Meet Our Staff

Dr. Mike Smith founded Clairmont Animal hospital in August of 1990. He is a graduate of Tulane University and University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Smith has spent 41 years practicing veterinary medicine in Florida and Georgia. His special areas of interest include soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and laparoscopic surgery.

Dr. Smith is credentialed in TTA surgery, TPLO surgery, ALPS minimally invasive bone plating and numerous other procedures.

Dr. Smith is married to Denise Smith, a classically trained violinist and has a daughter Lexi who practices environmental law.

In his leisure time he enjoys woodworking, reading, fly fishing, watersports and spending time with his wife, golden retriever, Lake, two rescue cats, Chairman Meow and Woody, and four snakes.  

Dr. George Parlavantzas was born in the United States and raised in Cyprus. He is a graduate of Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Parlavantzas practiced in an exclusive feline practice prior to joining our hospital. His areas of special interest are general medicine and surgery, feline practice, radiology, and dentistry. Dr. Parlavantzas has three cats: Charybdis, Scylla and Shira.

Dr. Crystal Drakes was born and raised in the Caribbean twin-island country of Trinidad and Tobago. She received her undergraduate degree at Tuskegee University and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. She later followed with a Masters degree in Public Health. She originally worked in Indiana for 7 years before she decided to move to Georgia for the warm weather and even warmer communities.

Dr. Drakes has an interest in public health, infectious disease and dental care. She also has an interest in introducing more young people to the benefits of a career in veterinary medicine.

In her spare time, Dr. Drakes enjoys arts and crafts (she can even make her own soap), travel, visiting farmer's markets, and doing yoga. She still enjoys spending quality time at home with her cats Santana and Pirate, and her puppy Churro.

Dr. Lauren Bradford is from Gainesville, GA. She is a proud “Double Dawg” having earned both her undergraduate degree and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia. One of Dr. Bradford's favorite aspects of veterinary medicine is building strong relationships with clients, ensuring they are active partners in their pets' care. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball, exploring antique shops, traveling, and spending time with her husband. She and her husband are looking forward to adopting a puppy very soon.

Dr. Golsen was born and raised in Alpharetta, Georgia. He graduated Emory University in 2017 with a BS in biology, and he received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at University of Georgia in 2021. After graduating, Dr. Golsen completed a rigorous rotating internship program at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego, where he was exposed to a wide array of cases. Dr. Golsen’s interests are soft tissue surgery, oral surgery, and diagnostic imaging.

In his free time, Dr. Golsen enjoys traveling, wildlife photography, and spending time with his friends and family.

Dr. Pogue attended the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and received his DVM in 2008. He then went to Purdue University for a one year rotating small animal internship, followed by a three year cardiology residency at the University of Florida. In 2012, he became board-certified in cardiology through the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. His clinical interest is echocardiography, particularly of congenital disease and canine cardiomyopathies. Dr. Pogue has worked in the Atlanta area since 2012, and currently performs mobile cardiology consulting with primary veterinary clinics - helping veterinarians diagnose and manage heart disease in their patients. He lives in Alpharetta, GA with his wife (also a veterinarian) and 2 children.

Tasha is CEO of Axam Imaging, Inc and a board-certified radiologist who has practiced in the private sector of Decatur, Georgia for more than 13 years. In collaboration with veterinarians and practices across Metro Atlanta, Axam Imaging provides mobile ultrasound services. We also provide teleradiology services across the nation.

Dr. Axam graduated Duke University with a BS in Biological Anthropology and Anatomy and a BS in Psychology. She graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee College of Veterinary Medicine. She's completed a rotating Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Internship at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. She's also completed residency training in Diagnostic Imaging at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.

Sarah was born in the Midwest and graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. After living in Florida for several years working as a Marine Mammal Specialist, she moved to Georgia to pursue a new career path and start a family. Sarah has been with Clairmont Animal Hospital since 2010. She lives in the area with her family, including a Shih-tzu named Ellie. In her free time, she enjoys working on home décor design projects, traveling, cooking, and being outdoors.

Estelle graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in Archaeology and Art History, and has been involved in animal rescue and veterinary care since 2010. She spends much of her free time in the North Georgia mountains, and enjoys cooking, hiking, and exploring the food scene here in Atlanta. She lives in Decatur and has a chihuahua mix named Leo.

Branden Henley was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and has lived here his entire life. Graduating from Druid Hills High School and Georgia Perimeter College and has been with Clairmont since 2007. Branden has one cat named Serafina. In his spare time, Branden enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons, reading graphic novels, playing video games and watching movies.