Meet Our Team

Veterinarians

Susan Sikule, DVM

Owner

Dr. Sikule began Just Cats Veterinary Clinic in 1994, filling a niche in the community to care for feline patients in the capital district. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine, after completing her undergraduate at the University of Rochester. She has specific interests in internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, and holistic medicine including acupuncture.

Denise Petersen, DVM

Dr. Petersen received both her bachelor of Science degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. She owned and practiced feline and canine medicine in Saratoga Springs for several years. She also became experienced with raising and treating alpacas on her farm. Dr. Petersen is enjoying the advantages of an exclusive feline practice since joining Just Cats.

Theresa Tommell, DVM

Dr. Tommell has been affiliated with Just Cats since 2002. She began her work at Just Cats as an LVT. She received her Bachelors in Biology from Siena College and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University College of Veterinary Medicine with clinical study at Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine @Virginia Tech. She returns to us from serving as the Director of Shelter Veterinary Services at the Animal Protective Foundation in Scotia (October 2015 - March 2016).

Amy Bergin, DVM

Bio and photo coming soon!

Alexandra Fischer, DVM

Dr. Alexandra Fischer grew up on Long Island, NY, which is where she developed her passion for animals through riding horses. She attended the University of Vermont where she received her Bachelor’s of Science in 2019 before moving to St. Paul, MN to earn her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota in 2023. She joined the Just Cats team in 2024.

Her professional interests include internal medicine, geriatric care, preventative medicine, and surgery.

In her spare time she enjoys being active, skiing, travel, crafting (especially crochet), and spending time with the cat that started her love for feline medicine, named Danny DeVito.

Heidi Kim, DVM

Dr. Heidi Kim is originally from Los Angeles, California. She received her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of California, Berkeley, before moving to the East Coast to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. Her love for feline medicine began with her beloved late kitty, Mighty Mouse (pictured). The journey to uncover Mouse's diagnosis of mucolipidosis, a rare congenital disease, inspired her to pursue a career dedicated to the unique medical needs of cats and the people who love them.

Dr. Kim's professional interests include internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, and integrative approaches to pain management. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys knitting, crocheting, and tending to the shrimp and plants in her freshwater aquarium.

Taylor Huffman, DVM

Dr. Huffman is a born and raised midwesterner. Growing up in rural Indiana, she probably knew how to drive a tractor before she could form full sentences. Animals of all kinds were certainly the highlight of any event she frequented and from a young age she knew veterinary medicine was the path for her.

After completing her BS in animal science at Andrews University in Michigan, Dr. Huffman left behind the USA to complete her DVM at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts. Following vet school she began working in equine medicine which is what led her to NY state.

Ever since she was very small, cats have held a large part of her heart and she is very thrilled to be able to step into feline medicine. Part of why Dr. Huffman wanted to become a veterinarian is because this profession satisfies her perpetual curiosity. Veterinary medicine is inherently a learning career; there will always be something new to learn or a new development in treatment. Being a veterinarian allows her to constantly re-evaluate how to best help her patients and their owners!

In their spare time Taylor and her partner Dan love to travel, backpack/hike, read, scuba dive and spend time with friends and family (human and animal alike). Their own small menagerie consists of 5 cats (Merlin, Neville, Iroh, Salem, and Jaskier) and 1 dog (Persephone).

Administration

Missy Filarecki, CVPM, CFFP

Practice Manager

Missy joined the Just Cats team in November 2015. Missy achieved her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) designation and her Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CFFP) designation in 2022. She is also a Certified Cat Friendly Professional. Missy won the Emerging Leader of the Year award for 2021-2022 through the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA). She served on the VHMA’s Ethics Committee from 2022-2024, and is currently Chair of VHMA’s DEIB Committee.