Rebecca Arbesman, DVM, is Blue River PetCare’s Director of Clinical Development as well as Medical Director of Carter Pet Hospital in St. Louis, MO. She originally joined the Carter Pet Hospital team in 2009 as an Associate Veterinarian, before taking on the role of Medical Director where she offers mentorship and guidance to the broader clinical team. Rebecca has a passion for teaching others and often mentors new graduates, assisting them with their transition to real-world practice and growth into confident and successful veterinarians. In her Clinical Development role, Rebecca puts her years of hospital and team management experience to use daily in the development of education opportunities for Medical Directors, as well as serves as a leader for the ever-growing Clinical Development team.

As a veterinarian, Rebecca's clinical interests include general medicine and soft tissue surgery. Prior to her veterinary career, Rebecca earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Missouri State, followed by her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Missouri-College of Veterinary Medicine. Outside of the clinic, she can be found cooking one of her favorite meals or watching a good movie. She also loves spending time with her family and their five dogs, seven cats, and three ferrets, at their home in Missouri.

Nina Duflo, DVM, CCRT is a Clinical Development Manager at Blue River PetCare. Nina originally joined Blue River in 2017 as the Medical Director of a small animal practice in Michigan and has since joined the Clinical Development team where she supports the development and well-being of veterinarians across the organization through her years of clinical experience and passion for furthering the veterinary industry.

In her role as a Clinical Development Manager, Nina focuses on helping veterinarians develop and enhance their leadership and communication skills, providing guidance on improving workflow efficiency, and mentoring new medical directors.

Nina’s passion for animal care began at a young age when she would spend time helping on her family’s large agricultural farm. Her passion eventually turned into a career in veterinary medicine, beginning with her education at Michigan State University where she completed both her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. Nina’s clinical interests include soft tissue surgery, dentistry, and pain management, as well as canine rehabilitation, which led her to earn a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist certification in 2018. In her free time, you can find Nina reading a good book or spending time outdoors!

Jennifer Hiebner, DVM, CVA, CVCH is a Clinical Development Manager at Blue River PetCare. Jen originally joined Blue River team as the Medical Director of Pitts Veterinary Hospital in Nebraska in 2017 and continues to serve in that role today.

Bringing over 19 years of veterinary experience to the Clinical Development team, Jen maintains a particular interest in soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, ultrasound, and alternative medicine. In her role as Clinical Development Manager, she assists in the development and implementation of educational programs for veterinary professionals across the Blue River network, frequently lecturing on practice leadership and mentorship topics.

In addition to her professional experience, Jen received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, followed by her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University. She also attended Chi University in Reddick, FL to become a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist and Certified Veterinary Chinese Herbalist.

Suvi Irvine, PhD, is a Clinical Development Manager at Blue River PetCare. Originally joining the Blue River family in 2018 as a Practice Manager of a small animal practice in Napa, California, Suvi’s commitment to all aspects of clinic wellness and operational excellence led her to her next role on the BRP Operations team, first as a Regional Operations Specialist, followed then by a role as a Senior Regional Operations Manager. Now a member of the BRP Clinical Development team, Suvi focuses her wealth of knowledge and experience on support staff training and leadership development programs surrounding professional and personal growth and wellbeing.

Before beginning her career in the veterinary field, Suvi attended the University of California-Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, graduating with Honors. She then went on to obtain her Doctor of Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University, with a focus on Political Theory and minor in American Politics. When not traveling to support Blue River clinics, Suvi can be found spending time outdoors hiking, or enjoying her favorite wellness activity, teaching and practicing yoga. She is of course an avid animal lover, sharing her home with two dogs, Emerson and Larry David, and two cats, Atreyu and Aiko.

Melissa J. Supernor, LVT, CVT, VTS (SAIM), CCFP, CVBP, CFVP is a Clinical Development Manager at Blue River PetCare. Mel joined the Blue River team in 2021 to further expand the educational programs and professional development opportunities offered to the veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and support team members across the organization.

Drawing on her passion for promoting education, Mel supports the education and growth of clinical team members through the development of programs such as the Veterinary Technician Education & Scholarship Program, which aims to provide scholarship and degree opportunities for Veterinary Technicians wishing to further their education in the field.

In addition to her passion for helping others achieve their education goals, Mel has accomplished many academic achievements of her own since becoming part of the veterinary field. She is a Certified Veterinary Technician, Licensed Veterinary Technician, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Worcester State University, as well as an Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology from Becker College. Additionally, Mel earned her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Small Animal Internal Medicine before going on to earn her CCFP, CVBP, CFVP, and AIHR certifications.

Anna Chanslor, RVT is a Clinical Development Specialist at Blue River PetCare, where she brings a wealth of experience and a passion for enhancing the veterinary field. Joining the Blue River family in 2023, Anna's primary focus lies in guiding practices and their teams through comprehensive trainings and workflow optimization, all of which is focused on fostering a higher quality of life for practice team members.

Prior to her role with the BRP Clinical Development team, Anna earned her degree from the Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology in Colorado Springs, CO, and spent many years working as a veterinary technician and in other areas supporting the veterinary industry. Her journey in veterinary medicine led her to diverse experiences, including working in Zoo Medicine, where she cared for an array of animals—from orangutans and giraffes to Pallas cats and macaques. When she’s not working, Anna can be found traveling, reading, trying new restaurants, enjoying the Oregon Coast, or paddleboarding with her dogs!