Derek is a Texan by birth, spending a large portion of his childhood in central New Mexico.
He earned a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. In 2013, Derek received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
He then went on to pursue a general rotating internship with Seattle Veterinary Specialists in Kirkland, WA. Immediately following this internship, Derek pursued a post-doctoral fellowship with the University of California Davis working in animal models of myocardial infarction and the associated myocardial remodeling which ensues.
After fellowship, Derek relocated to Denver, CO for residency training in Cardiology with Rocky Mountain Veterinary Cardiology. Derek completed his residency and was board certified in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2018.
His professional interests include minimally invasive cardiac interventions and chronic management of congestive heart failure.
In his free time, Derek enjoys cooking, as well as trying new and exotic foods and restaurants. He also has two canine companions and a horse with which he enjoys being outdoors on the trails and enjoying nature.
