Meet Our Veterinary Team

Meet the veterinarians and team at Pet Medical Center. We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets.

Get to Know Our Team

We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care. We look forward to getting to know you, and we hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.

Our Veterinarians

Dr. Amy Nickels
Amy Rogers Nickels

DVM

Dr. Nickels is a Manchester native. She attended the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with her DVM in 1990. After practicing in Johnson City, TN for eight years, she and her husband Bill, decided to move back to Manchester with their two children, Will and Anna. Dr. Nickels practiced part-time for several years after their third child, Cooper, was born. She opened Pet Medical Center in September of 2004. Her husband owns Bill Nickels’ Insurance in Manchester. Her son Will graduated from Appalachian State University in North Carolina and now owns a local business with his wife, Kristin. Their precious son was born in February 2023. Her daughter Anna welcomed an adorable baby girl in January 2020 with her husband Daniel. Their youngest son Cooper graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg in 2021 and now lives in Jersey City and is a project manager for a set design company.

Dr. Alicia Gray
Alicia Gray

DVM

Dr. Alicia Gray is a 2007 graduate of The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She currently lives in Lynchburg with her husband Daniel and their two sons and daughter. Growing up and currently living on a farm, Dr. Gray loves all animals. She especially enjoys small animal medicine. Dr. Gray is excited and ready to meet you and your furry family!

Dr. Jennifer Gesell
Jennifer Gesell

DVM

Dr. Jennifer Gesell is originally from Manchester, Tennessee where she lives with her husband, Michael, and their 5 cats: Tweak, Tucker, Beans, Tater, and Tripp. She completed her undergraduate degree in Animal Science at Middle Tennessee State University and then attended the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine where she received her Doctorate. She then completed a rotating small animal internship at Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergency and Referrals (RIVER) in Chattanooga, Tennessee where she concentrated her studies in emergency medicine, internal medicine, and surgery. Dr. Gesell enjoys emergency and critical care and soft tissue surgery. In her spare time, she loves any form of dancing, going to concerts, cheering on our Nashville Predators, and spending time with friends and family.

Dr. MaKenzie McCord
Makenzie McCord

DVM

Dr. Makenzie McCord is originally from Winchester, TN. She received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 2014 and her DVM in 2018, both from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Dr. McCord’s professional interests include pain management and preventative medicine, and she’s also an acupuncturist! She completed her training at Chi University in Reddick, Florida in 2020. She enjoys improving all pets’ quality of life with an integrative approach. Outside of work, Dr. McCord enjoys going out on Tim’s Ford Lake and wake surfing. She also enjoys reading and spending time with her friends and family. She and her husband, Davis, live in Tullahoma with their 2 basset hounds, Hattie & Franklin, and 1 mischievous cat, Georgia!

Veterinary Assistants

Ashley Jernigan- Lead Vet Assistant
Ashley Jernigan

Lead Veterinary Assistant

Ashley grew up in Manchester and joined Pet Medical Center in June of 2005. Ashley is currently studying to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She has a wonderful daughter, Briley, who was born in June 2010. Her pet family includes Tinker, a minature Schnauzer. She enjoys working with all species of animals. Ashley is a huge sports fan and is the coach for her daughter’s traveling softball team.

Shelby Grissom
Shelby Grissom

Veterinary Assistant

Shelby grew up in a small, rural town in West Tennessee called Puryear. She graduated from Murray State University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology and is currently studying to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician! Shelby joined the Pet Medical Center team in February of 2020. She and her husband, Andy, currently reside in Hillsboro with their sons, Titus, who was born in January of 2022, and Miles, who was born in October of 2023. Their furbabies include a German shepherd, Zeke, an Australian husky, Zorro, and a Corgi named Buster. She comes to work every day prepared and excited to do what she loves, help and care for animals!

Chelsea Amis
Chelsea Amis

Veterinary Assistant

Chelsea started working for the Pet Medical team in May of 2015, Since her start, she married her husband, Nick, in October of 2015, then gave birth to their son Blanton in May of 2017, and their daughter Caraleigh in December of 2019! Chelsea grew up in Manchester, where she and her husband purchased their first home. Her fur babies include a golden retriever, Lady, two poodles, Daisy and Lilah, and horses! She comes to work to do exactly what she loves, help animals!

Ashley Jernigan- Lead Vet Assistant
Ashley Jernigan

Lead Veterinary Assistant

Ashley grew up in Manchester and joined Pet Medical Center in June of 2005. Ashley is currently studying to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She has a wonderful daughter, Briley, who was born in June 2010. Her pet family includes Tinker, a minature Schnauzer. She enjoys working with all species of animals. Ashley is a huge sports fan and is the coach for her daughter’s traveling softball team.

Shelby Grissom
Shelby Grissom

Veterinary Assistant

Shelby grew up in a small, rural town in West Tennessee called Puryear. She graduated from Murray State University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology and is currently studying to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician! Shelby joined the Pet Medical Center team in February of 2020. She and her husband, Andy, currently reside in Hillsboro with their sons, Titus, who was born in January of 2022, and Miles, who was born in October of 2023. Their furbabies include a German shepherd, Zeke, an Australian husky, Zorro, and a Corgi named Buster. She comes to work every day prepared and excited to do what she loves, help and care for animals!

Chelsea Amis
Chelsea Amis

Veterinary Assistant

Chelsea started working for the Pet Medical team in May of 2015, Since her start, she married her husband, Nick, in October of 2015, then gave birth to their son Blanton in May of 2017, and their daughter Caraleigh in December of 2019! Chelsea grew up in Manchester, where she and her husband purchased their first home. Her fur babies include a golden retriever, Lady, two poodles, Daisy and Lilah, and horses! She comes to work to do exactly what she loves, help animals!

Christa Minor- Vet Assistant
Christa Minor
Veterinary Assistant

Christa is our resident cat enthusiast and started working for Pet Medical Center in April of 2019. She grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania and has lived in Tennessee since 2014. Christa married her husband Richie in October of 2019 and now has 5 beautiful step-children and 4 cats, Nova, Tycho, Loki, and Umbry. She is ecstatic to be back in the veterinary field helping and supporting families and their fur babies every day!

Christa Minor- Vet Assistant
Christa Minor
Veterinary Assistant

Christa is our resident cat enthusiast and started working for Pet Medical Center in April of 2019. She grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania and has lived in Tennessee since 2014. Christa married her husband Richie in October of 2019 and now has 5 beautiful step-children and 4 cats, Nova, Tycho, Loki, and Umbry. She is ecstatic to be back in the veterinary field helping and supporting families and their fur babies every day!

Taylor Minor- Vet Assistant
Taylor Minor

Veterinary Assistant

Born in Albertville, Alabama, Taylor has always dreamed about growing up helping animals in any way possible. She moved to Tennessee in 2006 where she grew up around dogs, cats, and chickens. She was finally able to live out her dream in 2017-2021 when she became an Animal Control Attendant/Animal Control Officer in Tullahoma. She then wanted to expand her knowledge and joined Pet Medical Center in October 2021. She currently has 4 dogs, 1 cat, and several chickens, who ensure her life is never boring. Taylor is honored and excited to be part of the Pet Medical Center team and to be able to continue helping all our four-legged fur babies!

Rachel Brown- Vet Assistant
Rachel Brown

Veterinary Assistant

Rachel has been working in the veterinary field since 2008! She and her husband JC are brand new to Tennessee, moving from Seattle, Washington in July of 2023. They’ve started their very first hobby farm right outside of Tullahoma. Rachel’s farm is home to 3 dogs, 2 horses, and 6 chickens. They’ve easily adjusted to Southern living, and absolutely love how friendly and warm everyone is!

Taylor Minor- Vet Assistant
Taylor Minor

Veterinary Assistant

Born in Albertville, Alabama, Taylor has always dreamed about growing up helping animals in any way possible. She moved to Tennessee in 2006 where she grew up around dogs, cats, and chickens. She was finally able to live out her dream in 2017-2021 when she became an Animal Control Attendant/Animal Control Officer in Tullahoma. She then wanted to expand her knowledge and joined Pet Medical Center in October 2021. She currently has 4 dogs, 1 cat, and several chickens, who ensure her life is never boring. Taylor is honored and excited to be part of the Pet Medical Center team and to be able to continue helping all our four-legged fur babies!

Rachel Brown- Vet Assistant
Rachel Brown

Veterinary Assistant

Rachel has been working in the veterinary field since 2008! She and her husband JC are brand new to Tennessee, moving from Seattle, Washington in July of 2023. They’ve started their very first hobby farm right outside of Tullahoma. Rachel’s farm is home to 3 dogs, 2 horses, and 6 chickens. They’ve easily adjusted to Southern living, and absolutely love how friendly and warm everyone is!

Client Service Representatives

Gina Maxwell Moore
Gina Maxwell Moore

Practice Manager

Gina is a McMinnville, Tennessee native who moved to Decherd with her husband, Ron. They were married in October of 2021! She attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Nutrition. She has been working in the field of veterinary medicine for over 30 years as a receptionist, veterinary assistant, and as an office manager. In August 2008 she joined Pet Medical Center as office manager after having worked with Dr. Nickels 20 years earlier in McMinnville. Her pet family includes Winston, a blue heeler mix, and two Yorkies, Paris and Putter. She enjoys listening to music and playing the flute. She is also an AVID golfer.

Jess Cohen Johnson- Lead CSR
Jess Cohen Johnson

Lead CSR

Jess grew up in Schererville, Indiana which is about 40 minutes outside of Chicago. She moved to Manchester in June of 2014 and joined the Pet Medical Center team a month later. Jess is currently enrolled at Motlow with plans on transferring to MTSU in 2024. Ever the animal lover, her fur family includes 2 rescued mixed breeds named Palmer and Lundy, and a very fluffy cat named Eagle. Jess and her husband Joey were married in 2022; they met in the lobby of Pet Medical! In their spare time, they love to travel, kayak, play disc golf, and go to Costco!

Courtney Crowell CSR
Courtney Crowell

CSR

Courtney is a North Carolina native brought here by her spouse’s assignment to Arnold Air Force Base. Having previously worked at a mixed animal hospital that saw livestock, small animals, and exotics, she is elated to have found her place at Pet Medical Center! Courtney graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Science from Wayne Community College with plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in event planning. In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking, camping, video games, comic books, concerts, and is a well-seasoned Dungeons and Dragons player!

Gina Maxwell Moore
Gina Maxwell Moore

Practice Manager

Gina is a McMinnville, Tennessee native who moved to Decherd with her husband, Ron. They were married in October of 2021! She attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Nutrition. She has been working in the field of veterinary medicine for over 30 years as a receptionist, veterinary assistant, and as an office manager. In August 2008 she joined Pet Medical Center as office manager after having worked with Dr. Nickels 20 years earlier in McMinnville. Her pet family includes Winston, a blue heeler mix, and two Yorkies, Paris and Putter. She enjoys listening to music and playing the flute. She is also an AVID golfer.

Jess Cohen Johnson- Lead CSR
Jess Cohen Johnson

Lead CSR

Jess grew up in Schererville, Indiana which is about 40 minutes outside of Chicago. She moved to Manchester in June of 2014 and joined the Pet Medical Center team a month later. Jess is currently enrolled at Motlow with plans on transferring to MTSU in 2024. Ever the animal lover, her fur family includes 2 rescued mixed breeds named Palmer and Lundy, and a very fluffy cat named Eagle. Jess and her husband Joey were married in 2022; they met in the lobby of Pet Medical! In their spare time, they love to travel, kayak, play disc golf, and go to Costco!

Courtney Crowell CSR
Courtney Crowell

CSR

Courtney is a North Carolina native brought here by her spouse’s assignment to Arnold Air Force Base. Having previously worked at a mixed animal hospital that saw livestock, small animals, and exotics, she is elated to have found her place at Pet Medical Center! Courtney graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Science from Wayne Community College with plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in event planning. In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking, camping, video games, comic books, concerts, and is a well-seasoned Dungeons and Dragons player!