BluePearl Pet Hospital
Duluth, MN
Our Vets

A love of learning and the wide-ranging cases drives Anastasia, with a passion for trauma and shock cases and stabilizing critical patients. For many years she has been a DJ for a local folk music radio show, and enjoys bird-watching, photography and camping. Anastasia has a son and daughter and two grandsons, as well as her cat Katrina and Staffordshire terrier mix Amelia.

Dr. Jeffrey Banwart has a particular interest in emergency surgical procedures and treating complex medical cases that require frequent re-evaluation and assessment, such as diabetic ketoacidosis.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames
• Bachelor of Arts, Biology, Wartburg College, Waverly IA

Dr. Banwart loves the outdoors and enjoys activities like downhill skiing, landscaping, fishing and hiking. He and his wife are empty nesters.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Dr. Blomstrand enjoys weightlifting, kayaking, fishing, reading and participating in canine rally.

Dr. Melissa Frank loves surgery and managing complex cases that require frequent monitoring and adjustment of therapy.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science & Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Married with three daughters, Dr. Frank enjoys spending time outside, hiking, camping and gardening. She also likes photography and reading. The family pets are on the smaller side – two parakeets, a betta fish and a snail.

Helping families and the unpredictable nature of emergency medicine excites Elizabeth, who expresses a particular love for C-sections and helping to bring new life into the world. She volunteers in surgery with the Animal Allies Humane Society and enjoys painting and hiking. Elizabeth loves time with her significant other and son, and her mastiff/lab/Rottweiler mix, Gemma Bean.

Dr. Jonathan Hart finds trauma cases, endocrine emergencies and toxicity cases particularly rewarding.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca NY

Dr. Hart loves all things outdoor: back country hiking, winter camping in the Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, paddling and four-wheeling with his family.

Dr. Laura Kiehnbaum has worked in both mixed and small animal practices and as a shelter veterinarian.

• Master of Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul

Dr. Kiehnbaum volunteers her veterinary services with Leech Lake Legacy, a nonprofit organization that provides veterinary care to pets on an Indian reservation.

Dr. Katherine Peterson is particularly interested in toxicology, emergency stabilization and post-operative care.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care
• Residency, Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
• Internship, Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
• Internship, Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care, Animal Emergency Center, Glendale, WI
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Dr. Peterson enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, along with their many pets, including a dog, cats and chickens.

Emily strives to give pets and their families the best care possible to ease a stressful, and usually unexpected, situation, and one of her favorite things to do is pull porcupine quills. She likes hiking, fishing and snowboarding. Her pets include two cats, Chewy and Markeeta, and dog Tree.

Dr. Jona Taber is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners. She is certified in Fear Free and Recover CPR techniques. After nine years as a general practitioner, Dr. Taber made the switch to emergency medicine. She loves being able to help families and pets during critical times when they need comfort and guidance. She is also passionate about canine and feline rehabilitation after going through physical therapy herself while training for half-marathons.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• Bachelor of Science, Agriculture, Murray State University, KY

Dr. Taber and her husband love calling Duluth their new hometown. Dr. Taber’s passions include running, gardening, downhill skiing, traveling, and walking with her dogs: Chloe, an energetic, outgoing Goldendoodle and Daisy Kate, a mischievous, sweet beagle.