Synergy Virtual Specialists

Samantha Vitale

DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

Samantha Vitale graduated from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. She completed a small animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia, then completed a specialty internship and residency in Neurology and Neurosurgery at the University of Illinois.

While training in the fairly rural Southeast and Midwest, Samantha recognized that the need to travel to access specialty care provided a hardship for many of her clients and patients. This grew into a passion for extending the reach of specialty care outside of the four walls of large urban hospitals.

Samantha worked for two years as a neurologist in private practice, before starting Stratocyte, a veterinary teleconsulting marketplace.

Ryan Gibson

DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

Ryan Gibson is a veterinary neurologist interested in veterinary education and working with students and practicing veterinarians to improve general practice care of neurological patients. Dr. Gibson teaches at Auburn University, focusing on foundational neuroscience, neurology, and microanatomy. He also provides vet-to-vet consultations for veterinarians with neurological patients who cannot be referred through multiple platforms for geographical or financial considerations. Dr. Gibson works with researchers at Auburn University to explore new compounds to treat neuropathic pain, chronic pain, and neuroinflammatory conditions. He founded Neuroscience Educators and Researchers in One Health (N.E.R.O.H), a multi-institutional collaborative effort to bring experts in basic and biomedical research, clinical medicine, and public health into one location for collaboration, educational experiences, and discussions through a One Health/translational medicine lens. Dr. Gibson also founded Pet Parent Educators, a client education platform aimed at supporting pet parents whose pets have been diagnosed with chronic conditions and working to facilitate strong relationships with their pets and the local veterinary team! Within his first year at Auburn University, Dr. Gibson was selected by the student body for the highest teaching award within the College, the Zoetis Teaching Award, highlighting his dedication to demystifying veterinary neurology and improving practitioner comfort in caring for neurological patients.

Brittany Ciepluch

DVM, DACVS, Fellow of Surgical Oncology (Surgery)

Dr. Ciepluch is a veterinary surgical oncologist at Virginia Tech. She trained at Ohio State for vet school, University of Florida for internship, Texas A&M for surgery residency, and Colorado State University for surgical oncology fellowship. There she learned more about how effective interprofessional interactions can lead to the best patient care. Her career has led to a variety of roles. She spent a year in full time freelance locum work, where she explored the variability of speciality and general practice. She has leadership roles in her current full time job and she is passionate about bringing high-level veterinary care to pets of clients who cannot make it to a referral hospital. She spends her free time hiking, camping, doing yoga and mountain biking.

Dr. Britt Carr Benson

DVM, DACVSMR (Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation)

Dr. Britt Carr Benson is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. She attended the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. After earning her DVM, Dr. Carr Benson completed a small animal rotating internship at the Animal Specialty Group in Los Angeles, California followed by a small animal surgery and sports medicine internship at Veterinary Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Group (VOSM) in Maryland. She then remained at VOSM to complete a residency in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation. During her residency Dr. Carr Benson attended the Canine Rehabilitation Institute and is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. She has co-authored dozens of peer-reviewed publications and several textbook chapters. She is a national speaker and instructor and currently practices in the upstate of South Carolina.