Meet Our Veterinary Team

Erika Lukas, Medical Director, DVM, Ph. D.

I am originally from Zurich, Switzerland, by way of Boston, MA. I have loved animals and nature for my entire life, which led me to study biology as an undergraduate. Veterinary Medicine is a second career; I worked at the University of Wisconsin’s McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, researching tumor growth in liver cancer before going back to school to study veterinary medicine at UW.

I have been practicing at Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital since 2007 and can’t imagine working elsewhere.  It has been a joy to watch our hospital and team evolve over the years and to experience wonderful relationships with our patients and clients.

I live in Madison with my husband, four daughters, and a menagerie of pets. Outside work, I have a passion for travel, lifelong learning, playing with my Golden Retrievers Bruno and Atlas, cycling, paddle sports, cooking, and creating art.

Clinical Areas of Interest

• Dentistry and oral surgery
• Medicine and surgery of exotic species
• Anesthesia of geriatric and complicated patients
• Pain management
• Oncology

Education

• B.A., Tufts University.  Major: Biology.
• Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison, Cellular and Molecular Biology
• DVM, University of Wisconsin, Madison School of Veterinary Medicine

Certifications

• Fear Free Certified
• Fear Free Certified – Avian 

Mary Schmidt

CVPM, CVT and Practice Manager

Mary Schmidt is a seasoned professional in the veterinary industry, bringing over 30 years of experience to her field. She became a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) in 1993, beginning a dedicated career focused on compassionate care and expertise in veterinary medicine. In 2010, Mary furthered her commitment by earning her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) designation, equipping her with specialized skills to effectively manage veterinary practices and support clinical teams.

Outside of work, Mary loves spending time outdoors camping, and is a passionate cook and baker. She shares her home with her loyal German Shepherd, Major, and an independent cat named Sage, who bring even more joy to her life. Mary’s blend of experience, dedication, and genuine love for animals makes her an invaluable asset to the veterinary community.

Jen Hanna Dupree

Associate Practice Manager

I am thrilled to step into the role of Associate Practice Manager of Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital and Waggin’ Tails Doggy Dude Ranch! I have a professional background in the veterinary industry dating back to 2004 as I have honed my skills earning an Associates degree in Veterinary Assisting and Marketing and Social Media management. I hold a Certified Pet Bereavement Specialist certification from from CANA (Cremation association of North America) as well as a WI state notary license. I am currently studying to earn my CVPM certification.

My professional interests include stellar customer service experiences every visit (for both patient and owner), charity event planning, and social media management as well as community outreach.

When I am not serving the veterinary community, you can find me singing with the Madison Symphony chorus, enjoying time with my husband Wes, daughter Avacynn, and our fur family – with cats Aloy, Scarlett Jo-Cattsen and Kimiko, and our dogs Linda (Italian Greyhound Mix) and Chuck E. Roast (Olde English Bulldogge).

Jacob Wolf, DVM, MPH

Dr. Jacob Wolf obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (2018) and Masters in Public Health (2017) degrees from UW-Madison. He attended St. John’s University in Minnesota and received a bachelor’s degree in biology. Dr. Wolf lives in Madison with his wife, Hannah, and his sons Louie, Hugh, and a third on the way. Dr. Wolf’s interests outside work include traveling, gardening, cheering on any Wisconsin sports (Packers, Bucks, Badgers, Brewers), and doing anything outside to enjoy the fresh air! “I am very excited to join Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital’s amazing team. I look forward to meeting and caring for all the incredible patients and clients here. I promise to treat your pet like my own and collaborate with you on your pet’s care plan. Veterinary medicine, client education, and strengthening the human-animal bond are my passions.”

Dr. Wolf joined Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital in October of 2019.

Kyle Babich, DVM

Dr. Kyle Babich graduated with his DVM from UW-Madison in May 2020. He attended UW-La Crosse for his undergraduate studies and received a Bachelor of Science. Before vet school, Dr. Babich worked as a veterinary assistant in a primary care veterinary hospital and a small animal emergency and specialty clinic. Dr. Babich lives in Madison with his girlfriend and two cats. Some interests outside of work include playing soccer and ultimate frisbee, spending time with family and friends, and supporting our Wisconsin sports teams. Dr. Babich looks forward to helping care for your many beloved pets and becoming a part of this community. His veterinary interests include preventative medicine, client education, surgery, and dentistry.

Alyssa White, DVM

Dr. Alyssa White graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. She has also earned her certificate in Fear Free Handling and strives to make every pet’s veterinary experience as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. She has special interests in behavior, preventive care, pain management, and hospice care.

Dr. White lives with her husband and daughter, her dogs Rosie and Harvey, and her cat Zuppa. She enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, and coaching gymnastics in her free time.

McKenna Larsh, DVM

Dr. McKenna Larsh graduated with her DVM and Fear-Free Certification from UW-Madison in May, 2024 after completing her undergraduate degree and receiving her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science at UW. Before and during veterinary school, McKenna worked as a technician in multiple hospitals that focused on primary care, urgent care and emergency services of small animals, in addition to volunteering at multiple animal shelters and completing several volunteer veterinary trips inside and outside the US. McKenna lives in a small, rural town outside of Spring Green, Wisconsin with her husband, dogs, cats and even chickens! Some of McKenna’s interests outside of work include reading, listening to music, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. McKenna is excited to promote collaborative veterinary medicine and build strong owner-pet-veterinarian relationships. McKenna’s interests include urgent care, complex case management and advancing access to care. She is very excited to be working at Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital and is looking forward to working with you and your pet on all of their veterinary needs!

Lauren Keith, DVM