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GET TO KNOW US

Our Team

Get to know the amazing team of professionals at Gateway Veterinary Surgery!

female and dog golding hands
female and dog golding hands

DVM, MS Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons

Dr. Jennifer Wardlaw

Dr. Jennifer Lynn Demko Wardlaw is a St. Louis native and founder of Gateway Veterinary Surgery. After completing veterinary school at Mizzou, Dr. Wardlaw completed an internship, surgical residency, and rigorous examination to become a Board-Certified small animal surgeon. During her residency she also completed a Master’s Degree in veterinary anatomy with distinction by being awarded the Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year award.

Dr. Wardlaw’s love of St. Louis and desire to improve the quality of life for pets and their owners inspired this next step in her career. Her goal in opening Gateway Veterinary Surgery in 2013 was to bring top-quality surgery to veterinary hospitals all over the St. Louis region.

Learn More About Dr. Wardlaw
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DVM, MS, DACVS-SA – Collaborating Surgeon

Dr. Jill Luther

Dr. Luther earned her board certification in small animal surgery in 2010. She spent four years in private practice in St. Louis, eight years as academic faculty at MU, and in 2021 started to provide mobile soft tissue consultation, surgery, and teaching. Her greatest strength in teaching lies in the applied, practical application of surgery. She resides in Columbia, MO with her amazing family that includes her husband, Wally, a teacher and builder, and kids Walter, 12, Millie, 10, and Oliver, 6. Together, they enjoy fixer-upper homes, traveling, and a chaotic household of four cats, a spazzy puppy named Raspberry, and Scarlett, a miniature Aussie who herds everyone.
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DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) – Collaborating Small Animal Specialist

Dr. Richard Meadows

Dr. Richard Meadows grew up in a mixed animal veterinary clinic in the panhandle of Texas and, over the last 43 years, has worked in many areas of private and academic medicine/surgery. For over 20 years he was the section leader for small animal Primary Care, Dentistry, Dermatology and Shelter Medicine at the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He was named Small Animal Practitioner of the year by the AVMA in 2006 and National Veterinary School Teacher of the year in 2010. He has also been awarded the title of Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor, Emeritus. He likes traveling with his geriatric motorcycle group and/or his wife and loves spoiling his 5 grandchildren, who all live in state.
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Senior Surgical Nurse

Megan Laffler, RVT

Megan is a Registered Veterinary Nurse and has been with the GVS team since 2016. She obtained her A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology from Vet Tech Institute at Hickey College in 2012. She quickly fell in love with surgery during the first few years of her career, where she worked in a GP Surgical Department. From there, her passion for surgery has only grown. She loves assisting Dr. Wardlaw in the OR, monitoring anesthesia, and is dedicated to providing a positive difference in the lives of the patients and their owners too! Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and her two dogs: Rocko (Yellow Lab)and Tubby (Terrier Mix).
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Surgical Nurse

Rachael Underhill, CVT

Racheal has been a Certified Veterinary Technician since 2011. She has a BM in secondary education from UW-Whitewater and an AS in Veterinary Technology from Hickey College. She previously worked in general practice in Illinois, but surgery is where her heart is. She lives with her husband, Paul, and son, Jude. They have a pug mix named Charlie Barker. In her free time she enjoys running, traveling (especially to Disney parks), as well as watching the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers.
Jamie Woodliff RVT - Gateway Veterinary Surgery

Surgical Nurse

Angel Beaman, RVT

Angel graduated from Vet Tech Institute of Hickey College and became a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2014. She went into general practice at a clinic that provided care to exotic pocket pets in addition to canines & felines, learning anesthesia and surgery on everything from hamsters to Great Danes. She is excited to expand her surgical experience with the dedicated team at Gateway Veterinary Surgery. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter & giant yellow Lab (Moose). She loves reading, hiking, running, and cheering on St. Louis sports teams.

Jamie Woodliff RVT - Gateway Veterinary Surgery

Surgical nurse

Tara White, CVT

Tara graduated with honors from Bel Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Colorado in 2010, earning her Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. She then passed her VTNE in March of 2011, shortly before beginning her employment within general practice. During this time she developed a strong interest in surgery. Tara’s professional goal has been to work with the team at GVS since seeing her first TPLO procedure several years ago.