Our Doctors

Dr. Chris Konvalinka received his B.S. in Biology from Guilford College in 1988 and his D.V.M. from NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992.

Dr. Chris Konvalinka began his career in Emergency Medicine in 1992, but has enjoyed having “normal” hours since joining BRVH in 2004. He, his wife Jennifer, and their twins live on ten acres in Bahama with several dogs, a cat, and chickens.

They love traveling, being active, and enjoying some of the great local restaurants our area has to offer.

Dr. Chris York graduated from NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. He completed his undergrad at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Dr. Chris York has been with BRVH since 1996. He enjoys small animal medicine and surgery and is particulary fond of playing a part in the bond between people and their pets.

He is passionate about college basketball and outdoor activities, but most of all spending quality time with his two daughters. 

Dr. Rachel Cocchiaro is a 2010 graduate of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She received her bachelor's degree in animal science from North Carolina State University in 2006.

Since graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Cocchiaro and her husband Mike, have lived and worked in Davis, California, Charleston, South Carolina and Austin, Texas. She enjoyed living in different places around the country, but is happy to be back home in North Carolina. Dr. Cocchiaro grew up in Durham and now lives with her family in Hillsborough. She enjoys running, working on her small hobby farm, visiting the numerous Carolina beaches, and spending time with her twins.

Dr. Cocchiaro has a special interest in dermatology, dentistry and internal medicine. She joined the Bahama Road Veterinary Hospital team in 2016.

Dr. Heidi Perreault is a 2007 graduate of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Heidi Perreault chose to become a veterinarian so she could work with animals and the people who love them. She enjoys all aspects of her job with particular interests in surgery, dentistry, endocrinology and senior patient care. Dr. Perreault is a local North Carolinian and she received her Bachelor of Science degree from NC State University, as well as her DVM. In addition to her schooling, she completed an internship in Small Animal Emergency Medicine and Surgery at Michigan Veterinary Specialists. She is a Barry Goldwater Scholar.
Dr. Perreault enjoys spending time with her family on their farm, endurance horse riding, hiking, camping and reading a good book. They have seven dogs (all rescues), three Orange Tabby cats, six Arabian horses, 300+ chickens, bees and other farm animals. Dr. Perreault joined our team in 2017.

Dr. Max Jones earned his doctorate from The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010 after obtaining his undergraduate education at The University of North Carolina - Asheville.

After graduation, he completed an internship at North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. Before joining our practice, Dr. Jones worked in both emergency and general practice settings in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee.

The mountains will always have a special place in his heart, but Dr. Jones is a Durham native, and decided to come back to the piedmont after starting a family. He lives with his wife, two young sons, and a faithful Golden Retriever here in North Durham.

Dr. Jones loves the variety of cases that we see, but has a special interest in emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging, wound management, and neurology. He joined Bahama Road Veterinary Hospital in 2019.

Dr. Cash joined our team in September 2022. Dr. Cash graduated from NCSUCollege of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. 

After graduation, she moved to Ohioto complete a rotating internship, where she fell in love with EmergencyMedicine. She followed this with an Internal Medicine internship, honing her skills with ultrasound and endoscopy. After enduring two Ohio winters, Dr.Cash returned to NC to enjoy a warmer climate and be closer to her family.

Dr. Cash lives in Durham with her husband Will. They have one daughter and a few fur babies as well. The family loves spending time hiking, camping, and climbing together. They also own a small business converting cargo vans into gorgeous tiny homes.

We are excited to announce that Dr. Read Tull will be joining our team on 1/2/2024! We know he will be a great addition to the BRVH family and can’t wait for you to meet him. Dr. Tull earned his veterinary degree from NC State in 2012, after also completing his undergraduate studies in biological science at NC State.  

After graduation from veterinary school, Dr. Tull completed a small animal internship and worked as an emergency veterinarian in his hometown of Charlotte. He then returned to the triangle area where he practiced in Raleigh for several years. Dr. Tull’s special interests include surgery and helping develop the human-animal bond between people and their pets.

Dr. Tull lives in Raleigh with his wife, their cat, and their German Shepherd. When he is not caring for his patients, he loves spending time cycling, cooking, and working in his garage to restore classic and race cars.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Laura Ellsaesser to the BVRH family! She has been working with us for about 1.5 years as a relief veterinarian and enjoyed it so much she decided to join the team. Dr. Ellsaesser is from Charlotte, NC, completed her undergraduate studies at Auburn University (War Eagle!) before coming home to North Carolina for veterinary school.

After graduation, Dr. Ellsaesser completed a small animal internship at Texas A&M. She then moved to southeast Virginia, where she practiced as an emergency and general practice veterinarian for several years before returning to the triangle area. Dr. Ellsaesser’s special interests include feline medicine, mobility and pain management, and care for geriatric pets.

Dr. Ellsaesser lives in Durham with her 2 senior cats. When she is not caring for her patients, she loves spending time outside, hiking or near the water, reading and going to live music or theater performances.

Dr. Skip Hevener graduated from NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 after completing his Master’s Degree in Physiology at NC State University and undergrad at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Dr. Skip Hevener joined the Bahama Road Veterinary Hospital group in 2001. He and his wife Ginny stay busy with their son, daughter, and their dog.

When he can find free time, he loves to fish and spend time outdoors.

Dr. Hevener retired at the end of 2023.