Our Destin Veterinary Emergency Team
Nick Thompson, DVM • Medical Director
Dr. Nick Thompson grew up in Coalgate, Oklahoma, a small rural town in southeast Oklahoma, where his father was a large animal practitioner. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a Pre-Veterinary Emphasis from Oklahoma State University in 2014. Dr. Thompson then attended the Oklahoma State College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2018.
After graduation, Dr. Thompson practiced large animal medicine alongside his father before transitioning to small animal general practice in Ardmore, Oklahoma. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for emergency and critical care. This interest led him to pursue emergency medicine further, ultimately relocating to Florida where he joined the EVC team in 2023.
Outside of work, Dr. Thompson enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters at the beach and on the water. He is also an avid traveler and ultramarathon runner, finding time to challenge himself with long-distance races in his spare time.
Shannon Quillian, DVM • Medical Director
Dr. Shannon Quillian was born and raised in West Tennessee. She grew up riding horses and playing doctor on family pets; this is where her passion for animals blossomed. She attended Mississippi State University where she earned a bachelor of science degree, then went on to attend veterinary school at Mississippi State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
After completing veterinary school in 2019, Dr. Quillian moved to Florida with her husband, Chris, and has lived in Florida ever since. They share their home with their two dogs, Tucker and Milo, and one cat, Mac. They love life on the Emerald Coast, taking every opportunity to get out on the water and soak up the sun!
Dr. Quillian has been excited about emergency medicine since her first ER externship during vet school. She enjoys being able to help pet owners and animals during their most stressful times, and loves the stimulating environment and variety of interesting cases that emergency work provides. She is an active member of our local Miracle Strip Veterinary Medical Society (MSVMS) as well as the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). Dr. Quillian is certified in veterinary CPR through RECOVER.
Phil Blumer, DVM
Dr. Phil Blumer grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, and decided to become a veterinarian when he was in 8th grade, after going out on farm calls with his uncle who was a large animal veterinarian. When graduating from Henry Clay High School, the faculty voted Dr. Blumer the outstanding male graduate in scholarship, athletics, leadership, and character, winning the Yale Cup.
Dr. Blumer attended the University of Kentucky from September 1963 through May of 1965 as an undergraduate. He was then accepted to veterinary school at Auburn University in 1965, graduating in 1969. Following veterinary school, Dr. Blumer volunteered for the United States Air Force and served four years during the Vietnam War, part of which was at Eglin Air Force Base in northwest Florida.
Dr. Blumer owned Friendship Veterinary Clinic in Fort Walton Beach, Florida from 1973 until 2004, and worked for many years with wildlife rescues and particularly enjoyed helping injured raptors and water fowl.
Dr. Blumer was one of three founding veterinarians for the Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Okaloosa Walton and has stayed on for the last 28 years.
Dr. Blumer is married to Jean Blumer and they have two adult children and three grandchildren. In his free time, Dr. Blumer enjoys travel, particularly in Africa, and has been all over the world.
Melissa Lopez-Davis, DVM
Dr. Melissa Davis-Lopez was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, and developed a passion for animals at a young age. Her dream of becoming a veterinarian began at the age of 6, sparked by a love for animal books and endless episodes of veterinary shows on Animal Planet. As she grew, so did her deep appreciation for the human-animal bond. She earned her bachelor's degree in Zoology from the University of Florida before continuing to Tuskegee University for veterinary school, where she graduated in 2019.
Following graduation, Dr. Davis-Lopez has worked throughout the area, gaining extensive experience as a general practice and then full-time relief veterinarian before joining our emergency team. She has a strong passion for treating not only dogs and cats but also exotic animals, and she is always happy to care for your scaley and feathery companions when they need help the most.
In addition, Dr. Davis-Lopez is fluent in both English and Spanish, allowing her to connect with a broader community of pet owners and ensure the best care for pets of diverse backgrounds. Outside of work, Dr. Davis-Lopez enjoys spending quality time with her husband and their three boys, indulging in sushi, and reading a good mystery novel.
Michael Beckham, DVM
Dr. Michael Beckham grew up in Winchester, Kentucky. He graduated from Murray State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a focus on Pre-Veterinary Studies. He then obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed his clinical year at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Beckham is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and currently serves as President of the Miracle Strip Veterinary Medical Association.
In his free time, he enjoys going to the beach with his wife, Mariah, playing pickleball, and caring for his cats, dogs, turtles, and axolotls.
Elizabeth Carson, DVM
Christian Fortner, DVM
Dr. Fortner was born and raised in the New Orleans area. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences at Southeastern Louisiana University in 2020 and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from LSU in 2024. He has dreamed of being a veterinarian since a very young age, thanks to his parents' influence as fosters and volunteers with numerous local animal rescues and shelters. Dr. Fortner has worked continuously in the veterinary field since high school, when he worked as an assistant in a small-animal practice and an animal shelter. Dr. Fortner is an active member of the AVMA and the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society.
In addition to treating dogs and cats, Dr. Fortner has a special interest in avian and exotic animal medicine. He is a proud bird dad to an Electus Parrot named Tiki. He also has 2 dogs: one dachshund named Pork Tchoup and a mixed breed named Autumn. Dr. Fortner also has a sphynx cat named Bruce.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Fortner enjoys exploring all the natural resources the panhandle has to offer. He especially enjoys SCUBA diving, fishing, and boating. During the summer, you can usually find him with his family enjoying Crab Island or at the beach.
