Dr. Randy Ellis
Dr. Ellis graduated from the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical School in 1998. He remained at the University for a 1-year rotating small animal internship and then practiced in White Bear Lake at a small animal hospital. In 2001 he moved to the St. James Veterinary Clinic, which he purchased in 2007. He sold the practice to Dr. Hirsch in April of 2020.
Dr. Ellis has a special interest in orthopedics, neurology, and hospice and end-of-life care. Although his training has been mostly small animal focused, he also enjoys large animal work and spending time on farms.
Dr. Ellis is married with two daughters and lives in St. James with his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Charlie.
Practicing since 1998
Education: University of Minnesota
Dr. Dana Hirsch
Dr. Hirsch graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 and completed her clinical year at the University of Minnesota. She focused her studies on large animal medicine and has since developed a strong focus on equine care to serve the horse population of Southwestern Minnesota.
Originally from Maryland, she fell in love with the Midwest during her clinical years and now lives in St. James with her husband, daughter, dogs, horses, and cats.
Dr. Hirsch purchased the clinic from Dr. Ellis in April of 2020 and looks forward to continuing to grow the practice while providing compassionate, high-quality care.
Practicing since 2013
Education: Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Jacob Baker
Dr. Baker is a native of Sherburn, Minnesota, and received his veterinary degree from Iowa State University in 2020. He is excited to serve pets and their owners in St. James and the surrounding communities and values building long-term, trusting relationships with his clients. He enjoys working with all creatures, great and small.
In his spare time, Dr. Baker enjoys camping on the North Shore with his wife and three children, pheasant hunting, and training his Labrador puppy, Norm.
Practicing since 2020
Education: Iowa State University
New photo coming soon.
Dr. Katharine Johnson
Katharine is originally from Illinois and attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana for both her undergraduate and graduate programs. Upon graduation in 2017, Katharine and her now-husband moved to Saint Peter, Minnesota, where they still reside.
Katharine enjoys the challenges that come along with working on a variety of species and especially loves soft tissue surgery, reproductive care, and small animal dentistry. After practicing for seven years and recognizing where western medicine sometimes fell short, Katharine took an interest in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine to learn a different ideology and method of diagnosing and treating.
She received her certification in veterinary acupuncture in 2024 from Chi University and plans to pursue additional education in herbal medicine and chiropractic care in the future.
Katharine and her husband are kept on their toes by their two young daughters, Eloise and Noelle, while their loyal best girl will always be Ella, their 10-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog.
Practicing since 2017
Education: University of Illinois, Chi University
Tammy Gingles-Baum
Practice Manager
Tammy is the Practice Manager at the clinic, overseeing everything from human resources and bookkeeping to daily operations behind the scenes. With a background in social services and resource management, she brings organization, compassion, and leadership to the practice.
She lives in New Ulm with her three dogs Rocky, Peanut, and Archie and her cat, Bruce Batman. Tammy is a proud mom of three grown children and has fostered dogs for many years through Healing Hearts and Watonwan County Humane Society.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, woodworking, painting, auctioneering, and anything involving animals.
Mandi Smith
Receptionist
Mandi has been a valued member of the clinic since August 2020. As the receptionist, she helps keep daily operations running smoothly while ensuring clients feel welcomed and supported.
Mandi is from New Ulm and enjoys kayaking, four-wheeling, camping, and riding her mule, Banjo. She also has a special interest in herpetology and entomology and has previously kept many reptiles. Currently, she also has three cats: Spook, Meatloaf, and Splinter; three dogs: Roo (our unpaid greeter), Squid, and Karen; and a few tarantulas 😉
Anthony Cowell
Lead Technician
Anthony is a Certified Veterinary Technician who graduated from Rochester Community and Technical College with a degree in Veterinary Technology. He joined the clinic in 2011 and assists both in-clinic and on farm calls, especially with large animals.
Anthony lives on a farm in Mountain Lake with a variety of animals and is an invaluable part of the clinic team.
Practicing since 2011
Education: Rochester Community and Technical College
Morgan Meyer
Lead Technician
Morgan is a Veterinary Technician that graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College in 2015 with an Associates in Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. She then worked at Schwartz Sow Farm as a Day One Specialist for a year before deciding that she wanted to use her Vet Tech degree to work with other animals.
Morgan started working at St James Vet in September of 2016. She currently lives in Butterfield with her significant other and three beautiful children. Morgan has three dogs and one cat, while also working with the Watonwan County Humane Society in fostering dogs.
Practicing since 2016
Education: Iowa Lakes Community College
Macy Schwarz
Lead Technician
Macy is a Certified Veterinary Technician who graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College in 2022 with an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology. She joined the clinic after completing her internship with us.
Macy lives in Vernon Center with her dog Fin, her cat BBQ, and her herd of goats. Her experience with small ruminants occasionally takes her out on farm calls.
Education: Iowa Lakes Community College
Kaitlyn Oltmans
Lead Technician
Kaitlyn is a Certified Veterinary Technician who graduated from Ridgewater College with a degree in Veterinary Technology. She lives in Windom with her husband, cats, and dog Trixie.
Education: Ridgewater College
Brooke Jensen
Brooke grew up outside Sanborn, Minnesota, on a cattle operation where her passion for animals began. She graduated in May 2024 from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture with a degree in Veterinary Technology.
She has a strong interest in large animal care and enjoys continuing to develop her skills to provide excellent patient care. In her free time, Brooke trains and runs her Border Collies in stock dog trials.
Brooke looks forward to meeting you and your furry or not-so-furry friends.
Education: Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
Cheyenne Owens
Cheyenne majored in Biology at Bethany Lutheran College and has spent most of her life on a ranch, working with horses and cattle. She assists veterinarians primarily on farm calls and is always ready to take on any task.
Cheyenne lives in Jackson with her son, two dogs, and horses.
Education: Bethany Lutheran College
Maddie Leqve
Maddie is a full-time Veterinary Assistant specializing in equine care. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from South Dakota State University and returned to the clinic in 2024 after gaining experience in Rochester.
Outside of work, Maddie shares her life with two cats, Tarzan and Jane, and her Labrador, Jackson. We are thrilled to have Maddie back. Be sure to say hi when you see her working with your horses.
Education: South Dakota State University
Dinah Griese
Dinah Griese attended Iowa Lakes in May 2023 and began her career at St. James Veterinary Clinic as an intern in June 2022. Following graduation, she transitioned into a full-time role, where she has continued to grow her skills and demonstrate a strong commitment to patient care and teamwork.
Outside of work, she enjoys staying active through co-ed softball, spending time fishing, and making memories with her daughter, Phinley, and her dog, Doobi.
Education: Iowa Lakes Community College
Brianna Pidde
Brianna Pidde graduated from Ridgewater College in 2024 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. She joined the clinic in 2024 and lives in St. James with her significant other, four cats, and two dogs, Sadie and Moose.
Originally from Comfrey, Bri grew up on her family’s farm, where her lifelong love for animals began. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going for walks, and helping out on her dad’s farm. She has a strong passion for working with both large and small animals and brings compassion and dedication to every patient she cares for.
Education: Ridgewater College