Casey Beck, DVM
Medical Director
About Dr. Beck
Dr. Beck is originally from Ellicott City, Maryland but has lived in many places and countries ranging from Virginia, Kansas, and North Carolina to Ireland and Grenada where she completed her veterinary degree at St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in the West Indies. She is primarily interested in all aspects of small animal surgery including soft tissue, orthopedic and dentistry as well as urgent care, dermatology, exotics and senior pet welfare. In her free time Dr. Beck enjoys running, gardening, traveling (especially to the beach!), caring for her chickens and ducks and spending time with her awesome husband, three beautiful children, four wild dogs, one old cat and one cute little guinea pig.
Jane Annand, VMD
Veterinarian
About Dr. Annand
Jane dreamed of becoming a veterinarian starting at a very young age. She was strongly influenced by her mother, a horticulturalist who taught her to care for all living things, and her father, an engineer who taught her how all things work. Her grandfather, a large animal veterinarian, taught her what it meant to be a doctor and inspired her to follow in his footsteps.
She found her way to the beautiful state of Colorado for college where she studied Biology and began her journey towards becoming a veterinarian. She landed back home to begin veterinary school at her grandfather’s alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, in 2014.
Jane and her husband Jonathan (married November 2018) are thrilled to be on the Eastern Shore where they are surrounded by water and close to family. Shortly after buying a home in Denton they adopted a black lab named Kelce to fit the Eastern Shore stereotype. Kelce quickly became an important family member and soon demanded a large river toy, so now you can find him aboard their 17′ Whaler somewhere along the Choptank on Jane’s days off. Jane also has two cats that she absolutely adores, Dave and Banjo. Jane enjoys spending time outside with her dog, fishing on their boat, cooking, gardening, and going to the Delaware beaches to visit family.
Jane has a strong interest in both large and small animal medicine as well as small animal surgery. She is beyond thrilled to be a part of the Veterinary Medical Center family and is looking forward to nurturing strong relationships with clients old and new for many years to come.
Elizabeth Bruce, VMD, DACVIM
Internal Medicine Specialist
About Dr. Bruce
Dr. Liz Bruce’s journey began in the charming landscapes of New Jersey, Nantucket, and Vermont, shaping her passion for animals from an early age. After graduating from the prestigious University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School in 1992, she honed her skills through an internship and residency at the University of Georgia. Since joining the VMC team in 1999, Dr. Bruce has made a lasting impact with her expertise.
Board certified in large animal internal medicine, she also boasts advanced training in small animal dentistry and pain management. But her true passion shines in gastroenterology, feline medicine, geriatric care, and hospice—though she admits any internal medicine challenge excites her. Among her many loves, one stands out: a deep fascination with ultrasounds, where she thrives in uncovering the hidden stories of her patients’ health.
Dr. Bruce led the VMC team as Medical Director for many years before stepping down to focus on mentoring and educating the next generation of veterinarians. Outside the clinic, she’s just as vibrant—whether she’s spending time with family (both the four-legged and two-legged members), gardening, painting, or diving into the ocean for a swim or kayak adventure.
For Dr. Bruce, veterinary medicine isn’t just a job—it’s a lifelong passion. And with her infectious enthusiasm, she’s in it for the long haul. As she always says, “If it isn’t fun, it’s not worth doing!”
Marissa Holfester, DVM
Veterinarian
About Dr. Holfester
I am originally from Long Island, NY. I have wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember. Every year in school, when we were asked what we wanted to be when we grew up, my first choice was always a veterinarian. Animals have always been an integral part of my life, so naturally, I fell into this role. My first pets were actually hermit crabs, and since then, my passion for animals has blossomed from a wish to a reality when I was accepted to veterinary school.
I graduated from Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine in Arizona. After graduation, I decided to continue my education by completing a small animal rotating internship at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. I have a special interest in soft tissue surgery and shelter medicine, and I love to volunteer at local HQHV clinics whenever I can. I have even participated in sterilization and rabies clinics in Africa!
I am a new resident of the Delmarva area, along with my fiancé Kevin, who is also a veterinarian! We have quite a menagerie of animals at home, including dogs, cats, horses, fish tanks, and a green cheek conure. I have an unhealthy obsession with Yorkies, and you can rest assured that if there is one around, you’ll find me sharing snuggles and treats in the treatment area!
Abigail Littleton, VMD
Veterinarian
About Dr. Littleton
Dr. Abigail Littleton was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. At three years of age, she proclaimed that she would become a veterinarian, after she rescued a chipmunk from her family cat. She determined that the chipmunk’s bite was indeed a “thank you,” and has dedicated her life to helping animals in need ever since. One could say she fashioned herself to be a “Dr. Doo-littleton.”
In 2018, Dr. Littleton graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Global Health. While she obtained her degree, she studied abroad in Korogwe, Tanzania, researching the effect of livestock presence on mosquito species variability. Her passion for global health continued into veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was the president of the school’s One Health Club during her second year. Two years later, in 2023, she obtained her VMD.
Dr. Littleton has already found a home in the Eastern shore, and is eager to explore the area on her long runs, as she trains for the 2023 Marine Corps Marathon. In addition to running, her favorite past times include spending time with her Great Dane, Schuyler (named after the Schuyler sisters from “Hamilton”), baking, singing, and painting pet portraits.
Dr. Littleton is excited to begin her career as a veterinarian at Veterinary Medical Center. Her interests include cardiology, neurology, reproduction, and even exotics. She looks forward to meeting you and your pets, and cannot wait to become a part of this wonderful community. Thank you for helping her achieve her life dream; taking care of your animals (maybe even chipmunks) as if they were her own.
Kathleen Maltby, DVM
Veterinarian
About Dr. Maltby
Dr. Kathleen Maltby is a senior small animal veterinarian who originally started on the western shore gaining 30+ years of experience in small and mixed animal practice as well as a tenure with NIH. She completed two equine internships prior to entering companion animal practice and continued her career in private practice in Prince George’s County Md prior to joining us on the Mid shore. She has been an internship mentor at Queen Anne County High School and taught in the Veterinary Assistant program at Chesapeake College.
Her primary focuses in practice are small animal general practice and has a special interest in behavior.
Dean Tyson, DVM
Veterinarian
About Dr. Tyson
I am one of those people who knew at the age of four that I wanted to be a veterinarian. It was not until many years later that I realized that it was much bigger than a desire or a wish, it was a calling. It is what I was put on this earth to do. I recognize that I was given the gift of communication and connection with animals, and am blessed to be able to apply the knowledge and skills that I have learned to have such a meaningful impact on the lives of animals. As a former owner of Veterinary Medical Center, I helped assemble an exceptionally talented and dedicated team that inspire and amaze me every day. What I know for sure is that I am living my authentic life, I have found my place, and that I am supposed to help people and their animals.
Dr. Tyson grew up on a dairy farm in northeastern Maryland. He attended the University of Maryland at College Park for undergraduate studies and graduated from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. He enjoys the challenges and rewards of veterinary practice and has a special interest in surgery. He joined the VMC team in 1996. He has a passion for gardening, historic restoration, and a variety of outdoor activities.
Patricia Ware, DVM
Veterinarian
About Dr. Ware
Dr. Ware has practiced veterinary medicine in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and, for almost the last 30 years, in Maryland, where she was born and raised. She has been a medical director and an owner of her own practice prior to joining VMC Easton as an associate in March of 2023, where she hopes to continue helping people and their pets for years to come. Dr. Ware’s special interests include dermatology, dentistry, internal medicine, and exotics. When she is not at work, Dr. Ware enjoys riding her gaited horses, playing with her crazy Vizslas, and talking to her Eclectus parrot. If she is not with her animals, she is out on a boat or traveling with her husband, often visiting her twin girls wherever the Navy and school may take them.
