinary technicians having been with the practice since 2012.

Stephanie is one of our senior veterinary technicians having been with the practice since 2012. She has a B.S in Veterinary Technology from the Lehigh County Community College. She enjoys her job and spending time with her cats – Figgy, Bungalow Bill, Scuttlebutt (pictured above), The Governor and Agent Orange. She is a wealth of knowledge and always quick to help an animal in need.
Front Desk Supervisor

Amy

Amy has been a part of Country Doctor since 2013.

Amy has been a part of Country Doctor since 2013. Having started as a client service representative, she is now a front desk supervisor! She and her mother are transporters on weekends, transporting animals from the South to various rescues and fosters. Amy, her husband and their 3.5 dogs, (Its really 4, but don’t tell her that) Tugger, Blizzard, Lanie and Schwoopy love to be outdoors. They enjoy going four-wheeling, snowmobiling, camping and anything else they decide to try. She used to be an avid equestrian unfortunately her horse passed away in 2020.
Senior Technician, Surgery Technician

Rachel

Rachel joined the Country Doctor in May 2016 as a Certified Veterinary Technician.

Rachel joined the Country Doctor in May 2016 as a Certified Veterinary Technician. Graduating in 2014 from LCCC Veterinary Technician Program. She lives locally with her husband, 3 children and a cuddle of pets, a greyhound named Mack, a beagle mix named Saylor and three cats-Lu, Ravioli and Kitty Purry. In addition there are three parakeets Bluu, Greene and Greyy. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, summer trips to the beach and most importantly spending time with her family. In the words of Rachel herself – GO PHILLIES!
Technician Supervisor

Kati

Kati is our technician supervisor and she joined the Country Doctor in 2016.

Kati is our technician supervisor and she joined the Country Doctor in 2016. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Small Animal Science from Delaware Valley University. She loves hunting with her husband and walking the trails with her two sweet daughters and their two canine companions, Lucy the black lab and Tucker the Cavalier.
Senior Technician, Surgery Technician

Brittany

Brittany is our go to for all questions about medications. She is a Certified Pharmacy Technician since 2015

Brittany is our go to for all questions about medications. She is a Certified Pharmacy Technician since 2015 and a Certified Veterinary Technician since 2014. Brittany and her husband are passionate about adopting cats with a focus on the specials needs cats. They currently have 2 special needs cats amongst their 14 cats! Besides her cuddle of cats, Brittany has three mice, one hamster, a Red Eared Slider Turtle and Ball Python. She loves to go antiquing, and collecting antique Veterinary collectibles including books, medicine bottles, equipment and tools.
Surgery Technician

Ray

Rachel or Ray as she is known by the staff, has been a veterinary technician with the practice

Rachel or Ray as she is known by the staff, has been a veterinary technician with the practice since graduating from LCCC in 2018. She loves the outdoors and enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking. She grew up on a small farm with beef cattle, sheep and goats. Ray is well acquainted with early mornings and hard work.
Client Service Representative

Sabra

Sabra has been our resident nerd since 2021.

Sabra has been our resident nerd since 2021. She is a transplant from Alaska and the West Coast. She is pursuing her Bachelors in English and getting her CSR Certificate through Zoetis. She is well versed with computers and she is “the one to call when things go wrong”. As the quote may imply, she is a lover of all things Disney. Sabra has two cats, Endy Isis Romero - a long haired diluted Calico and Cosmos Dresden Anubis Romeo – a black cat rescued and brought to CDVH at 3 weeks old. In her free time, she enjoys cross stitching, video gaming with her boyfriend, and playing Dungeons and Dragons. She is a lover of language and linguistics and is currently working on her 5th language.
Technician

Erin

Erin recently graduated with an A.A.S Veterinary Technician Certificate from LCCC in 2022.

Erin recently graduated with an A.A.S Veterinary Technician Certificate from LCCC in 2022. After completing her externship, she realized that Country Doctor was the place to begin her certified veterinary technician journey. She enjoys spending time with her large family which includes her parents, 3 siblings, a German Shepherd – Lily, a Pit Bull – Bandit and an Appaloosa draft cross horse - Banjo. She is an avid horseback rider and loves to bake all kinds of yummy treats.
Client Service Representative

Sonya

Sonya was a client of the Country Doctor for many years before she joined the Country Doctor team in 2023.

Sonya was a client of the Country Doctor for many years before she joined the Country Doctor team in 2023. She is a basic canine obedience trainer, and a Tellington TTouch Companion Animal Certified Practitioner. She loves learning anything that will improve the wellbeing and behavior of animals in mind and bodily health. She loves to travel and be outdoors with her 10 year old Vizsla named Cosmo. She loves Country Doctor and is so grateful to have joined the family.