Staff
Judy Karnia, DVM
Veterinarian, Owner
I was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, the youngest of eleven children born to a Polish father and German mother. After my twelve years of Catholic education, I attended Northwestern University where I majored in Classics and was captain of the guard for the Northwestern University Marching Band.
I’ve been a practicing veterinarian since 1994 when I graduated with honors from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. As a student at Illinois, I worked extensively with wildlife, holding an assistantship in the college’s Wildlife Ward where I helped rehabilitate injured and ill wildlife such as hawks, kestrels, turtles and raccoons. I also completed an externship at the Cincinnati Zoo, and after graduation, continued to do some veterinary work for the Center for the Reproduction of Endangered Wildlife housed at the Cincinnati Zoo
After graduation, I went into private practice, working at veterinary hospitals in Cincinnati, Oak Park, Illinois and Omaha. For much of this time, I was working as an associate in exclusively feline practices. But in between private practice stints, I also worked as a veterinarian for the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago and the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha.
After bouncing around the Midwest as my husband completed his Ph.D. and worked a few peripatetic jobs, we moved to Scottsdale. We fell in love with Arizona on a trip out to Sedona. When the Nebraska winters decimated our roof for the second year in a row, we decided to pursue our infatuation with Arizona. Now, when I’m not working at the clinic, I can be found hiking throughout this beautiful state. I also enjoy running. I twice completed marathons, but now I have limited myself to much shorter distances and the occasional duathlon. I read a fair amount of contemporary literature in order to understand what my husband does, and enjoy jazz and other live music. Thursday nights I frequently can be found wandering the Scottsdale Galleries at the ArtWalk.
I’m married to Scott Hermanson, a member of the English Faculty at Arizona State University. We have a young daughter, two cats whom you will probably meet at the clinic, and a ball python, whom you may just as well not meet.
My professional life prior to opening the Scottsdale Cat Clinic has given me a wide range of experience in addition to my expertise in feline medicine. I’ve been especially involved in diagnosing and treating geriatric cats. As a practice owner, I’m very committed to keeping myself and my staff updated and educated about the most current state of veterinary medicine.
April Bertelsen
Cat Concierge
April was very excited to join the clinic as she had wanted to work in a vet’s office her whole life. She was married in October 2009. April, and her husband Jesse, are both natives to the Phoenix area and live just minutes away with their two kitties, Joy and Belle. April has a real heart for all animals but after adopting their two girls, she has developed more of a passion for cats and their need for a good home. Now that’s she part of the clinic, she’s glad her girls will have a great place to come and receive the best care.
Katrina Maika
Veterinary Technician
Katrina graduated from ASU with a bachelors degree in Agribusiness with a concentration in PreVeterinary Medicine. She moved from Hawaii to the valley 21 years ago and is currently living in Scottsdale. Her four animals: Precious the dog, Merky the cat, Fred the parrot and Ken the cockatiel, keep her plenty busy when she is not working at the clinic or volunteering her time at Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
Bryan Gordon
A native Arizonan, Bryan grew up in Tucson and moved to Scottsdale in 1998. A graduate of The University of Arizona, she (yes, she) has had a variety of customer service positions, and most recently worked at an animal welfare shelter. A life-long cat parent, Bryan knows the extra value of a cat-only practice. Bryan began bringing her 4 cats – Aslan, Groucho, Kaylee and Oz – here as patients long before becoming a staff member. Impressed by the quality of care and service she received, Bryan was delighted at the opportunity to become part of the team here at the clinic.
Scott Hermanson
As the loving spouse of Dr. Karnia, Scott frequently haunts the clinic, helping out here and there by cleaning cages, hammering nails, and helping check in clients and schedule appointments. During the off-hours, he can be found fretting over the accounting books, writing copy for the website, and wearing his Scottsdale Cat Clinic shirt all over the East Valley. During the school year, he can be found at ASU, teaching the next generation how to read and write.
Ciela Hermanson
When on duty, Ciela is our official cat greeter.
Margie
A feline of suspect origins. She haunts the back rooms of the clinic.
