Program Directors

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Dr. Hoefs graduated from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls with an undergraduate degree in Animal Science, Equine and Food Animal emphases in 1993. He earned his DVM from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1998. Dr. Hoefs has worked in a variety of veterinary positions including equine, mixed animal, and small animal practices as well as academia. Additionally, he has served as an Animal Humane Officer and Biosecurity Specialist for a broiler company. Dr. Hoefs joined the Minnesota Board of Animal Health in 2019.

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Dr. Jopp graduated from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999.  He worked in a mixed animal practice in Central Minnesota for 12 years focusing in large animal medicine, primarily dairy medicine. He then went on to work with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in the Dairy and Meat Inspection Division for 11 years as the field veterinarian and supervisor. Dr. Jopp started with the Board in May of 2022 as Assistant Director and currently oversees the Senior Veterinarians and Emergency Planning.

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Dr. Wheeler earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. She joined the Board of Animal Health in 2005 as a Program Administrator and currently serves as an Assistant Director responsible for field operations. Dr. Wheeler has devoted the entirety of her veterinary career to public service, previously working as a Veterinary Corps Officer with the United States Army, and a Veterinary Medical Officer with the United States Department of Agriculture.

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Dr. Voss received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004 and her Master of Public Health degree in 2011. She spent five years in private practice before joining the Minnesota Board of Animal Health in 2012 as a senior veterinarian with the poultry division. She currently oversees the permitting process for Board programs, works with Minnesota producers to ensure Board and National Poultry Improvement Plan programs requirements are met, and is the primary contact for our authorized poultry testing agents.

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Dr. Cornille received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine and is completing her Master of Public Health at the UMN School of Public Health. Prior to joining the Board as a Senior Veterinarian in 2023, she was working as a Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian for the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service in St. Cloud. She manages the Cattle Disease and Livestock Concentration Programs and assists in the Farmed Cervidae Programs.

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Dr. Heather Damico graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. She spent 10 years in private practice with a focus on equine sports medicine, dentistry, and general equine medicine until 2017 when she became a regulatory veterinarian with USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). Dr. Damico joined the Board of Animal Health in 2019 as a district veterinarian, and currently serves as a Senior Veterinarian overseeing the Equine, Farmed Cervidae, and Sheep and Goat programs.

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Myah graduated from the University of Minnesota with an undergraduate degree in Animal Science in 2010 and Master of Public Health in 2016. She spent 13 years working in the poultry industry focusing on food safety, quality, animal welfare and emergency response programs. Myah joined the Board of Animal Health in 2022 as the Compliance Unit Supervisor. Her role oversees compliance across all Board programs.

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Michael is the Communications Director at the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. He joined the agency in December 2015. Prior to this role, he worked in communications at the Department of Agriculture. His career began in television news with various roles in the studio and out in the field, including a story with a two-nosed cow named Lucy. He oversees the Board’s communications campaigns, media relations, program outreach, and manages internal and external communication channels. Contact Michael to request information or publications from the Board. michael.crusan@state.mn.us, 651-201-6815.

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Melissa is the Business Manager at the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. She started at the Board the first day after the New Year in January 2023. She attended Winona State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Prior to joining the Board, Melissa worked for an international technology company, specializing in finance and human resources services. In her role as Business Manager, she is responsible for managing Human Resources, Budget and Finance. Melissa may be contacted by email, melissa.s.smith@state.mn.us or phone, 651-201-6822.

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Missy is the Emergency Disease Response Coordinator at the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. She joined the agency in May of 2023. Before joining the Board, Missy worked for Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office for nine years in Emergency Management. She assisted with Radiological Emergency Preparedness, Foreign Animal Disease planning and the Rural 911 Addressing for Goodhue County. Missy oversees Foreign Animal Disease Planning at the Board of Animal Health. Missy may be contacted by email, at melissa.sivigny@state.mn.us or by phone, at 651-201-6801.

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Dr. Kivisto graduated from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. He’s a Minnesota native, growing up on the Iron Range who made his way slowly to the Twin Cities after a brief four year stop at the University of Minnesota, Duluth for his undergraduate work. Outside of a three-year stint in academia he has spent most of his career working as a practicing veterinarian in various small animal clinics in Minnesota. He currently oversees the companion animal branch of the Board.