Douglas A. Kern, DVM, MS

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons

Dr. Kern is the owner of First Choice Animal Care and Surgery Center which has been serving the greater Windham area for 10 years. Dr. Kern has been practicing veterinary medicine for 36 years.

Dr. Kern graduated from the University of Minnesota with his doctorate and obtained his post-doctoral master’s degree from Virginia Tech where he also did his surgical residency. Dr. Kern has been performing referral surgical procedures since 1987 and became a specialist in surgery in 1996. Dr. Kern has a broad range of qualifications having received training at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital in Springfield, MA, the College of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, and North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine.

Seven years ago, Dr. Kern diversified his practice and added primary care services to his referral surgery practice. Dr. Kern primarily treats dogs and cats but has also treated pocket pets, snakes, poultry, llamas and alpacas, and wildlife. Dr. Kern and his family have lived in Maine for over 20 years. Landscaping, hardscaping, and gardening fill in any free time that Dr. Kern may have.

Courtney Brown, Office Coordinator

Courtney has been with First Choice Animal Care and Surgery Center since 2019. She started here right out of high school scanning and filing records. Over time she became our receptionist. After doing reception work for about a year and a half she became trained to be one of Dr. Kern’s assistants. Now she is our Office Coordinator and enjoys leading our team of girls on a day-to-day business. Courtney’s favorite part of assisting is getting to be in surgeries with Dr. Kern. In her free time, you can find Courtney on the boat, with her friends and family, or studying. Courtney is attending Southern New Hampshire University as a full-time online student on track to receiving her bachelor’s degree in business management.

Mackenzie Marks

Mackenzie has been with us since February 2022. She attends Penn Foster University as a veterinary technician major. She intends to complete her degree and become a licensed veterinary technician. Her favorite things to do at work are focused on reproductive cases, such as watching cesarean section surgeries or ultrasounds. After work, she enjoys attending car shows, taking care of her horse, camping, and running her own pet sitting business. Her interests include showing cattle, horses, and sheep. Mackenzie currently resides in Otisfield.

Lucy Leen

Lucy is an aspiring veterinarian that has been with us since 2022. She recently graduated from Rollins College with a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Lucy plans to attend Iowa State University – College of Veterinary Medicine starting in the fall of 2024. She is beyond excited for this next step in her journey to becoming a veterinarian. At FCAC Lucy enjoys working-hands on with the animals, watching surgeries, and learning as much as she can!

Lindsey Kension

Lindsey joined the team in October of 2023. Lindsey went to Lake Region High school where she graduated. Her favorite part about working at FCAC is anything: puppies, c-sections, and litter exams. She also enjoys learning anything and everything from Dr. Kern. Lindsey has had a love for animals her entire life. She enjoys spending her free time with her Fiancée, 3 dogs, and cat, lounging on the pontoon boat with friends, going up to camp in Seboomook Maine, or ice fishing in the winter.