Meet Our Doctors

Dr. Sydney Westbrook, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Sydney Westbrook is a local California native from Dos Palos. She received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of California, Davis, in 2014 and continued on at UC Davis to receive her DVM degree in 2019. She then returned home to the Central Valley and joined the AMVC family in June of 2019 before becoming a Partner in June 2021. While in vet school, she attended the Summer Dairy Institute at Cornell University, a dairy management program for veterinarians. She is one of the mixed animal veterinarians in the practice, going out on dairies in the morning and seeing small animals at the Merced and Atwater clinics in the afternoons. Her special interests include milking parlor evaluation, dairy record analysis, reproduction, and dermatology.

In her free time, Sydney enjoys spending time with her husband, Jacob, and their Australian Cattle Dog Mix, Bailey. She enjoys snow skiing, spending time outdoors, bowling, and doing crafts such as crochet and painting.

Dr. Alicia Smith, DVM

Corporate Partner

We are pleased that Dr. Alicia Smith returned to our practice after a two-year hiatus managing her family’s dairy farm in Northern New York State. Dr. Smith graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007 and was an associate veterinarian at AMVC from 2007 until 2012. Dr. Smith practiced dairy medicine as well as small animal surgery and medicine at both the Atwater Veterinary Center and the Merced Veterinary Clinic.

She is excited to be back in the Atwater-Merced area to reconnect with her former clients and patients, as well as meet new ones. Dr. Smith’s particular interests lie in dairy farm employee training (she is bilingual in English and Spanish), dairy computer records analysis, and small animal surgery. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners.

Dr. Smith shares her home with her two ‘Labradorables’, Verna and Pasha. Verna was previously training as a guide dog for the blind before choosing a career as a co-pilot for Dr. Smith on her field calls.

Dr. Betty Lawson, DVM

Corporate Partner

Dr. Betty Lawson received her BS in Animal Science at Cal Poly- San Luis Obispo. She then attended Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she earned her DVM. She joined the Merced Veterinary Clinic team in May of 2005. Professionally, she has a special interest in surgery and hopes to one day become a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Dr. Lawson has regular clinic hours at both our Atwater and Merced locations.

Dr. Nicole Ekblom, DVM

Corporate Partner

Dr. Nicole Ekblom joined the Atwater Merced Veterinary healthcare team in 2000 and is a corporate partner. She was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and is happy to have made Merced her hometown. Dr. Ekblom obtained both her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science in 1995 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1999 at the University of California, Davis.

Dr. Ekblom’s focus is on working with dairy herds. A majority of her work consists of routine herd health procedures, reproductive exams using ultrasound, surgical procedures, and dairy records analysis. She has a special interest in milk quality and mastitis and manages the AMVC Milk Quality Laboratory. Dr. Ekblom can also be found working in the small animal clinic or with some of the local dairy goat herds.

Dr. Ekblom is married to Dr. Cook. She is a busy mother of three children – Elliott, Annika, and Evelyn. She really loves camping, hiking, and cross-country skiing, but would skip all that for just one good night’s sleep!

Dr. Paul Cook, DVM

Corporate Partner

Dr. Paul Cook is a corporate partner and has been with Atwater Merced Veterinary Clinics since 2000. He is a native of San Diego and came to Merced, which is the second-largest dairy production county in the world, to work in the dairy industry. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1994 and was awarded his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis in 1999.

Dr. Cook’s dairy practice entails working with multiple dairy herds, ranging from 500 to 7000 cows, on a daily basis. When he is not busy working with the cows, Dr. Cook enjoys working in the small animal clinic. Dr. Cook holds the position of Practice Managing Corporate Partner for AMVC and is a member of the California Veterinary Medical Association Agriculture Committee, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the Cal Poly Animal Science Advisory Council, and the University of California Alumni Network-San Joaquin.

Dr. Cook is married to Dr. Ekblom; they have three children – Elliott, Annika, and Evelynn. When he is not busy chasing dairy cows or children, Dr. Cook enjoys running half marathons, hiking, and learning to play the piano.

Dr. Keely Bertram, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Bertram grew up a child of a National Park Service family, where she developed a great appreciation for all types of animals, both domestic and wild. During her high school years, she worked at Oakhurst Veterinary Clinic, where she fostered a variety of orphaned baby animals from birds, squirrels, and possums to kittens and puppies. She attended Fresno City College and Fresno State University prior to transferring to the University of California Davis, where she was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2002.

Dr. Bertram joined Atwater Merced Veterinary Clinic as an associate veterinarian in 2004 and also has a history of adopting a stray for each year she works. Who knows what type of critter is next!

Dr. Haley Bartlett, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Haley Bartlett is a California native, born in the San Francisco Bay Area and happily transplanted to the Central Valley. Dr. Bartlett has always loved animals and dreamed of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine from a very early age. She was thrilled to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 2017 and went on to earn her DVM from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022.

Dr. Bartlett’s favorite parts of vet med include dairy production medicine, goats, camelids, surgery, nutrition, dermatology, and, of course, the owners! She loves being a mixed animal vet, helping critters large and small!

In her free time, Dr. Bartlett loves to spend time with her husband, Joe, and their four (for now) fur children, Hazel the black lab, Olive the border collie mix, Pepper, and Goose the cats! She also enjoys spending time outdoors, crafting, traveling, and being a plant mom. Dr. Bartlett looks forward to meeting you and your pets!

Dr. Sam Katten, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Sam Katten is a dedicated and passionate veterinarian with a strong affinity for animal science and a special fondness for sheep. He embarked on his academic journey at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 2019. Throughout his undergraduate years, Dr. Katten actively participated in managing the school’s flock of sheep, solidifying his interest in small ruminant medicine and reproduction.

His insatiable curiosity and commitment to animal care led him to further his education at the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. In 2023, he proudly achieved his lifelong goal of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Tufts University. During his time at Tufts, Dr. Katten delved deeper into his passion for sheep and small ruminant care, honing his skills in the intricacies of their health and reproductive systems.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Dr. Katten possesses a diverse range of hobbies. An avid runner and hiker, he finds solace in the great outdoors, relishing the chance to connect with nature. In contrast, his love for video games allows him to explore virtual worlds and challenge his strategic thinking. Dr. Katten’s enthusiasm for sports, particularly professional football and college basketball, further enriches his life. He is an unwavering supporter of the New York Jets!

With his strong academic foundation and hands-on experience, he is poised to make a lasting impact in the field and contribute to the well-being of animals under his care.