Our Team

Carolina Lopez, DVM, Dip. ACVIM

Born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, Carolina Lopez grew up riding jumpers and dressage horses. She went on to earn her Veterinary degree at La Salle University in Colombia and pursue her interest in equine internal medicine and ophthalmology. A former Alamo Pintado Equine intern, Carolina has returned to serve our patients after earning her master's degree and completing her residency. With a special interest in teaching, Dr.Lopez looks forward to mentoring interns and externs classes at Alamo Pintado and to providing clients with thoughtful continuing education. In her spare time Carolina enjoys any outdoor sport, especially cycling and hiking with the company of her beloved miniature American Shepherd, Feliz.

Mariah Kerr, DVM

Dr. Mariah Kerr started riding horses at the age of five. She was part of the Arizona High School Rodeo Association and National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. She received her BS in Agribusiness from Arizona State University.  She received her DVM from Colorado State University. Dr. Kerr has a special interest in podiatry and has previously been published on the topic with a second publication currently in the works. She has also spoken nationally on the subject, delivering a talk on “Evaluating and Balancing the Distal Limb Using Specific Anatomical and Radiographic Parameters” at the national conference of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. She loves spending time at the gym and applying her knowledge of physiology to her profession.

Natalia Uson, DVM

Natalia grew up surrounded by the equine culture of San Sebastian, Spain where she was introduced to the veterinary profession at an early age through the guidance of her father, Diego, also a veterinarian.  Natalia’s father and her aunt were both interns at Alamo Pintado in 1988 and 1989 respectively.  Having graduated from veterinary school at the Complutense University of Madrid Natalia has returned to the SYV where she was born 25 years ago.  In fact, when visiting Alamo Pintado in 2017, she told Dr. Doug Herthel that she would be back in a few years. Making good on that promise, Natalia has joined this year’s intern class and is excited to gain valuable experience. With showjumping and Thoroughbred racing as her favorite disciplines, she is also working to complete her Masters in Equine Sports Medicine. 
Apart from veterinary medicine she looks forward to time with family and friends and enjoys reading, horseback riding, tennis, and going to the beach with her Jack Russel, Piccola.

Cassidy Scatena, DVM

Dr. Scatena’s passion for veterinary medicine began at a young age on her family’s cattle ranch in Yerington, Nevada. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she managed the Oppenheimer Equine Unit. There, she gained hands-on experience in breeding and foaling out mares, halter breaking colts, starting young horses under saddle, and working closely with the university’s veterinarians. She went on to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University, where she served as an officer in the Equine Practitioners Club and was actively involved in organizing and assisting with wet labs and other hands-on learning opportunities. Dr. Scatena is thrilled to be at Alamo Pintado and is greatly looking forward to learning from its exceptional team of veterinarians.

Park Phillips, DVM

Dr. Park Phillips is originally from Madisonville, Texas, where he grew up riding and showing western performance horses. It was through those experiences—and the mentorship of dedicated equine veterinarians—that he discovered a passion for veterinary medicine and a commitment to the care and performance of horses.He earned both his undergraduate degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University. With broad interests across equine medicine, Dr. Phillips is especially drawn to sports medicine and surgery. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Phillips enjoys spending time outdoors, snowboarding, fishing, and golfing. 

Fred Holcomb, DVM

Born and raised in northern Virginia, Fred attended Davidson College in North Carolina where he studied psychology and neuroscience and completed a thesis on equine cognition. After graduation, he attended farrier school in Bozeman, Montana and spent time in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Washington and Texas as first a colt starter and later a full time horse shoer. A lifelong horse enthusiast, Fred’s deep interest in equine biomechanics and his desire to better understand the horse led him to pursue a doctorate in veterinary medicine at Texas A&M. He is passionate about advancing his work in podiatry and hopes to pursue a surgical residency following his internship. In his free time Fred enjoys team roping and eating Texas brisket. 

Florencia Saravia, DVM

Florencia is a veterinarian from Argentina whose passion for horses began at a very young age, inspired by her grandmother, a dedicated breeder of Arabian horses. Throughout her childhood and teenage years, she remained closely connected to horses, practicing show jumping and playing polo. She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Buenos Aires, focusing her studies on equine sports medicine and reproductive health. Following graduation, she worked at a leading polo horse embryo transfer center, where she gained extensive experience in foal care and reproductive management. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities, with hiking and camping among her favorite summer pastimes. Florencia is thrilled to join the internship program at Alamo Pintado, eager to learn from and share knowledge with its exceptional team of veterinarians.

Alexis Diaz, DVM

Dr. Alexis Diaz grew up in Miami, Florida, where she was introduced to veterinary medicine early on by her parents, who are both veterinarians. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Microbiology, as well as her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida. Dr. Diaz has been riding horses for as long as she can remember, but her interest in equine sports medicine and surgery really took off after rehabbing her own horse from a serious injury. What was supposed to be the end of his career turned into a comeback, and together they went on to qualify for the NBHA World Finals. That experience sparked a passion for helping other equine athletes return to what they do best. While in vet school, Dr. Diaz continued barrel racing and was involved in research focused on exercise physiology. Outside the hospital, Dr. Diaz enjoys staying active at the gym, cooking, traveling whenever she gets the chance, and spending time with her horse—who continues to keep her grounded in the “why” behind her work. She’s excited to be part of the team at Alamo Pintado and to learn alongside such a dedicated group of clinicians.

CLINIC OPERATIONS

Ky Mortensen, JD, MBA

A Colorado native, Ky serves as Chief Operating Officer to the Alamo Pintado team.  He holds an equine science degree from Colorado State University, an MBA from Louisiana State University, and a law degree from Southern University Law Center. Ky began his career in the veterinary industry with the American Association of Equine Practitioners followed by an appointment with the Equine Health Studies Program at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to joining the team at Alamo Pintado, he oversaw Texas based veterinary practice management firm, Inova Partners, working with equine veterinary practices nationwide to help them achieve their business goals. He and his wife Victoria, along with their sons Beck and Jett, now make their home in the Santa Ynez Valley.