Our Team – Veterinarians

Dr. Graham graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1986 and quickly found a passion for emergency medicine and a need for an after hours clinic in the south metro. He was one of the original founders and helped to start South Metro Animal Emergency Care in 1988. Dr. Graham has worked full time in emergency medicine since 1988 and takes a special interest in the patient that presents with Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus. In his spare time Dr. Graham enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf. His Animal family consists of 2 dogs, 2 cats and plenty of fish.

Dr. Jenn Heesen grew up in central California with one younger sister and two loving parents.  Her family is originally from the Twin Cities area and in 2005 she chose to make Minnesota her home. At a young age, Dr. Heesen developed an interest in medicine from her father who was an emergency room physician. 

Although it was her father’s influence that inspired a future in medicine, it was her love of animals that ultimately drove her focus toward veterinary medicine.  She graduated with honors from Saint Cloud State University in 2009, completing her Bachelor’s degree in biomedical science.  In 2013, she earned her DVM degree from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, where she focused on small animal medicine.

Dr. Heesen currently lives in rural Minnesota south of the twin cities with her husband Chad and Senegal parrot, Pepper.  When she is not working at South Metro, she enjoys volunteering at the humane society, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing and game nights with family and friends.

Dr. Bryan Birch is a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to becoming a doctor, Dr. Birch served in the United States Navy and then attended Penn State University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science degree. He grew up in upstate New York, but after completing the program at the University of Minnesota has decided to make Minnesota his home. His wife and daughter share their lives with a dog, two cats, a turtle and a gerbil.

Dr. Novik earned her DVM degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She did her internship in small animal medicine and surgery at VCA Referral and Emergency Center in New York, NY. 

Dr. Novik is passionate about surgery, critical care, and wound management. She speaks fluent Russian, is scuba diving certified, and has competed as a ballroom dancer. She has a Boston terrier named Louie and an orange tabby named Rishka, who she rescued while in vet school.

David Lindquist, DVM, received his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago in 1991. He then graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, in 1995. He has practiced small animal medicine at several clinics since then. He completed an emergency and critical care internship at the Animal Emergency Center in Glendale, WI, in 2004. Dr. Lindquist joined SMAEC in 2008. He lives in Baldwin, WI, with his wife, their 3 daughters and 2 dogs. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, gardening, being a volunteer driver for the VA Hospital and being active in the Roberts Lions Club.

Dr. Wenum grew up in Minnesota, in the Twin Cities area. He joined the Coast Guard and was stationed on the East Coast for 4 years. He moved back to Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota for both undergraduate and graduate school. He graduated Veterinary school in 2000. Dr. Wenum has worked in the Emergency Field of Veterinary Medicine for 14 years. He enjoys the case load in an emergency setting and enjoys helping clients and their pets during a typically stressful period. His main professional interests include Emergency and Critical Care, Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging. His personal interest include spending time with his family, weight lifting, Muay Thai boxing, scuba diving and travel.