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 Associate Veterinarian at Cherokee Hospital for Animals, and has over seven years 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 Greenville, TN where she shares a home with her husband, T.K., and their rescue pets: Miniature Doxie’s Tilly and Cinni, Black Lab, Dubs, and Tricolor Beagle, Cooper. When Dr. Wilson is not practicing quality veterinary medicine, she participates in 5K’s and half marathons, 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 36 states. Her goal is to visit all 50 states, along with as many countries as she can!
Dr. Miranda Lilly Finkle is a Relief Veterinarian at Cherokee Hospital for Animals. She graduated from Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2015, and has received clinical training from Boulder Valley Humane Society, Humane Alliance, and VCA Highlands. She began working in the veterinary field in 2007 and her areas of professional interest include surgery, feline medicine, and emergency medicine. Dr. Finkle was inspired to become a veterinarian through the James Herriot books, sharing a love for animals with her dad, and a fascination of anatomy and biology.
Originally from Lebanon, Virginia, Dr. Finkle currently lives in Bristol, TN with her husband, Travis, three dogs and four cats. When she is not practicing veterinary medicine, she enjoys spending time outside, hiking, running, skiing, and traveling. She also loves watching live music and has been to concerts and festivals all over the country. A few fun facts about Dr. Finkle was that she used to be a ski instructor, and her husband proposed to her at 8,000 ft on top of a mountain in Montana after a five mile hike. Dr. Finkle also spends time giving back to the community by volunteering at Speedway in Lights for Speedway Children’s Charities.
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.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Alicia currently lives in Johnson City along with her husband and stepchildren. She joined the Cherokee staff in 2020 as a CSR after working in a boarding facility for several years. In her role, Alicia enjoys seeing all the different patients that visit the clinic and fostering a fun-loving environment with her co-workers. In her spare time, Alicia enjoys reading and doing yoga. At home she has a cat named Diamond and an influencer dog named Fiona, who has a talent for stacking things on her nose and head. Check out her Instagram- @things.on.fionas.face.
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.
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.
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 as a CSR. She was cross trained and now works primarily as a Veterinary Assistant. 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 with our reception staff.
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.
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.
Born in Grasse, France, Cheyenne moved to Tennessee in 2005. Bringing with her prior boarding experience, she joined our Cherokee family in 2022 as a Kennel Assistant. She does an amazing job caring for our boarding patients, making sure each one has a great time while they are with us! She spends her time outside of work enjoying activities such as gardening and woodworking. Cheyenne and her boyfriend are expecting their first child together, a little girl, due fall 2023. She has two dogs named Thor and Loki, and one cat, Archimedes.
Located directly outside of Buffalo Mountain Park and just off of University Parkway.
Phone: 423-928-7272
