Meet the Team
Hospital Manager
Yahiltza Hernandez
Yahiltza Hernandez brings a little bit of "The Valley" magic to Midland. Born and raised in Rio Grande City, this bilingual powerhouse is currently working toward her marketing degree at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, knowledge she puts to work every single day.
Yahiltza joined Big Spring Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital in 2023 as a Client Relations Specialist, and she didn't just learn the role, she mastered it. Now she's bringing that same drive to Midland Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital as Hospital Manager, ready to take on the fast pace (and the occasional pressure) that comes with keeping a hospital running smoothly for the animals of Midland.
Ask Yahiltza why she does this work, and she'll tell you it comes down to empathy. Animals can't speak for themselves, so she believes it's the hospital's job to advocate for them, a philosophy that shapes everything from how she manages the front desk to how she leads her team.
A self-described dog person who's slowly (very slowly) learning to love cats, Yahiltza shares her life with Tulip, a dog who is somehow five dogs in one. Tulip isn't exactly a fan of other dogs or people, but when it comes to Yahiltza, it's true love.
When she's off the clock, you'll find Yahiltza curled up with a good book or a movie and she means any movie. She firmly believes even the most boring film deserves a chance, because "you never know when the ending might surprise you!"
Client Relations Specialist
Ashley Chambers
Ashley is a Midland native and Lee High School graduate. She became a Certified Medical Assistant in 2010, an experience that translates naturally into veterinary medicine and connecting with people.
As a Client Relations Specialist, Ashley gets to do just that. She thrives on the variety her job brings, saying there's nothing better than keeping her mind busy and stimulated. She's often the first to take on the tasks other people might shy away from — whether a job takes her a couple of minutes or a full day, Ashley meets it with the same enthusiasm. Looking ahead, Ashley is excited to help uphold the gold standard Veterinary Diagnostic Hospitals of Texas has already set. Her personable, outgoing nature helps clients feel welcomed and at home from the moment they walk through the door until they leave.
At home, Ashley shares her life with 8 cats and 1 dog. Her dog, Odie, a 70-pound Heeler-Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, found his forever home with Ashley's family after bouncing through three previous homes. Her cats are all rescues or fosters-turned-permanent, especially Garfield, her oldest, found alone under a car in the cold at just six weeks old.
Outside of work, Ashley is a proud homebody who loves nothing more than cooking for the people she loves and gathering family and friends around her table. She's also a kid at heart, with a soft spot for old-school games like Pac-Man and Super Mario.
Lead Veterinary Technician
Alenna Sarmiento
Alenna "Lenna" Sarmiento is exactly what she describes herself as: a ray of sunshine, especially with coffee in hand. A Big Spring native and Big Spring High School graduate, Lenna brings a bright, high-energy spirit to her role as Lead Veterinary Technician — because she firmly believes energy tells a story, and she's determined to make hers a good one.
Lenna started at BVDH as a Veterinary Technician, and because she is dedicated and hardworking, she was asked to be MVDH's Lead Veterinary Technician. Demonstrating that she is a continuous learner, Lenna is already looking ahead to what's next — she's considering a degree or career path in management as she keeps growing in her field.
At MVDH, what Lenna is most excited about is continuing the legacy. Being part of bringing the culture of Veterinary Diagnostic Hospitals of Texas to a brand-new community is something she takes real pride in. It's a sentiment made even more personal by her puppy, Oasis, a gift from one of her fellow technicians at BVDH, who told her: "It's like you are taking a small piece of us with you to help guide you — and remember, we are always a family."
Outside the hospital, Lenna is happiest near the water — fishing, stargazing, or simply getting into any body of water she can find.
Veterinary Technician
Alexis Reyna
Alexis Reyna is coming home. A born-and-raised Midland local and Midland High School graduate, Alexis earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas Tech University and now she's thrilled to plant her first professional roots in the veterinary world right here in her hometown as a Client Relations Specialist.
Alexis's hands-on animal experience runs deep. During her time in Lubbock, she volunteered at an animal rehabilitation center, where she got up close and personal with all kinds of species including birds of prey. That experience only deepened her love for animals of every shape, size, and species.
At home, Alexis keeps things interesting with an unlikely duo: her cat, Milo, and her crested gecko, Echo. But her true animal obsession lives in the ocean, Alexis is a self-proclaimed shark enthusiast who hopes to get her scuba certification one day so she can see her favorite creatures up close in their natural habitat.
Whether she's greeting clients, answering phones, filling prescriptions, or educating a first-time pet owner, Alexis brings the same curiosity and care to MVDH that led her to birds of prey and biology labs alike and she couldn't be more excited to build her career in the community that raised her.
Veterinary Technician
Brianna Mims
Brianna "Bri" Mims has known she wanted to work with animals since the 5th grade and she's been proving it ever since. A Coahoma High School graduate with an Associate's in Biology from Howard College, Bri started her very first job at just 16 years old at Big Spring Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital, and she's been growing her veterinary know-how there ever since. Proving her passion for veterinary medicine, Bri has earned her Level 3 Certified Veterinary Assistant certification through the Texas Veterinary Medical Association.
Having grown up surrounded by animals (and rescuing more than a few along the way), Bri brings a lifetime of hands-on experience to her work as a Veterinary Technician. She's especially passionate about the hospital's on-site imaging department, where she gets a front-row seat to how modern diagnostics help uncover what's really going on with a patient.
As a founding member of the MVDH team, Bri is thrilled to bring her BVDH experience to Midland and show clients the level of care that sets Veterinary Diagnostic Hospitals of Texas apart. But ask her what she's most excited about, and she'll tell you it's the people, she's looking forward to getting to know her new coworkers and share what she's learned along the way.
Outside the hospital, you'll find Bri with her headphones in, planning her next adventure — she loves exploring Texas and beyond, one road trip at a time.
Veterinary Technician
Steffani Wood
Steffani Wood has spent her career doing what she loves most: helping the people who help the animals. A Livingston, Texas native and 2002 graduate of Livingston High School, Steffani got her start in veterinary medicine in 2015 as an assistant, cross-training as a receptionist along the way — and she's never looked back. Her love for animals, and her drive to give them a voice, has kept her rooted in vet med ever since.
Steffani brings more to the team than hands-on veterinary experience. She holds a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources, graduating summa cum laude in 2023, and she's currently working toward her certification as a Pharmacy Technician — proof that she's always building new skills to better serve her team and her patients.
Steffani fits right into the VDH of Texas culture as a true continuous learner. In her own words: "I'm addicted to information that improves life for people and pets," a mindset that fits perfectly with the VDH of Texas slogan, "Making Texas a Better Place for Pets & People." Her motto says it all: "Failure is not the opposite of success. It's a stepping stone to success" (Bill George).
At home, Steffani's love for animals extends well beyond the hospital — she shares her life with 5 dogs and 6 cats, ranging from her 13-year-old Great Pyrenees to a 2-to-3-year-old rescued chihuahua mix.
Veterinary Technician
Taylor Ramos
Taylor Ramos has always been a natural caregiver, someone who finds purpose in bringing comfort to those who need it most. A Midland native and Lee High School graduate, Taylor spent two years at Midland College building her foundation before working as a Certified Nurse Aide, an experience that sharpened her hands-on medical skills and confirmed what she already knew: she loves caring for patients, whether they walk on two legs or four.
For Taylor, veterinary medicine is personal. She sees pets as family members who deserve the same high-quality care as anyone else, and that belief drives her passion for speaking up on their behalf. There's nothing more rewarding to her than watching a patient heal and helping them feel safe along the way. As she builds her career at MVDH, Taylor is especially excited to build relationships with clients and to develop a special interest in surgical procedures and dentistry, all while learning alongside a team she describes as truly dedicated.
At home, Taylor's world revolves around her three dogs: Journey, a 5-year-old husky-shepherd mix who never stops "talking" to her; a 5-year-old husky who lives for snuggles and treats; and a 1-year-old Australian Kelpie-husky mix who's full of energy and never far from her side.
Outside the hospital, Taylor recharges through travel, time in nature, reading, yoga, and baking — and she's almost always got music playing in the background, no matter what she's doing.
