Our Doctors
Cindy Church
Dr. Church grew up in Lee’s Summit and graduated from Lee’s Summit South (the only high school at that time). She continues to live in Lee’s Summit with her family. As a child, pets were always a part of her life; a cat Fuffy, a dog Misty, many fish and hamsters. In undergraduate school she had a pet rat named Pearcy, who the entire family grew to love despite her tail. She also had a family of mice rescued after a nutrition study. She always wanted to become a veterinarian, but received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri in Human Environmental Science. After a couple of years in the “real world” she realized that her love of animals and the desire to help them was too great to ignore. She returned to school at Rockhurst University to pursue the remaining undergraduate requirements for a degree in veterinary medicine.
Dr. Church graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. After graduation she practiced in the Kansas City area until joining Green Summit Animal Clinic in January of 2005. Dr. Church purchased the practice in February of 2006. “Returning to school was the best decision I ever made,” said Dr. Church. “I knew deep in my soul that this was what I was meant to do and am so glad I decided to pursue this profession.”
Her current pets include her two cats, Sarah, and Sherbert, a dog Sherri, and many fish. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her children in whatever hobbies/activities they are pursuing.
Chelsey Sirna
Dr. Sirna grew up in Lee’s Summit. She went to the University of Missouri and received her Bachelors in Animal Sciences in 2008 and stayed another four years to complete her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, graduating in 2012. She began working at Green Summit Animal Clinic in the winter of 2004 during breaks and holidays to gain experience in her pursuit of becoming a veterinarian (along with many other jobs). While in school she participated in World Vet Program and went to Costa Rica to help spay and neuter over 200 animals in one week. She joined the Green Summit Animal Clinic Veterinary staff in the spring of 2012.
Dr. Sirna currently resides in Lone Jack with her husband, daughter, son, four dogs, six cats, 2 horses, and some very spoiled chickens. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and watching her sports teams (Mizzou, the Chiefs, and the Royals-no matter how painful it is to watch sometimes).
Hunter Sbisa
Dr. Sbisa grew up in Lee’s Summit and obtained his Bachelor’s of Animal Science at Kansas State University in 2010. He then attended the University of Missouri where he obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a Master of Public Health degree in 2018. He worked with Green Summit Animal Clinic during his third year of clinical rotations and knew it would be a great practice to join. Dr. Sbisa had many unique experiences during his clinical rotations. One of these included a 6-week rotation at the Humane Society in St. Louis where he had the opportunity to spay and neuter multiple animals in the shelter for adoption. He joined the Green Summit Animal Clinic Veterinary staff in the spring of 2018.
Dr. Sbisa lives in Independence with his beloved wife, Karla, and one dog named Navi which he’s had since the beginning of vet school. Both he and his wife are very involved in ministry with their Church, Living Faith Lee’s Summit, and more specifically desire to reach internationals with the Gospel. He likes to play most sports but prefers extreme sports (mountain biking, snowboarding, etc.), loves to travel when possible, and enjoys nights of simply hanging out and catching up with friends over food and games.
Melanie Rivera
Dr. Melanie Rivera is a passionate and skilled veterinarian who earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Missouri, along with a Master’s in Public Health. With a strong foundation in both clinical and public health practices, Dr. Rivera enjoys the unique versatility that veterinary medicine offers, allowing her to work across multiple areas of animal care. She specializes in small animal medicine, with hands-on experience in routine surgeries, including spays and neuters, mass removals, and dental procedures. Additionally, Dr. Rivera has valuable experience working with cattle, which has broadened her understanding of animal care across species.
Rivera is deeply committed to fostering open and honest communication with both her clients and her team. She takes pride in being a proactive partner, ensuring every patient receives the best care possible.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Rivera loves spending time outdoors, whether hiking, paddleboarding, gardening, or playing sand volleyball. She shares her home with her best friend, Aslan, a lively 4-year-old orange cat.
Dr. Rivera’s dedication to her profession and her clients makes her a valued member of our team, and she looks forward to helping your pets live long, healthy lives.
Our Veterinary Team
Animal Clinic has been blessed with a team of wonderful people. Our staff members have been with the clinic from a few months to 23 years. These are the people who answer the phones, greet clients, go over instructions at discharge, and care for our feline patients. They are amazing!