Adam Parson, DVM & Owner

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Dr. Adam Parson received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from The Ohio State University. He completed an internship through MedVet where his passion for surgery emerged. He bought his first practice in 2006 (Northstar Animal Care) and then partnered with his wife, Dr. Joanna Parson, to buy Upper Arlington Veterinary Hospital in 2008. Dr. Adam is very proficient in soft tissue, orthopedic, and ophthalmic surgery. He lives in Upper Arlington with his wife, three children, four dogs, and two cats. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family at the cabin where they hike, swim, fish, and have campfires. He is a member of the Tri-Village Rotary and enjoys giving back to the community.

Joanna Parson, DVM & Owner

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Dr. Joanna Parson received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from The Ohio State University in 2003. She received her Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry and minor in Women’s Studies  at S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook. Dr. Joanna completed an internship in Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine at MEDVET where she was then hired on as a full time doctor. In 2008, she partnered with her husband, Dr. Adam Parson, at Upper Arlington Veterinary Hospital. Her interests include internal and emergency medicine, periodontal surgery, mentorship, and developing long term relationships with her clients and patients. She lives in Upper Arlington with her husband, three children, and her parents who have joined the community. She has 4 dogs (Lemon, Lavon, Bailey, and Albert) and a cat (Nugget) and two cockatiels (Oscar and Hay Hay). She loves to travel with her family and friends, has a special fondness for the beach and water sports, enjoys interior design, treasures watching high school basketball, and is obsessed with Pugs. Dr. Joanna focuses on the client and patient experience at Upper Arlington Veterinary Hospital and wants to continue community outreach with the UAVH team to rescue and charitable organizations as well as supporting local school sports and organizations. 

A.J. Wildman, DVM

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Amanda James (AJ) Wildman is a Connecticut native who received her undergraduate degree at Cornell University before attending veterinary college at The Ohio State University. She is married and lives in Upper Arlington with her four children and one cat. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, dancing, reading and swimming.

Heather Giatis, DVM

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Medical Director

Heather Giatis is a graduate of The Ohio State University and completed her DVM in 2011. Prior to joining Upper Arlington Veterinary Hospital, Heather spent two years in general practice in Cleveland and another four years as an Emergency Veterinarian at MedVet Worthington.

She loves all aspects of veterinary medicine but especially emergency medicine, internal medicine, feline medicine and senior care. Heather and her husband, Yanni, enjoy traveling to warm locations. They have a beautiful daughter and are the proud owners of four pets – Ledger (cat), Prancer (chihuahua), Olive (Australian Shepard mix), and Vespee (chihuahua).

Brian Gorby, DVM

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Dr. Brian Gorby is a graduate of the University of Findlay, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Following the completion of his undergraduate studies, he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Brian practiced at Riverside Drive Animal Care Center for over 10 years, where he became proficient in all aspects of veterinary medicine including advanced surgical techniques and dentistry. He then went on to practice emergency medicine at Medvet before he joined our wonderful team of Doctors.

While Dr. Gorby maintains an interest in all aspects of veterinary medicine, he is particularly passionate about internal medicine and surgery. He is very excited to join the Upper Arlington family and looks forward to getting to know the people and pets of the UA community as well. When not treating patients, Brian enjoys volleyball, bowling, golf, and camping.

Elizabeth Stafford, DVM

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Stafford is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and has extensive experience in small animal practice. Dr. Stafford focuses on internal medicine, soft tissue and dental surgery, and brings holistic services to our practice including acupuncture and herbal medical treatments. She especially enjoys making an impact through pain management, surgical removal of tumors, and disease prevention in her patients.

Dr. Stafford and her husband grew up in Upper Arlington and enjoy raising their two children and spending time with their extended family in UA. Her family has three pets including Watch, a German Short Haired Pointer, and two tabby cats named Chicken and Waffles. Her favorite place to be is in Northern Michigan where she enjoys hiking, biking, boating, and fishing. In her free time, she loves to read, write, do yoga, garden, spend time outdoors, and improve her culinary skills.

Elise Gastier, DVM

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Elise Gastier attended The Ohio State University for her undergraduate studies prior to graduating from OSU's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019. Before joining the team at Upper Arlington Veterinary Hospital, she practiced locally in small animal general practice for 5 years and has also provided relief veterinary services for a local non-profit organization. Although she enjoys the variety of being a general practitioner, her special interests include soft tissue surgery, dermatology, palliative and hospice care. 

Dr. Gastier and her fiance, Kyle, share their home with their Golden Retriever, Josie. Dr. Gastier's hobbies include playing volleyball, baking, reading, watching Jeopardy, and traveling.

Dr. Marie Hereda

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Marie Hereda is a 2009 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Northeast Ohio, she was also a member of The Best Damn Band In The Land at OSU. Following two years of practice in upstate New York, she returned to Columbus, focusing on small animal medicine with a keen interest in dentistry, behavior medicine, and pain management. Dr. Hereda prioritizes building lasting relationships with clients and enhancing the human-animal bond through education. 

 In addition to her veterinary career, Dr. Hereda is also a certified Pilates instructor, teaching at local Club Pilates studios. Alongside her husband, Matt, they reside in Westerville with their two dog, Basil Hayden (Golden Retriever) and two cats, Stanley and Stella. They share a love for concerts, cycling, travel, and expanding their bourbon collection.