It Starts with Our People

Dr. Alex Marshall is a proud Toronto, Ontario native who brings a diverse background and a passion for leadership to the MVDH team. He earned a double major in Animal Physiology and Human Health and Disease from the University of Toronto in 2016, then graduated from St. Matthew's University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2021.

Dr. Marshall's connection to the Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital of Texas began in 2014, when he externed at Eagle Pass Veterinary Diagnostic and he has been part of the team ever since. What drew him to veterinary medicine was the profession's breadth: a veterinarian can be a surgeon, a diagnostician, an educator, and serve his community, sometimes all in the same week. His special interests are surgery and advanced imaging.

As a partner at MVDH, Dr. Marshall is most looking forward to leading and mentoring a group of young professionals dedicated to providing the Permian Basin with the best veterinary medicine possible.

Outside the hospital, he enjoys playing golf and cheering on his favorite hockey team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was recently married to his wife, Kelsi, in Greece in April 2026. At home, the couple shares life with a lively pack: Simba, a 9-year-old golden retriever and certified good boy; Poppy, a 3-year-old golden retriever and certified hurricane; Maggie, a 4-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix and certified firecracker; and the newest member of the tribe, Blue, a 6-month-old domestic shorthair who serves as their certified 4 a.m. alarm clock.

Dr. Kayla Jo Thompson, a native of Abilene, Texas, is driven by her love and curiosity of veterinary medicine. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a minor in Business from Texas A&M University, then began a Master of Biomedical Science there before being accepted to the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to her degrees, Dr. Thompson completed the VBMA Certificate of Business Management and spent two years in the Veterinary Research Scholar Program studying melanomas.

Her special interests are orthopedic surgery, neurology, internal medicine, and clinical research, areas where she can combine hands-on skill with scientific problem-solving.

As a continuous learner, Dr. Thompson looks forward to a lifetime of mastering her skills as a surgeon and diagnostician, and she brings that same curiosity to every case. She also loves mentoring students and helping them reach their goals, just as her own mentors helped her.

Outside the hospital, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, watching action/adventure and drama movies, and traveling. She and her husband, Collin, share their home with a menagerie of rescues. During her first year of vet school, Dr. Thompson's class toured the local animal shelter to learn about shelter medicine, and she came home with Honey, an orange cat who supported her all the way through school. They also share their home with Jaz, the family cat who surveys her domain from the top of the fridge, and Rue, a shelter dog who volunteered in the vet school labs.

A Hico, Texas native, Dr. Jake Vinson brings small-town roots and a deep commitment to community to the MVDH team. He graduated from the Honors College at Tarleton State University with Bachelor of Science degrees in Animal Science and Wildlife Conservation and Management, then earned his DVM from the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine. Between the two, he spent a year and a half as an anesthesia technician at the Texas A&M Small Animal Teaching Hospital.

He found his calling in high school, when a lifeless dog was brought to the Hico clinic where he worked. The veterinarian, with Dr. Vinson assisting, improvised a defibrillator and revived the dog. Seeing the owners' gratitude and awe, he knew veterinary medicine was where he belonged. Surgical cases are a favorite, since a pet can arrive with a problem and go home with much of it resolved that day. He also enjoys solving cases that are hard to diagnose but manageable once identified.

At MVDH, he looks forward to a diverse caseload, from wellness care to sick patients, backed by training and on-site diagnostics to tackle almost any problem.

Outside the hospital, he is a hands-on craftsman who enjoys carpentry and smelting aluminum, brass, and copper. He also loves camping, hiking, hunting, and shooting sports, and is active in his local church.

Dr. Vinson and his wife, Catherine, married in 2019 and welcomed their son, William, in 2025. Rounding out the family is Phoenix, a high-energy, brilliant 2-year-old husky mix who is expressive in every way a husky can be.

A Tulsa, Oklahoma native, Dr. Kayla Beach brings a heart for animals and the people who love them to the MVDH team. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Northeastern State University, then went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She is also certified in Low Stress Handling for small animals, helping make every visit as calm and comfortable as possible for MVDH patients.

Dr. Beach was drawn to veterinary medicine because it allows her to help people by helping their pets. She also loves how fun and varied the field is, with something new every day. She especially enjoys sharing her knowledge with clients so they feel confident when making decisions about their pets' care. Her special interests are surgery and ultrasound, two areas where she can make a real difference for MVDH patients.

At MVDH, she looks forward to making a positive impact on the community by providing the best possible care for every pet that comes through the door. She values the hospital's advanced diagnostic tools and the way the whole team works together to use them for every patient.

Outside the hospital, Dr. Beach enjoys hiking, working out, spending time with friends, attending church, and traveling whenever the opportunity arises. Something many people don't know: she spent a few years as a hip hop dancer, traveling the country to perform. At home, she shares her life with Winnie, her 10-year-old corgi mix.

An Edinburg, Texas native, Dr. Naila Garcia is excited to call West Texas her new home and to join the MVDH team. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, then earned her DVM from the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2026.

Dr. Garcia has always loved animals. At age five, she learned what a veterinarian was, and her mind was made up. Growing up, she dressed as a veterinarian every Halloween. Her first job was at a small animal clinic in Edinburg, Texas, and she couldn't imagine any other career.

At MVDH, she looks forward to building relationships with the community and getting to know the clients and their pets. As a bilingual veterinarian, she is especially happy to help Spanish-speaking clients feel right at home and understand every step of their pet's care. She is also excited to work alongside the hospital's doctors, technicians, and staff, a team from whom she has already learned so much.

Outside the hospital, Dr. Garcia enjoys watching movies, both old and new. She is also a huge Batman fan, whether it's the movies, shows, Lego sets, or comics. Although she's a Raider Vet alumna, she bleeds maroon as a diehard Aggie. Her 15-year-old Chihuahua, Leah, was by her side throughout her education and has accompanied her to the Permian Basin.