Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Heights Veterinary Clinic-Northwest in Houston, Texas! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Please call us at 832-982-2365 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!
Dr. Serene Yu is a Houston native who has lived all over our diverse city. She is a double Aggie, earning a Bachelors of Science in 2017 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2021 from Texas A&M University. She is excited to start her veterinary career as part of the Heights Veterinary Clinic team. Dr. Yu has a special interest in internal medicine, exotic medicine, and giving all her patients lots of love and kisses. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, baking, trying new restaurants and cuisines, hiking/backpacking, and reading. She somehow graduated veterinary school without adopting an animal, but she is currently looking to adopt a dog as her outdoor adventure companion.
I knew I wanted to be a vet since I was 6 years old and got my first pet cat, Princess. I was raised in Houston and went to Colorado State University for undergraduate, then attended Texas A&M for veterinary school. I graduated from A&M Summa Cum Laude in 2020, and have been practicing in Houston since then. My professional interests include client education, preventative medicine, and soft tissue surgery. I also have an interest in serving internationally on veterinary mission trips. I spend my free time training for my next half marathon, cuddling with my cat (Mallow) and dog (Ace), and traveling to see new places with my husband, Dan.
I began my veterinary career at just 13 years old, volunteering at my local clinic. For three years, I worked in the kennels and anywhere I could observe and learn, with the dream of becoming a veterinarian. At 16, I joined First Colony Veterinary as a CSR and, within a year, was promoted to manager. I went on to spend 24 years there as the lead surgery technician and practice manager. Over time, I realized my true passion lies in leadership—supporting and empowering my team to be the best at what they do.
When my doctor retired, I transitioned to a hospital administrator role in the Beaumont area for about a year and a half. But Houston has always been home, and in April 2024, I was thrilled to join the Heights team. Now, celebrating over 30 years in veterinary medicine, I couldn’t be happier to be part of such a dedicated and compassionate group.
As a leader, my goal is to ensure my staff feels supported and equipped with the tools they need to succeed. I also strive to create a welcoming, comfortable environment for both clients and their pets. I’m a lover of all living things, big or small, furry, feathered, or scaled. My favorite part of every day is showering the patients who walk through our doors with love, boops, and kisses.
Melissa began her career at Heights Veterinary Clinic as an extern from VTI in October 2020 and was hired immediately after graduation as a technician with us. She has become fascinated with surgery and dental procedures and has been growing her skills in this area of our hospital. Melissa’s philosophy every day is to treat each pet like her own, which is probably why we were such a perfect fit for her! She has a red heeler named Max, a whippet/chihuahua named Penny, and an orange tabby named Galaxy.
Shiloh started her veterinary journey with trap, neuter, return work in 2019, helping Houston’s feral cat colonies. She joined the HVC-NW team in 2022 after graduating from Pima Medical Institute’s Veterinary Technician Program. Through her training she has learned how to provide better care to pets. Her furry family includes her dog, Abigail, and three cats: Geordi, Mycroft, and Oreo. She is committed to always learning more to provide the best patient care she can to your furry family members.
Rachel joined our team as a veterinary technician student on externship in 2022. She knew in her first few weeks she wanted to be a part of our team and has remained at HVC-NW since graduating from the Vet Tech Institute of Houston Program. Her greatest accomplishments are her 3 kids and completing her Associate’s Degree in Animal Science. Her menagerie of pets is too long to list her but include, cats, a dog, 4 Ball Pythons, a Bearded Dragon and a Russian Legless Lizard. Rachel, with her knowledge of exotics, assists the veterinarians who treat exotics and also is part of the surgery team.
Tung joined our team first as a student from the Lone Star College Vet Tech Program. Since graduating in May 2024, he chose to remain with our veterinary technician team. He is from Vietnam and has been in Houston since 2007. He has a beautiful canine companion Leina who is 4 years old. Tung’s hobbies include video games and drawing – some of his drawings are seen on the clinic treatment boards. Tung’s favorite thing about HVC-NW is how his team members here put the care for their patients first and foremost
Lauren B. aka LB has been a technician for 10 years and with HVC-NW since 2019. In her free time, she loves to eat at new restaurants, exercise, and go birdwatching around town. Her love of birds is unparalleled so come to her if you have any bird related trivia, want to talk about her pet parrot, or just wanna show her photos of birds you’ve seen!
Emory joined our team as a student from the Lone Star College Vet Tech Program, and was student president of the Vet Tech Student Organization. Since graduating in May of 2024, she chose to remain with our veterinary technician team. She was born and raised in Houston Texas. She loves her two rescue mutts, Mr. Wilbur and Ms. Magnolia. Emory has always known she wanted to work with animals, and found that being a technician was the right path for her. In her spare time she enjoys writing, painting and spending time with her close friends, going to the gym, and playing Minecraft to relax.
Alexa joined Heights Veterinary Clinic-NW in February 2025. She earned her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Biology from the University of Houston and has been working in veterinary medicine since college, where she began shadowing and later became a technician. Alexa enjoys the variety of cases in veterinary care and has a special love for seeing exotic pets come through the doors. In her free time, she volunteers at the SPCA, crochets, plays video games, and enjoys sports with friends. At home, Alexa shares life with her two cats, Beans and Tangerine.
Kathy joined the Heights Veterinary Clinic team in July 2024. She began her career in the veterinary field in 2020 as a receptionist and has enjoyed every moment of helping clients and their pets since then.
Her favorite part of working in the veterinary industry is meeting so many wonderful pets, especially cats!
Outside of work, Kathy enjoys relaxing with a good book and exploring new places through her travels. At home, she shares her life with two beloved cats who keep her company and add plenty of joy to her days.
I began working in the veterinary field in 2015 as a kennel technician and was promoted to a technician assistant after just a year. I continued working in the field until 2019, when I decided to take time off to be a stay-at-home mom. In 2024, I returned to the veterinary world as a receptionist, where I enjoy supporting both clients and their pets.
At home, I stay busy with my three dogs, a rabbit, and my 5-year-old son. In my free time, I love spending time with my son, exploring new places, trying new things, and relaxing with a good show.
Bio coming soon
In loving memory of Joni Carroll who dedicated over 20 years of her life to helping Heights Veterinary Clinic provide excellent patient care and client service to the surrounding Heights community. Known as “mother” to our team, she was someone we all leaned on at one time or another. Her presence is still felt by those that had the privilege of working alongside her. She will be missed by many.
Dr. Kenneth H. Williams, former owner and Medical Director of Heights Veterinary Clinic is a 1971 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University. Immediately after graduation, Dr. Williams served 2½ years in the military before coming to work at Heights Veterinary Clinic in March of 1974. He purchased the clinic in January of 1975 and has guided the clinic’s growth since that time. Dr. Williams is a native of the Heights and possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of the area. He has even been known to conduct tours of historic Heights landmarks on weekends (for a nominal fee).
Dr. Williams retired in 2013. Although he retired physically, his legacy of HVC lives on. Our practice was built on the strong foundation of medicine and family which has continued on just as Dr. Williams left it. He now enjoys his full-time job as Grandpa.
