Arizona Veterinary Internal Medicine Staff

Dr. Janet K. Bailey

Dr. Janet Bailey received her veterinary medical training at Kansas State University in 2002. Following a one-year internship program at VCA South Shore Animal Hospital, Dr. Bailey continued her training with a residency in small animal internal medicine at Louisiana State University. After the completion of her residency in July 2005, Dr. Bailey relocated to Phoenix to join Arizona Veterinary Internal Medicine. Within the field of internal medicine, she has particular interests in infectious diseases, respiratory diseases, gastroenterology, and endocrinology. Dr. Bailey is board-certified with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Dr. Bailey has presented and published several papers on a variety of topics within veterinary medicine. At Kansas State, she was the recipient of the Dr. Lewis A. & Norma J. Ball Award for Proficiency in Feline Medicine and the Dr. & Mrs. Nelson S. Mayo Award for excellence in Exotic Animal Medicine. Dr. Bailey is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association, the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Dr. Whit M.Church

Dr. Whit M. Church earned his DVM degree from Oregon State University in 2002. After graduation he completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at Cornell University. He then completed his cardiology residency at both the University of Illinois and the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Church is board-certified with the American College of Internal Medicine in cardiology and is available for cardiology referrals on a full-time basis. Dr. Church’s special areas of interest include pericardial diseases, echocardiography, and interventional cardiovascular procedures.

Dr. Church received a number of grants and awards which include: the ACVIM Cardiology Resident Research Grant, the University of Illinois Small Animal Departmental Research Grant, the Salsbury Scholarship, the Dr. Allan Hart Scholarship, and the AB Lewis Scholarship. Dr. Church is also a member of the Phi Zeta Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine and the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture.

Dr. Melissa Riensche

Dr. Melissa Riensche received her doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 2004. After graduation Dr. Riensche completed a one-year rotating internship at VCA Animal Referral and Emergency Center of Arizona. Dr. Riensche then continued her training in internal medicine with a residency at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. Following her residency, Dr. Riensche relocated to Phoenix to join the staff of Arizona Veterinary Internal Medicine. Within the field of internal medicine, she has particular interests in nephrology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, respiratory medicine, and endocrine diseases. Dr. Riensche is board-certified with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Dr. Riensche received a grant from the Winn Feline Foundation during her residency to study new treatments for cats with kidney failure. During her residency, Dr. Riensche was the recipient of the Otto Award for excellence in client communication, teaching, and compassion. At Iowa State, she was the recipient of the Omaha Emergency Scholarship for excellence in patient care, the College of Veterinary Medicine Award for scholastic excellence, and the Dr. Robert Mericle Scholarship for potential to succeed. Dr. Riensche is a member of the Gamma Sigma Delta agricultural honor society, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.




We are also fortunate to have a compassionate, experienced staff of veterinary technicians and receptionists as members of our professional health care team. Working closely with our doctors, their common goal is to provide exceptional care and service for you and your pet. We also strive to keep your family veterinarian informed of the results of your pet’s evaluation.