Meet The Team

Dr. Kristina Ringness grew up in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, near Crescent Falls. She attended the University of Alberta and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Specialization degree in Zoology in 1990. It was at this point she set her sights on becoming a Veterinarian, and attended Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, graduating in 1997.

After this, she moved to the North Okanagan and has enjoyed the area since. In 2003, she opened Crescent Falls Veterinary Hospital and a few years later, was able to build the current facility. She enjoys companion animal surgery and medicine and the rewarding feeling of working together with clients for the health of their pets.

Dr. Sam Gertz is originally from Massachusetts and knew from a very young age that she wanted to become a veterinarian, having grown up around animals of all kinds from dogs to bunnies to horses. She graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in PEI in 2022 and made the decision to move out west to the Okanagan shortly after graduation. Her particular interests include internal medicine, dermatology, and behavior, and she enjoys the variety that small animal general practice offers!​

Dr. Sam lives on a small acreage with her partner, their two dogs, Ezra and Betty, and her horses. When not working or tending to her animals, she enjoys exploring the beautiful Okanagan with her partner and their dogs and reading.

 Anna grew up in Sweden and first came to Canada as a student. She settled in the North Okanagan and went on to graduate from Thompson Rivers University as a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2002. She joined our team in the summer of 2005.
Anna is our resident “cat whisperer” and lives with her husband and fur children on a farm outside of Vernon.

Kathy grew up in Vernon and joined our team as a Receptionist in 2006. Over the years she has remained an integral part of our team and she has grown to know most of our clients and their pets and appreciates the one on one interactions.
Kathy and her husband have 2 daughters and a dog named Ruxin and they enjoy the Okanagan lifestyle!

Having grown up in a farming environment in southwest Ontario, animals have always been a major part of my life. Whether it is livestock or companion animals, l've never been without a four-legged friend. Moving from Ontario in 1992, leaving behind my farming roots and position within a local veterinary clinic, I was fortunate to land a position in a veterinary clinic in Vernon as a client care representative evolving to the manager position for the last decade at that clinic. Now that I am nearing my golden years I accepted a position in client care and administration in 2022. I am thrilled to be working with a wonderful, warm and supportive team at Crescent Falls Veterinary Hospital. In my spare time I enjoy camping, exploring the back country with my husband Frank. Our animal menagerie consists of Lucy our dog and two cats. Silas and Boris. 

I started my career in Veterinary Medicine in 2020. Working from a kennel attendant to a veterinary assistant, I hope to further my career by expanding my schooling with the Veterinary Technician course. My passion within the field is behaviour and rehab.  If I'm not working you will find me adventuring with my boy Boz. We love to hike, swim, travel and push ourselves to see all of this beautiful place we live in.​

Hi, I am Tammi. I am a relatively new face at Crescent Falls Veterinary Hospital but I have been around animals and pets ever since I can remember! I used to fill my mom’s house with just about any kind of creature needing a new home, from dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles and more. When I am away from my animals at work, I enjoy spending time with my two Frenchie’s,  Dexter and Daisy, my German Shephard Harley, 3 cats and can’t forget about my chickens and ducks! (which I may have given names to a few..) I have a passion for the outdoors. I enjoy from running, camping hunting to fishing. I most enjoy spending time with my wonderful family and loving husband out on the lakes and rivers exploring our beautiful province in our kayaks and paddleboards.

Recently Roswell has been promoted in the office to our new Vice Purrsident of Culinary Affairs. Roswell taste tests all new feline treats brought in, along with any new foods others don't want to try. On his off time Roswell likes to spend 80% of his day yawning and sleeping sound like a baby. He silently judges you as you make the choice to walk past him without giving scratches. Roswell has been a resident here for over 5 years now and has made himself very much at home. You may see him now and then but he likes to keep to his snack providers most of the time in the back. 

This little girl has many tasks and talents, while keeping to herself she does love a good scratch behind the ears. Miss "Swish-swish" gets her nickname from her fluffy tail that never stops swishing. Gertie is our Director of Fluff and Fabric Affairs. Keeping all the clean laundry warm and hairy is 90% of her daily tasks, otherwise she is competing with her brother for snacks. Upon discovering some underlying health concerns early on Gertrude has lived here at the clinic for majority of her life. She is the sassiest, quietist, most loving from afar cat ever. Again, you may see Gertie sometime sneak up front but she knows which staff to sucker into an overload of treats in the back.