Faculty and Staff Profiles

Email: Dhemmings@tuskegee.edu

Phone: (334)727-8817

EDUCATION

• DVM - University of West Indies
• Rotating Internship - Tuskegee College of Veterinary Medicine
• Surgical Internship - Tuskegee College of Veterinary Medicine
• Residency - University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
• Veterinary Healthcare Communication- Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine

BIOGRAPHY

Graduated DVM (hons) from UWI in 2016 and employed at Tuskegee University CVM since October of 2016

CLINICAL SERVICES | SPECIALITY AREA

• Small Animal Surgery
• Abdominal and thoracic soft tissue surgeries
• Amputations
• Mass removals
• TPLO and Fracture repairs
• Minor ophthalmic surgeries

Bizimana Ferdinand , DVM, MSc, PhD
Associate Professor

EDUCATION

• PhD,  Veterinary/Animal Sciences- University of Rwanda
• MSc, Animal Production - University of Rwanda
• DVM, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - University of Rwanda

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Ferdinand Bizimana is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University, bringing more than twelve years of academic, clinical, and research experience in large animal health, reproduction, and production systems. He holds a DVM and MSc in Animal Production from the University of Rwanda and a PhD in Animal Production and Veterinary Sciences. Before joining Tuskegee University, Dr. Bizimana served as Lecturer of Animal Health at the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) and previously as Assistant Lecturer in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Rwanda. His work has spanned veterinary surgery, theriogenology, ambulatory medicine, herd health management, and applied research addressing livestock reproduction, embryo transfer, artificial insemination, and zoonotic disease risks. At Tuskegee, Dr. Bizimana teaches and supervises veterinary students, supports the Alabama Southern Regional Herd Management program, and leads research and extension activities in livestock reproduction and herd health. His research field includes multiple peer-reviewed publications on reproductive technologies, animal welfare, and smallholder livestock systems. Dr. Bizimana is known for his collaborative spirit, strong commitment to student success, and dedication to advancing sustainable animal agriculture. 

RESEARCH INTEREST

Assisted reproductive technologies in livestock; bovine and swine reproduction; artificial insemination and embryo transfer; reproductive efficiency and fertility; food-animal health and welfare; herd health and preventive medicine; livestock infectious and production diseases; sustainable livestock production; precision and emerging technologies in animal agriculture; and One Health approaches to animal health and production.

CLINICAL SERVICES | SPECIALITY AREA

• Large Animal Medicine and Surgery
• Ambulatory Veterinary Medicine
• Theriogenology and Reproductive Management
• Ruminant and Swine Production Medicine

Email:  lgotthelf@tuskegee.edu 

Appointments:  (334) 727-8436

EDUCATION

• B.S.  in Agriculture, University of Florida,  1972 
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine,Tuskegee University, 1978

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

Animal Hospital of Montgomery, LLC        1978 - 2021

Montgomery Pet Skin and Ear Clinic        1985 – 2021

Animal Emergency Clinic                        1983 - 2014

BIOGRAPHY

Over his long career  Dr. Gotthelf  developed a special interest in skin and ear diseases.  He is a member of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology.  He has done over 300 continuing education lectures to veterinarians worldwide (on ear diseases and laser surgery),  published over 30 journal articles, and he has been a contributing author on several book chapters.  He is the editor of the first and second edition of his book called Small Animal Ear Diseases; An Illustrated Guide.

Dr. Gotthelf  helped design the Otopet Video Vetscope in 1996, the first veterinary video based otoscope.  Video otoscopy has since become the gold standard for critically examining, diagnosing, and treating ear diseases under highly magnified video.  At Tuskegee, he teaches a clinical skills lab to the 3^rd year students on video otoscopy so they can learn do video otoscopy on every patient to evaluate the ear canals and the eardrums.

While in practice,  Dr. Gotthelf and his staff  performed  numerous clinical trials to test new drugs, and as a consultant to numerous veterinary product development companies, he helped to create many veterinary diagnostic and  dermatology products commonly in use today.

Sharing the knowledge and skills that he has accumulated in many years of owning an animal hospital, he teaches 4^th year veterinary students clinical veterinary medicine working with patients in the small animal clinic. 

CLINICAL SERVICES | SPECIALITY AREA

• Wellness Exams
• Diagnostic Testing and Preventative Care for Dogs and Cats
• Diagnosing and Treating Ear and Skin Diseases

Email: fmolina@tuskegee.edu

Phone: (334)-870-6951

EDUCATION

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (2026)

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Fabricio Alexander Molina is an intern at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Ecuador. He completed externships at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists and the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, gaining clinical experience in internal medicine, oncology, and radiology. During veterinary school, he conducted molecular research on zoonotic pathogens from the Galápagos Islands. He is committed to advancing his clinical training while contributing to veterinary education.

CLINICAL SERVICES | SPECIALITY AREA

• Clinical Pathology Microbial Genomics and Epidemiology
• Small Animal Internal Medicine (Oncology)
• Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Ricardo Irizarry, DVM, DACVECC
Associate Professor, Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care

Email: ririzarry@tuskegee.edu
Tel: 334-727-8437

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences - Cornell University, 2000
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - Cornell University, 2005
• Small Animal Rotating Internship , California Animal Hospital, 2006
• Small Animal Surgical Internship - Centers Vétérinaires DMV, 2007
• Emergency & Critical Care Residency - Southern Oregon Veterinary Services,2007-2010
• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical care (DACVECC),  2010

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Ricardo Irizarry is a board-certified Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care specialist (DACVECC) with more than 15 years of experience in academic and private practice emergency medicine. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he is actively involved in clinical teaching, intern supervision, and ICU workflow development within the Small Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

CLINICAL SERVICES | SPECIALITY AREA

• Emergency Medicine
• Shock and Hemodynamic Instability
• Complex Triage Decision-Making
• Point-of-Care Diagnostics and Ultrasound
• ICU Workflow Optimization

Phone: 334-727-8436
Email: stakagaki@tuskegee.edu

EDUCATION: 

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Japan - (2019)
• Small Animal Internal Medicine Internship, University of Tokyo Veterinary Medical Center, Japan- (2019-2021)

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Shingo Takagaki earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Rakuno Gakuen University in Japan. He subsequently completed a two-year Small Animal Internal Medicine Internship at the University of Tokyo Veterinary Medical Center. Prior to joining Tuskegee University, he worked in small animal general practice and emergency and critical care in Japan. He is currently a Small Animal Rotating Intern at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. His professional interests include small animal surgery, emergency and critical care, small animal internal medicine, and anesthesia.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Perioperative and Postoperative Critical Care ICU Management Emergency Care Emergency Surgery

CLINICAL SERVICES | SPECIALITY AREA

• Anesthesia
• Emergency and Critical Care
• Endoscopy
• Minimally Invasive Procedures
• Small Animal Internal Medicine
• Small Animal Surgery
• Soft Tissue Surgery

EMAIL: thubbard@tuskegee.ed

TEL: 334-727-8437 

EDUCATION

BA, Biology, Talladega College 1998

DVM, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University 2002

INTERNSHIP (Small Animal Medicine and Surgery), Indianapolis Veterinary Specialist, 2004

RESIDENCY (Dermatology), Atlanta Veterinary Skin and Allergy Clinic, 2009

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Hubbard is a native of Birmingham, AL.  She acquired her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee University’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 2002.  Shortly after finishing veterinary school, she joined Red Mountain Animal Clinic as a small animal practitioner.  She then went on to complete a rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at Indianapolis Veterinary Specialist and Animal Emergency Center in Indianapolis, IN (2004).  Thereafter, Dr. Hubbard joined Banfield, The Pet Hospital in Morrow, GA in the role of a small animal practitioner for 2 years.  Dr. Hubbard has also completed a 3-year veterinary dermatology residency at the Atlanta Veterinary Skin and Allergy Clinic in Atlanta, GA, with adjunct training at the University of Georgia.  Her residency training was completed in 2009.  She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and currently serves as vice president of the Valley Pearls Service Foundation of Upsilon Eta Omega chapter.  Dr. Hubbard also serves as the president of the Tuskegee Veterinary Medical Association and is a member of the Executive Board of the Tuskegee Veterinary Medical Alumni Association.   She is a member of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology, the Jefferson County Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association and is licensed in the states of Alabama, Georgia and Indiana. She is also an Executive Board member of the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, which is appointed by the Governor.

Dr. Hubbard is currently practicing veterinary medicine in the state of Alabama.  She helps patients at her privately owned, referral-based, veterinary dermatology practice, Alabama Veterinary Allergy and Dermatology Service.  Dr. Hubbard also serves as Section Chief of Community Practice and Shelter Medicine at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition, she is an Assistant Professor of Veterinary Dermatology at the Small Animal Hospital, where she teaches students and practices veterinary dermatology.

Dr. Hubbard’s interests and hobbies include reading novels, shopping, horseback riding, traveling and modern dancing.  She also enjoys mentoring young adults and encouraging them to pursue a college education, particularly in the veterinary sciences.  Dr. Hubbard has a son, Eric Elijah and a dog named Neno, who she loves dearly.  

CLINICAL SERVICES | SPECIALITY AREA

Veterinary Dermatology