4250 Iron Works Pike
Lexington , KY 40511

P: (859) 255-8741
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Hagyard Equine


Hagyard Equine Medical Institute was founded in 1876 and is located in Lexington, KY. The institute, which is located directly across from the Kentucky Horse Park, is one of the oldest and largest equine veterinary practices in the world and is known for its excellence in veterinary medicine. The institute has practiced veterinary medicine for more than 134 years and is currently composed of over 60 experienced veterinarians, with 12 board certifications in specialty areas of Medicine, Surgery, Critical Care, and Theriogenology. The Hagyard Sport Horse Program, a specialized department at the institute, serves the nation's top sport horse athletes and brings the same level of excellent care to high performance horses that the institute has provided for the race horse and breeding industries for decades.
Barry David , DVM, DACVIM
A Colorado native, Dr. Barry David received both his BS and DVM from Colorado State University. Dr. David was an intern here at Hagyard Davidson McGee Equine Hospital and remained at Hagyard’s as an associate ambulatory veterinarian for three years. After practicing in Virginia and Dubai, Barry completed a residency in large animal internal medicine at Texas A&M University and then accepted a position as internal medicine specialist here at Hagyard Davidson McGee. Dr. David then practiced in both Virginia and Florida before rejoining the staff at the McGee Medical Center. Dr. David has written several book chapters and journal articles in addition to speaking at a number of state veterinary meetings.
Dwayne Rodgerson , DVM, MS, DACVS
Dr. Rodgerson is originally from Prince Edward Island, Canada, and completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Atlantic Veterinary College. He completed a surgical internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute prior to his residency and Masters program at Auburn University. After his residency, Dr. Rodgerson joined the University of Missouri as a Clinical Instructor in Equine Surgery for one year. Dr Rodgerson then joined the University of Florida’s Large Animal Hospital as a Clinical Lecturer for one year, and then an Assistant Professor for two years. Dr. Rodgerson joined Hagyard as an Equine Surgeon in 2002 and is a Member of the Practice.
Genevieve Fontaine , DMV, MS, DACVIM
Jessica Thornton , IVCA, DVM
Kathy MacGillivray , VMD, DACVIM
Dr. MacGillivray attended the University of Pennsylvania and obtained her veterinary degree in 1998. Following her internship at Peterson and Smith in Ocala Florida from June of 1998 through June of 1999, Dr. MacGillivray returned to New Bolton Center for her internal medicine residency. After her residency, Dr. MacGillivray worked as an emergency clinician at New Bolton Center and for some local private ambulatory practices. Dr. MacGillivray joined the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute McGee Medicine Center in Lexington, Kentucky as an Internal Medicine Associate in 2003.
Laura Werner , DVM, MS, DACVS
Dr. Werner attended the University of Kentucky before transferring to Auburn University to complete her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a surgical internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute prior to her residency and Master’s program at The Ohio State University. Dr. Werner stayed on as a clinical instructor at The Ohio State University after her residency and then went on to be a surgeon in private practice in Central California for six years. In January of 2011, Dr. Werner joined Hagyard Equine Medical Institute as a Surgery Associate in the Davidson Surgery Center. She specializes in lameness and equine emergency services. In addition to her experience as a surgeon, Dr. Werner has worked as a FEI Veterinary Delegate at some of the top Three-Day eventing competitions in the United States. While at Hagyard, Dr. Werner will be continuing her research on septic arthritis and osteomyelitis, which she began as a resident.
Liz Barrett , DVM, MS, DACVS
Dr. Barrett is originally from Prince Edward Island Canada, where she completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Atlantic Veterinary College. She then completed a one year surgical internship at Hagyard in 2009 prior to a surgical residency and masters program at Auburn University. Her research focused on tendon repair after laceration. She joined the Hagyard Sport Horse team in the fall of 2013 to focus on lameness and emergency work. She is a permitted FEI treating veterinarian.
Michael Hore , MVB
Dr. Hore was born and raised on a farm in South Ireland. He attended the University College of Dublin with a degree in veterinary medicine in 2004. Dr. Hore completed a surgery internship and then a medicine fellowship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, after which he became a Surgery Associate. His primary focus or practice is digital radiography, sales work, angular limb deformities and lameness.
Michael Spirito , DVM
Dr. Spirito spent two years working with a veterinarian on the Maryland Race track circuit whose interest was primarily lameness. After that, he attended veterinary school in Torino, Italy and graduated in 1980. While there, he spent a lot of time at the race tracks looking at lame horses. He returned to the United States and spent a year at the New Jersey Equine Clinic then began work at Hagyard. His primary interest is juvenile orthopedics, sales and pre-purchase work, and soft tissue surgery involving the broodmare. Dr. Spirito has a special interest in lameness and conformation and has dedicated his career in these areas. Dr. Spirito joined Hagyard as an Equine Surgeon in 1982 and is a Member of the Practice
Michele Frazer , DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC
Dr. Michele Frazer, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, attended the University of Kentucky for her undergraduate education before graduating from Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995. After working in a referral clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, she completed a medicine residency at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and obtained board certification in internal medicine in 1999. After her residency, Dr. Frazer served as an equine clinician and instructor at Kansas State Veterinary College before returning to Lexington and establishing a solo practice. Dr. Frazer joined Hagyard Equine Medical Institute as an Internal Medicine Specialist in 2004. In 2011, she obtained Diplomate status in the Veterinary College of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine as well as certification in equine acupuncture. Although Dr. Frazer enjoys all aspects of equine internal medicine, she has a particular interest in protein losing enteropathies, neonatology, and critical care medicine. Dr. Frazer regularly speaks at nationally recognized meetings including the AAEP and ACVIM forums, publishes in veterinary journals, and is co-editor of an ultrasound atlas
Nathan Slovis , DVM, DACVIM, CHT
Dr. Nathan Slovis is the Director of the McGee Center and a Member of the Practice. He is a native of Annapolis, Maryland. He received his Bachelor of Science from Radford University, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University, interned at Arizona Equine Center and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Slovis has published over 30 manuscripts in both national and international peer reviewed veterinary journals. He is the Editor of both the Atlas of Equine Endoscopy and The Atlas of Diseases/Disorders of the Foal both distributed by Elsevier. He implemented the current Infectious Disease and Equine Emergency Response Programs at Hagyard and holds the position of Infectious Disease Officer and Equine Emergency Response Director. He is also a Certified Hyperbaric Technologist and a Member of the Veterinary Infectious Disease Society.
Robert Hunt , DVM, MS, DACVS
W. True Baker , DVM, DACVS
Dr. William True Baker grew up in Woodford County, Kentucky. His early work with horses came from both his father, Dr. Bill Baker, DVM at Woodford Equine Hospital and his stepfather Michael H. Bell, a thoroughbred trainer at Churchill Downs. Instilled with the love of horses at an early age, he attended Auburn University where he graduated with honors from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. After graduation, Dr. Baker furthered his education through an internship and surgical residency at the prestigious Peterson and Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala, Florida. After concluding his residency in 2010, Dr. Baker joined his father at Woodford Equine Hospital prior to joining Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in 2014. Dr. Baker's professional interests include Thoroughbred sales, orthopedic surgery and upper airway surgery. He has published research on conformation and angular limb deformities as well as equine colic. Dr. Baker is pursuing on-going research in the equine acute abdomen and the effects of osteochondral lesions on racing performance. Dr. Baker also continues an active interest in Thoroughbred racing. Dr. Baker is an active board member of the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center where he volunteers his expertise to help rehabilitate and re-train thoroughbred racehorses for new careers in dressage, jumping and three-day eventing.
William Baker , DVM, MS, DACVS-LA