Dr. Robin Simpkins completed her undergraduate and veterinary degrees at Auburn University. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science early and, in 1999, Dr. Simpkin earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with Magna Cum Laude honors. At only 22 years old, Dr. Simpkins achieved her dreams of becoming an exceptional veterinarian.
Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Simpkins knew she wanted to be a veterinarian at a young age. She started working in the veterinary field in 1990 at her family veterinary office, where she fell in love with the profession and decided to pursue her education in the field of veterinary medicine. Dr. Simpkins has professional interests in ultrasound and internal medicine.
Dr. Simpkins moved to Johnson City, Tennessee after her first year in practice and split her time working at Cherokee Hospital for Animals and a veterinary practice in Kingsport. She moved home to Alabama to be with family and joined the clinical team at a six-doctor veterinary practice in Birmingham. There, she gained invaluable experience and mastered her clinical skills.
To Dr. Simpkins, the most rewarding part about working in the veterinary field is experiencing the special and irreplaceable bond between people and their pets. That’s why, in addition to providing outstanding veterinary medical services, Dr. Simpkins focuses on warm communication and eduates pet parents on what is best for their pet family. To put it simply, she can’t imagine doing anything else.
Dr. Simpkins is the mother to one daughter, Marin. She is also a pet parent to a Terrier mix named Foofers and a feline friend named Nigel, and they’re both highly skilled at getting their favorite treats. Foofers will sit on her hind legs and beg; meanwhile, Nigel goes straight to the source and opens the pantry himself. Outside of the hospital environment, Dr. Simpkins enjoys spending time with her daughter, running, practicing yoga, and reading.
Dr. Amanda Wilson achieved her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. She is proud to serve as an Owner/Partner Veterinarian at Cherokee Hospital for Animals and has over twelve years of experience as a general practitioner for small animals. Dr. Wilson began working in the veterinary field in 2004 as a veterinary assistant and receptionist and has advanced training in Diagnostic Ultrasound, Soft Tissue Surgery, and Internal Medicine. Her compassion and strong desire to care for animals along with her strengths in the science and math fields inspired her to become a veterinarian.
Dr. Wilson grew up on a small farm in Milan, TN, and currently lives in Greeneville, TN where she shares a home with her husband, T.K., their son Brantley, and five fur babies: Miniature Doxie's Tilly and Cinni, Black Lab, Dubs, Tricolor Beagle, Cooper, and Hitchy Cat. When Dr. Wilson is not practicing quality veterinary medicine, she loves to cook, enjoys designing charcuterie and cheese boards, and loves spending time with family, friends, and her pups! A fun fact about Dr. Wilson is that she loves traveling and has been to 38 states. Her goal is to visit all 50 states, along with as many countries as she can!
Dr. Brooke Barrett is an Associate Veterinarian with Cherokee Hospital for Animals. Dr. Barrett received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with Summa Cum Laude honors from Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. She is passionate about client education to help guide pet parents and preventative care to help ensure our pets have long and happy lives. She also has a special interest in emergency medicine.
Originally from a small town in central New York, Dr. Barrett was raised around a variety of animals. Her grandmother's passion and love for animals inspired Dr. Barrett to pursue a career as a veterinarian. At 16, she began working at a local veterinary hospital as a veterinary assistant to gain experience in the field. Early acceptance to LMU-CVM led her to East Tennessee, which she now calls home. During her free time, Dr. Barrett enjoys fishing with her husband and hiking with their three dogs: Jack, Charlie, and Freya. They also enjoy traveling together and plan to visit all 50 states and 63 national parks.
Whitney is our Practice Manager here at Cherokee and is such a valued member of our team! She joined our team in 2017 with 4 years of Veterinary Assistant experience. Though she was a Veterinary Assistant with us for 5 years, she has worn many hats during her time here. She is trained in every department and is one of our most versatile employees. She was promoted to Practice Manager in January 2022 and has continued to excel in our clinic. Her work ethic and dedication to making our clinic the best it can be is unmatched. One of her favorite parts of working here at Cherokee is loving on all the squishy faced dogs who come through our doors and helping our team succeed. Whitney is happily married and is the mom to two little boys. In her free time, she loves going on hikes and reading a good book.
Angela was born and raised in the Johnson City area. She has been a member of our team since 2002 with previous experience in the medical field. You can always find her eager to help any client who comes through our door, and she finds joy in ensuring everyone is looked after. Angela has formed such amazing bonds with our clients over the years and we are so lucky to have her. Outside of work she is a mother to her daughter and rescue puppy Sarah. She’s a very active member in her church where she is on the usher board, sings in the choir, and takes bible study classes.
Rachel has lived in East Tennessee her whole life. She joined the Cherokee team in 2019 as a CSR after several years in human medicine. She combines her love of animals with her passion for helping people by taking terrific care of our clients and their pets! She takes pride in the blended family her and her husband of 19 years have created with their four precious children. Her kids are her world including her cat named Kit Kat and dog Loki. Rachel loves spending her time outside of work with her family and when she does sneak away for some alone time she likes to read.
Mary first started at Cherokee back in 1996 as a CSR when she moved from her home state of Massachusetts. Mary stayed with us for 20 years before she moved to Vermont in 2016. We were thrilled when she moved back to Tennessee in 2021 and rejoined our staff. Mary’s extensive experience in the veterinary field makes her such a valuable member of our team. Her five cats are her babies, and she loves them more than anything! When she’s not working Mary enjoys going out and collecting more plants for her house. She also loves riding her bicycle and one day hopes to get a motorcycle.
A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Alicia moved to East Tennessee after she met her husband. With 8 years of experience in the veterinary field, she joined the Cherokee team in 2020. She cross-trained and worked as a Veterinary Assistant for a few years before rejoining our CSR team. Alicia finds the most joy in caring for sick patients so they can return to their family happy and healthy. She has a golden retriever named Link, who you can see most days hanging out up front in our reception area.
Originally from upstate New York, Taylor joined our Cherokee team as a licensed veterinary technician in 2024 after she relocated to East Tennessee with her husband. She attended SUNY Delhi and graduated with a bachelor's degree in veterinary technology. She passed the veterinary technician national exam in 2019 and has been working as an LVT ever since. Taylor spent time in South Africa studying abroad and working with wildlife then completed a 4-month internship in Florida, where her she worked on sea turtles, armadillos, pelicans, and many other critters that came through the door. Her favorite part of her job is scrubbing into surgeries, advocating for her patients, and giving patients a little extra love to help ease any stress during their visit. In her free time, Taylor enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their two dogs, Marvin and Dagwood.
Spending 10 years as an LPN, Nancy transitioned into the veterinary field when she joined our team back in 2003 as a Veterinary Assistant. She’s always had a passion for caring for animals and is such an experienced member of our team! She finds the most rewarding part of her job to be seeing our patients from their first visit all the way to their senior years. She has a Dogo Argentino named Pearl who, along with her son, is her entire world. She loves exploring the great outdoors with Pearl and spends the rest of her time relaxing.
Racheal is a native of Houston, Texas who relocated to East Tennessee with her husband back in 2018. She joined our team at Cherokee as a CSR shortly after moving to the area. She had 3 years of experience in the veterinary field prior to joining our team, and when cross trained as a Veterinary Assistant she truly found her calling! She enjoys assisting our doctors in surgery and training the new technicians who join our team. Racheal has two calico cats named Rebel and Queenie whom she loves more than anything in this world. When she’s not working, she enjoys reading and playing cozy video games with her husband.
Kristen is one of our Veterinary Assistants that joined the Cherokee family in 2018. She completed the Approved Veterinary Assistant Program in 2020 and continues to show a lot of promise in her role. Her favorite parts of her day include educating our clients as well as nurturing our sick patients back to health. At home she has Gracie, her best four-legged friend. When Kristen isn’t working, she enjoys spending her time crocheting, playing video games, and performing with Night Owl Circus Arts.
Katelynn joined the Cherokee family in 2021 as a Kennel Assistant. She quickly transitioned to the role of a Veterinary Assistant and has since completed the Approved Veterinary Assistant Program. Katelynn loves spoiling our patients and easing their anxiety during their visit by giving them lots of treats! She is married to her high school sweetheart and has the world’s most beautiful husky named Charlie. In her free time Katelynn enjoys curling up with a cozy blanket and reading a good book.
Originally from Joliet, Illinois, Alexis moved to Tennessee in 2023 with her family that includes her two cats, two dogs, and a horse! She joined our Cherokee family in 2023 as a Veterinary Assistant and has been a wonderful addition to our team! Her favorite parts of her job include helping our sick patients and loving on all the adorable puppies and kittens we see! In her free time, she loves reading and horseback riding.
Wanda is our fabulous dog groomer! She has over 20 years in the grooming industry and has been a member of the Cherokee family since 1990. The most rewarding part of her job is the relationships she builds with her clients and of all their dogs. She has one named Spartacus, and in the summertime, you can find her relaxing on her boat enjoying the sunshine.
Danny joined the Cherokee family in 2013 as a Kennel Assistant. He loves meeting new clients and building long-lasting relationships with them and their pets. At home, he is the odd man out, with three daughters and their mother, but he wouldn’t want it any other way. He has two dogs, Harry and Molly, and a porch squirrel who’s made himself a part of their family. Whenever he has free time Danny enjoys creative writing, playing piano, refurbishing antiques, camping, and golfing.
Relocating to East Tennessee from Simi Valley, California, Makayla joined our Cherokee team as a Kennel Assistant in 2022. Although a newcomer to the veterinary field, Makayla has done such a great job with our boarding patients and hopes to continue to expand her veterinary knowledge. At home she has two cats who she adores more than anything, Flynn and Maple. Outside of work Makayla enjoys filling her free time reading and writing poetry, creating charcoal art, and singing in a choir.
New to the veterinary field, Katie joined our Cherokee team as a Kennel Assistant in 2023. In her role, she enjoys getting to see all the different patients who visit us, especially the Dachshunds and Golden Retrievers! In her spare time, Katie enjoys reading, writing, and going to the gym. At home she has a Dachshund named Duke and cat named Patch.
Xavier joined our team as a Veterinary Assistant in 2023 with prior experience working at a boarding facility. He is currently a Microbiology student at ETSU and has two adorable pups named Layla and Vivian. His favorite part of his job is spending extra time with our boarding pets that are a little shy to make them more comfortable during their stay. He says with a little extra time and care, these end up being some of our happiest boarding pets!
Located directly outside of Buffalo Mountain Park and just off of University Parkway.
Phone: 423-928-7272
