Our Team
Meet our amazing team at Hudson Veterinary Hospital and why we love what we do so much. Click on our images to learn more about us!
Veterinarian
Dr. Kevin Hudson
About Dr. Hudson
Veterinarian
Kevin Hudson, D.V.M., M.S.
Dr. Hudson had wanted to be a veterinarian since he received his first otoscope when he was 3 years old. He received the Outstanding Graduate Student award in the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998 and graduated with Honors from Texas A&M University in 2001. He has practiced in Houston, Texas, as well as the Upstate, Lowcountry, and Midlands of South Carolina. Although he has practiced on a variety of animals, including small and large animals, he has focused on dogs, cats, and pocket pets since 2004. He has 4 children, a crew of 2 cats, and 2 French Bulldogs. Dr. Hudson and his family are thrilled to bring high-quality veterinary care to the Sumter community and surrounding areas.
Veterinarian
Dr. Jennifer Chilupe
About Dr. Chilupe
Veterinarian
Jennifer Chilupe, D.V.M.
Dr. Chilupe was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated Cum Laude from the Honors Program at Messiah University in 2018, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. During her time at Messiah University, she developed her love for animals and made the decision to become a veterinarian. She attended The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2023 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. During her time as a student, she gained additional experience in Small Animal Orthopedics, Emergency, and Critical Care medicine. Dr. Chilupe has also previously worked with marine wildlife and laboratory animals, but currently focuses on dogs, cats, and exotics. She is recently married with one fur baby at home, a cat named Gabriella. She enjoys doing crossfit, figure skating, outdoor activities, and church activities in her spare time. Dr. Chilupe is excited to be part of the veterinary team at Hudson Veterinary Hospital and serve nearby communities!
Veterinarian
Dr. Tessa Burgess
About Burgess
Veterinarian
Tessa Burgess, D.V.M.
War Eagle! Dr. Tessa Burgess is from Aiken, South Carolina, but has spent the last 9 years in Alabama for school. She started out at Auburn University for her BS in Animal Sciences (2020), stayed at Auburn for an additional year starting a Master of Agriculture program until she was accepted in vet school, and graduated from Tuskegee University’s College of Veterinary Medicine this past May. Among her years living in Auburn, she has acquired several pets: Thor (bearded dragon), Loki (leopard gecko), Tiger (one of her junior surgery feline patients in vet school), and most recently, Irina, a ~10-week-old kitten that showed up under her husband’s grill 6 days after her vet school graduation. Speaking of, she recently married her husband Daniel, and her entire family loves hanging out at home. When she’s not working or playing/snuggling with her 4-legged babies, she loves to read, bake, kayak, visit the Big Mo, and play on the computer with her husband.
Practice Manager
Kristen Pierce
About Kristen
Practice Manager
Kristen Pierce
Kristen is new to South Carolina as our Practice Manager. Her husband is Active Duty Military and they recently moved from Texas. She has been in the Veterinary industry since 2010. She started out as a receptionist, transitioned to Veterinary Technician, and has been a Practice Manager for the last few years of her career. Her family owns a Golden Retriever and a Bearded Dragon. She spends her free time with her husband and twin boys usually watching hockey, fishing, or traveling!
Veterinary Medical Staff
Jessica Williams
About Jessica
Surgical Technician
Jessica Williams
If you’re looking for Jessica, chances are she’s in our surgical suite. Jessica has been our surgical technician here at HVH since 2013. She has been in veterinary medicine for close to 10 years and strives daily to expand her knowledge. Jessica’s main interests are surgery, anesthesia, and pain management. When Jessica clocks out, don’t be surprised if you find her in the gym, on the river, in the deer stand, or out horseback riding. Jessica grew up with a menagerie of animals on a farm and still has several she cares for daily. Another homegrown Sumter girl, she currently resides in Sumter with her husband and dog, Huck.
Veterinary Medical Staff
Cathy Benenahaley
About Cathy
Veterinary Medical Staff
Cathy Benenahaley
Cathy has been with us since 2018. She has a huge spot in her heart for any and every critter we see, and even the ones we don’t. Cathy isn’t scared to try anything new, and at home, she has a zoo of her own animals, two beautiful kids, and a husband. She loves the outdoors and anything Clemson. She looks forward to continuing learning about veterinary medicine, has an Associates in Natural Resource Management and an Associates in Environmental Engineering. Cathy and her family currently reside in Dalzell.
Veterinary Medical Staff
Kristen Harvey
About Kristen
Veterinary Medical Staff
Kristen Harvey
Kristen is one of our Technicians and we are so thankful for her! She has been with HVH since 2021. She spends her free time cooking delicious treats for us at the hospital, hunting, fishing, and spending time with friends and family. Kristen is a major fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the South Carolina Gamecocks. Her favorite breed is a Weimaraner.
Veterinary Medical Staff
Lauren Beam
About Lauren
Veterinary Medical Staff
Lauren Beam
This is Lauren! Don’t be surprised if you see her friendly face in different areas of the hospital! She joined our team back in April 2021 as a Tech Assistant and has since cross-trained in the Reception and Technician aspects of the hospital! She is from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and enjoys hiking and photography. In her downtime, you’ll find Lauren running her photography business “Bluegrass Originals.”
Veterinary Medical Staff
Kayla Vance
About Kayla
Veterinary Medical Staff
Kayla Vance
Kayla is our amazing receptionist who brings a smile to everyone’s face! She was born and raised here in Sumter. She was a board-certified Pharmacy Technician but wanted to follow her passion for helping animals which led her here to Hudson Veterinary Hospital. She would like to be a Veterinary Technician in the future. Kayla spends her free time outside in nature and with her animals.
Veterinary Medical Staff
Denaysha McGee
About Denaysha
Veterinary Medical Staff
Denaysha McGee
I was born and raised here in Sumter, and have always loved animals. I still live here in Sumter with my kids, 5 goats and my cane corso. My favorite dog breed are pitt bulls, rottweilers and cane corsos but I love horses the most, and hope to one day become an equine veterinarian and do equine dentistry as well.
Veterinary Assistant
Alayna Bryant
About Alayna
Veterinary Assistant
Alayna Bryant
Alayna has been with HVH since the beginning of 2022 as a Veterinary Assistant. She dedicates her free time to fostering and taking care of animals. She has rescued dogs, cats, birds, and even guinea pigs! When she isn’t taking care of her animals she is painting in her free time. Her favorite breed of animal is a Standard Poodle.
Veterinary Assistant
Emmalee
About Emmalee
Veterinary Assistant
Emmalee
Emmalee has been a huge asset to our team as a Veterinary Assistant! She was born and raised here in Sumter and plans to travel the world someday. Her dream is to go to school and become a Marine Veterinarian. She has one cat and plans to add a Great Dane to her family in the future. She spends her free time painting and listening to music!
Veterinary Assistant
Lakila Edge
About Lakila
Veterinary Assistant
Lakila Edge
Bio coming soon!
Receptionist
Sheila Scott
About Sheila
Receptionist
Sheila Scott
Chances are you’ve been greeted by Sheila checking in for an appointment. She is one of our amazing receptionists here at HVH, but you can also find her helping as a technician. She graduated from Clemson in 2013 with her Bachelor’s in Animal & Veterinary Science. She spends her free time taking care of her 3 horses and 4 dogs, and taking trail rides when the weather is nice!
Client Service Representative
Nikki Dingle
About Nikki
Client Service Representative
Nekeya Dingle
Meet Nikki! She is our Lead Receptionist. She has been with us since June 2020 and is a key part of this clinic. She loves patient care and always has a smile on her face. Her favorite breed of dog is a Beagle, she can’t get enough of them and even has one of her own. Nikki was raised in Charleston, and when she is not at the hospital, you can either find her on her family’s farm, hiking, or just enjoying the outdoors!
Client Service Representative
Guen
About Guen
Client Service Representative
Guen
Meet Guen! She joined the HVH team in 2023 as one of our receptionists. She was raised in Hawaii and is stationed in Sumter with her family. Guen likes to spend her free time with her husband, her three kids, and their mini-Aussie fur baby!
Client Service Representative
Twila Carmona-Reese
About Twila
Client Service Representative
Twila Carmona-Reese
I was born and raised in southwest Ga. I have been around animals, big and small all my life. Growing up, I loved helping out with the animals on the local farms. While traveling the world, courtesy of the military, I met and married my husband of 18 years. We have one daughter. In my free time, I love to read, try my hand at gardening, or laying out by our pool. We have our hands full with our 3 dogs and 2 cats. My favorite dog breed is a Yorkie.
About Dr. Hudson
Veterinarian
Dr. Kevin Hudson
About Dr. Chilupe
Veterinarian
Dr. Jennifer Chilupe
About Dr. Burgess
Veterinarian
Dr. Tessa Burgess
About Kristen
Practice Manager
Kristen Pierce
About Jessica
Veterinary Medical Staff
Jessica Williams
About Cathy
Veterinary Medical Staff
Cathy Benenahaley
About Kristen
Veterinary Medical Staff
Kristen Harvey
About Lauren
Veterinary Medical Staff
Lauren Beam
About Kayla
Veterinary Medical Staff
Kayla Vance
About Denaysha
Veterinary Medical Staff
Denaysha McGee
About Alayna
Veterinary Assistant
Alayna Bryant
About Emmalee
Veterinary Assistant
Emmalee
About Lakila
Veterinary Assistant
Lakila Edge
About Sheila
Receptionist
Sheila Scott
About Nikki
Client Service Representative
Nikki Dingle
About Guen
Client Service Representative
Guen
About Twila
Client Service Representative
Twila Carmona-Reese
Veterinarian
Kevin Hudson, D.V.M., M.S.
Dr. Hudson had wanted to be a veterinarian since he received his first otoscope when he was 3 years old. He received the Outstanding Graduate Student award in the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998 and graduated with Honors from Texas A&M University in 2001. He has practiced in Houston, Texas, as well as the Upstate, Lowcountry, and Midlands of South Carolina. Although he has practiced on a variety of animals, including small and large animals, he has focused on dogs, cats, and pocket pets since 2004. He has 4 children, a crew of 2 cats, and 2 French Bulldogs. Dr. Hudson and his family are thrilled to bring high-quality veterinary care to the Sumter community and surrounding areas.
Veterinarian
Jennifer Chilupe, D.V.M.
Dr. Chilupe was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated Cum Laude from the Honors Program at Messiah University in 2018, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. During her time at Messiah University, she developed her love for animals and made the decision to become a veterinarian. She attended The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2023 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. During her time as a student, she gained additional experience in Small Animal Orthopedics, Emergency, and Critical Care medicine. Dr. Chilupe has also previously worked with marine wildlife and laboratory animals, but currently focuses on dogs, cats, and exotics. She is recently married with one fur baby at home, a cat named Gabriella. She enjoys doing crossfit, figure skating, outdoor activities, and church activities in her spare time. Dr. Chilupe is excited to be part of the veterinary team at Hudson Veterinary Hospital and serve nearby communities!
Veterinarian
Tessa Burgess, D.V.M.
Veterinary Assistant
Emmalee
Emmalee has been a huge asset to our team as a Veterinary Assistant! She was born and raised here in Sumter and plans to travel the world someday. Her dream is to go to school and become a Marine Veterinarian. She has one cat and plans to add a Great Dane to her family in the future. She spends her free time painting and listening to music!
Client Service Representative
Guen
Client Service Representative
Twila Carmona-Reese
Veterinary Assistant
Lakila Edge
Bio coming soon!
Veterinary Assistant
Ethan Benenahaley
Ethan is truly a jack of all trades, helping wherever it’s needed here at Hudson Vet Hospital! He started with us in 2022 and is finishing his senior year. He owns quite a few animals at home but his favorite is his ball python named Watson. Ethan spends his weekends hunting and fishing!
Veterinary Assistant
Alayna Bryant
Alayna has been with HVH since the beginning of 2022 as a Veterinary Assistant. She dedicates her free time to fostering and taking care of animals. She has rescued dogs, cats, birds, and even guinea pigs! When she isn’t taking care of her animals she is painting in her free time. Her favorite breed of animal is a Standard Poodle.
Veterinary Medical Staff
Kayla Vance
Kayla is our amazing receptionist who brings a smile to everyone’s face! She was born and raised here in Sumter. She was a board-certified Pharmacy Technician but wanted to follow her passion for helping animals which led her here to Hudson Veterinary Hospital. She would like to be a Veterinary Technician in the future. Kayla spends her free time outside in nature and with her animals.
Veterinary Medical Staff
Denaysha McGee
Receptionist
Sheila Scott
Chances are you’ve been greeted by Sheila checking in for an appointment. She is one of our amazing receptionists here at HVH, but you can also find her helping as a technician. She graduated from Clemson in 2013 with her Bachelor’s in Animal & Veterinary Science. She spends her free time taking care of her 3 horses and 4 dogs, and taking trail rides when the weather is nice!
Surgical Technician
Jessica Williams
Veterinary Medical Staff
Cathy Benenahaley
Receptionist
Kayla Christmas
Kayla has been with the Hudson Veterinary family since 2017. Kayla has earned her way from being a kennel technician to recently becoming a veterinary technician. You can also find her working in the reception area. Kayla spends her free time at the beach and at the river with her friends.
Receptionist
Melody Tisdel
Client Service Representative
Nekeya Dingle
Veterinary Medical Staff
Kendra Green
This is Kendra! She is the newest addition to the Hudson Family! Kendra is a wonderful tech who goes above and beyond for her patients. She is married with two kids and a few kitty cats!!! When not on the clock, you can probably find her working out or cheering on the Gamecocks! Kendra is a homegrown Sumter girl! We are so thankful she has joined the Hudson Veterinary family!