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Our Veterinarians
Dr. Jeff Grady, DVM / Owner
I grew up working with my father, Dr. Karl Grady, at Grady Veterinary Hospital. I always thought it was great to be able to help animals in this way. Even today, clients will tell me, “I remember when you were 5 years old and your father gave you a nickel for cleaning under the exam tables!” So I guess you could say I grew up around the business. I never really considered another career. Even in high school, I concentrated on math and science because I knew that would help me get into veterinary school.
I graduated from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1990 and began working at Grady Veterinary Hospital the next week. I took over the practice in 2001 from my father. He taught all of us here the importance of treating clients as we would want to be treated. In addition, he was always at the forefront of advances in veterinary medicine. We continue to embrace these values today at Grady Veterinary Hospital.
I’m lucky to have a wonderful and supportive wife, Karen, who is also a veterinarian and is understanding of the demands on my time. We are blessed with three great children, Olivia, Bennett, and Avery; along with three dogs, Dottie and Dewey (Boston Terriers), and Hannah a Golden Retriever; and three cats, Jewel, Cleo, and Kelly.
I’m very fortunate to love my work. While I enjoy all aspects of veterinary medicine, I have a special interest in surgery. I’m very proud to oversee the team of 50 professionals that provide exceptional service to you and your companions.
Dr. James Auvil, DVM, AVD/dipAVDC
I first entertained the idea of becoming a veterinarian 50 years ago in the deep hills of West Virginia. Animals lived a hard life, as the closest veterinarian was 40 miles away over bad mountain roads.
A graduate of Michigan State University College of Medicine, I became a board-certified veterinary dentist in 1990. I became interested in veterinary dentistry because I knew I could prolong pets’ lives with proper dental care. I am the only board-certified veterinary dentist in the state of Ohio. (NOTE: There are less than 100 board-certified veterinary dentists in the entire world.)
The above experiences and a love for all life give me a good feeling. I can’t bear to kill even the smallest creatures and when they get into the house I catch them and release them outdoors. It gives me that good feeling, making their lives more enjoyable and pain free.
All of my pets come from rescue groups. I have three dogs named Taz, Sassy, and Tilly, and three cats named Patch, Bonnie, and Clyde. I enjoy painting and teaching watercolor and writing poetry.
Dr. Karla Blackmore, DVM
My name is Dr. Karla Blackmore and, although I am a Cincinnati native, I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. I went to veterinary school at Ross University on the Island of St. Kitts in the West Indies, and I did my clinical year at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. After completing school, I moved back to Cincinnati with my husband, Brad. We now live in Maineville with our daughter and our menagerie of animals. We have two dogs (a mixed breed, Pumpkin, and a miniature pinscher, Z), three cats (Ash, Liefie, and Vegas), two salt water aquariums, and one pond.
I became a veterinarian because, in addition to allowing me to work with animals, it gives me the opportunity to have human interaction and to do lots of problem solving. In my free time, I enjoy scrapbooking, reading, and spending time outdoors.
Dr. Maureen Brown, DVM
I came from a family of emergency physicians, surgeons, nurses, and first responders. As a toddler, I began watching videos of general surgeries with my uncle as he prepared for medical school… and I loved it. My mother tells me I said I was going to “become a veterinarian” as soon as I could speak. She entertained my desire to have about every pet possible as a child. My chosen path began out of my love and respect for animals and medicine, but grew into a desire to be their advocate.
I am a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Medicine. We all spend a large portion of our lives working and I am thankful to be in a profession where I can help people and their special companions. My pets are a part of my family and I expect the best care for them when they are in need. My standards are the same for all my patients, which is why I work at Grady Veterinary Hospital.
I love hockey, rock climbing, skiing, and generally being outdoors. I have three rescued boxers and a French bulldog.
Dr. Jodi Duff, DVM
My family has had pets my whole life, but I didn’t decide I wanted to be a veterinarian until I was a freshman in college. I left Cincinnati and went to college in Florida to be a marine biologist. However, after about three months of missing my family and my pets, I decided that Ohio was the place for me. I transferred to Thomas Moore College the following year and began studying to be a veterinarian. I’ve always liked animals and science, and figured veterinary medicine was the perfect combination of both.
I love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, camping, boating, and wakeboarding. My husband and I love to play with our four dogs and take them for long walks. Our biggest dog is a German shepherd mix named Sierra; next is our Catahoula named Merle; Silas is an all-white mutt with a smattering of black spots; and Badger (also called Li’l Mista Beava) is the tiniest dog. We think he is a Rat Terrier mixed with a Jack Russell. All we know for sure is that he is full of energy and likes to chase our three cats.
On any cold and rainy day, you can find me reading murder mysteries with all the pets. The best part about being a veterinarian is getting to meet people’s pets and helping them to be healthy.
Dr. Debra Quiles, DVM
I graduated from Mississippi State University in 1988, and started practicing veterinary medicine at Grady Veterinary Hospital in June 1988.
For six years, I worked the night/emergency shift (7:00 pm – 7:00 am) at the hospital and thoroughly enjoyed it. My special interests are internal medicine, feline medicine, soft tissue surgery, and ultrasound.
Dr. Carolyn Russell, DVM
I have wanted to be a veterinarian since childhood. I attended undergraduate school at the University of Kentucky and graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.
My hobbies are skiing, golf, and scuba diving, and pets include two dogs and one cat.
Dr. Jimmy Swinney, DVM
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. I think my motivation for following this dream stems from the human–animal bond I saw firsthand with my pets growing up. My parents were instrumental in demonstrating to me the compassion and care necessary to work with animals.
I feel very fortunate to have the privilege of working with animals. My professional mission is to strengthen the human–animal bond by providing health and wellness care for animals and educating their owners.
I am a graduate of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. I am a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and attended the University of Kentucky, graduating with a degree in biology. My interests include orthopedics, ophthalmology, emergency medicine, and ultrasound.
I am the proud owner of Shelby, a Border collie mix I adopted from the SPCA. In my free time, I enjoy golf, hiking, backpacking, camping, traveling, and following UK basketball and football and the Cincinnati Reds.
Dr. Kelly Zilli, DVM
I joined Grady Veterinary Hospital in January of 2010 after working predominantly in a small animal practice for the last year. I received my bachelor of arts in biochemistry/molecular biology from Wittenberg University in 2004 and continued on to receive my DVM from Ohio State University in 2008. I’m the proud owner of two wonderful ex-racing greyhounds, Vinnie and Guido, whom in addition to making themselves at home on the couch, can be found occasionally at Maple Knoll retirement community visiting with the residents. Much to Vinnie and Guido’s chagrin, they have to share their place of respite with two feline guests, Zeek and Elliot, who were left in a box behind my car in the winter of 2006.
In addition to spending time with my animal family, I often visit with my parents who still live in Dayton and brothers who both live nearby. I enjoy volunteering for the Cincinnati Zoo and the Hamilton County Parks. I can often be found out running, playing soccer or enjoying a cup of coffee at Caribou. I look forward to learning more about Cincinnati and welcome any tidbits of information in regards to the Bengals and/or the Reds.
Stella, the Hospital Bird
Hi, my name is Stella and I am a Blue Front Amazon Parrot. I am five years old and have been living at Grady Veterinary Hospital since I was just four months old. It is my job to greet the clients and their pets when they come in to see us.
I am very talented and I love to talk. I can say many things, including: “Meow,” “Here Kitty, Kitty,” “Hello,” “What are you doing?” “Pretty bird,” “Pretty Stella,” “Good morning,” and “Bye-bye!” I love to play with my toys and chew them up. I also love playing peek-a-boo with the staff.
I am learning to whistle the Andy Griffith theme song. I am getting pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. Sometimes I like to imitate the dogs and cats that come in to see us. I can cry like a puppy and I also do a very good imitation of a cat.
If you come in to see us, stop by and say “hello,” but be careful: I like to bite fingers that get near my cage!