executive board
about us
The Society of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgery (SVSTS) was founded in 2002 with the inaugural meeting held in Keystone, Colorado. The SVSTS holds an annual meeting for members to share research and ideas to further the field and promote collaboration among soft tissue veterinary surgeons.
Between meetings, the SVSTS ListServ facilitates discussion and exchange on cases, concepts, equipment etc. and is available to current members.
president
cassie lux | DVM, DACVS (SA)
- 2025-Present
- Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Tennessee
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- clux@utk.edu
President-Elect
Robert Hardie | DVM, DACVS, DECVS
- 2025 – Present
- Clinical Professor, Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery, University of Wisconsin
- Madison, Wisconsin
- robert.hardie@wisc.edu
Secretary | Treasurer
Nicki Plunkett
- Huntsville Veterinary Specialists and Emergency
- nicki.plunkett@hvsevet.com
Technology Officer
Rebecca Stokes | DVM, Diplomate acvs-sa
- 2023 – Present
- Memphis Veterinary Specialists & Emergency
- Cordova, Tennesee
- rebastok@gmail.com
past presidents
2023- 2025
Penny Regier | DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS
- Assistant Professor, University of Florida
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
- Gainesville, Florida
2021 - 2023
Janet Grimes | DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS-Sa
- Associate Professor, University of Georgia
- Department of Small Animal Medicine & Surgery
- Bueche, Louisiana
2018 - 2020
Elizabeth swanson | dvm, ms, dacvs
- Assistant Professor, Mississippi State University
- Starkville, Mississippi
2017 - 2018
Michelle Waschak | dvm, dacvs
- Small Animal Surgeon
- VCA Animal Specialty Center of Columbia, SC
2016 - 2017
Deanna Worley | DVM, Dacvs
- Assistant Professor, Colorado State University
- Fort Collins, CO
2014 - 2015
Boel Fransson | DVM, PHD, Dacvs
- Assistant Professor, Washington State University
- Pullman, WA
2012 - 2013
Joe Hauptman | Dvm, MS, DACVS
- Professor, Michigan State University
- East Lansing, MI
2010 - 2012
Eric Monnet | DVM, PHD, Dacvs
- Professor, Colorado State University
- Fort Collins, CO
FOUNDING MEMBERS
Cheryl Hedlund | DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS
Honorary Secretary Teasurer
- Emeritus Professor of Surgery, Iowa State University
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences
- Bueche, Louisiana
2021 - 2023
Janet Grimes | DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS-Sa
- Associate Professor, University of Georgia
- Department of Small Animal Medicine & Surgery
- Bueche, Louisiana
2018 - 2020
Elizabeth swanson | dvm, ms, dacvs
- Assistant Professor, Mississippi State University
- Starkville, Mississippi