About Udder Health Systems Laboratory

Udder Health Systems began as a provider of milk quality services to the dairy industry in 1978. In 2004 we expanded into food testing services as well.

Dr. Allan Britten is the Laboratory Director and President of Udder Health Systems. Dr. Britten graduated from Washington State University in 1972 with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. In 1975 he attended the University of California at Davis and obtained a post graduate degree: Masters in Preventative Veterinary Medicine. He started his laboratory service as part of a specialized epidemiological service working with commercial dairy farmers on mastitis control. The laboratory has been involved in a wide variety of environmental health investigations necessitating samples from water, soil and bedding to help solve microbiological problems on dairies. Dr. Britten has focused much of his attention on helping address the challenges facing dairymen who strive to produce high quality milk. He consults with dairymen, veterinarians, processors, and manufacturers on topics of disease control, on-farm personnel training, safe milking machine design and function, effective sanitation programs, rational therapy programs, milk quality trouble-shooting, teat condition concerns, dairy environmental health, and milk quality laboratory technology. He brought experts in food testing into the business to expand the range of services offered by Udder Health.

Udder Health Systems has laboratories in Bellingham, Washington Jerome, Idaho and Boise, Idaho. We also have a media production facility located in Boise. Each laboratory is staffed by a team of life scientists including veterinarians, microbiologists, food scientists and animal scientists who are totally focused on providing a state of the art food and milk quality service. Overnight courier services and internet communications allow us to serve clients in all parts of the United States. If you have a question about Udder Health, please call us. We love to talk to people and help them learn how they can reach their food or milk quality goals.

Our Science Team is here to serve you

Bellingham, Washington

Jonathan Cerar is the Laboratory Manager in Bellingham, Washington. He joined the company in April of 2005. Jon received his Bachelor of Science degree with a specialization in Ecology, from Central Washington University in 2001. He worked for three years at Pascal, a dental equipment and supplies manufacturer in Bellevue where he was both a Bench Analyst and Production Technician in their Quality Control Department. At UHS, Jon has had extensive training in milk quality procedures and now helps to train others.

Nancy Hanson, Head of Field Operations has worked at Udder Health in a variety of technical and administrative roles since 1984. In addition to providing technical and office support for the laboratory, she spends much of her time outside the lab managing the field investigations for our clients. Nancy received her Bachelor of Science degree at Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pa in 1975.

Jan Wesen is currently involved in database development and support. Jan completed her Bachelor of Science degree at California Polytechnic State University at San Louis Obispo, Ca. in 1981. She has worked in our laboratory since 1989 and has experience on the bench and in the field.

Justin Hammett currently works as a laboratory technician. He joined Udder Health in June of 2007 and has been involved in media production, product shipping and general laboratory tasks. Justin is a student at Western Washington University pursuing a degree in Physics and Mathematics.

Dr. Jean Grow joined the Udder Health staff in the fall of 2008. Dr Grow obtained a Bachelor of Science at the University of California, Davis and then went on to the University of Wisconsin, where she earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. She has previous experience as Associate Veterinarian at the Deming Animal Clinic in Deming, NM. Dr. Grow also obtained valuable experience working on commercial dairies in Hillmar, California. She is working with producers on mastitis, production and animal health issues.

Boise, Idaho

Dr. Damian Lettieri serves as Veterinary Officer and Field Operations Manager for both of our Laboratories in Idaho, having joined our team in July of 2009. He received his degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Buenos Aires in 2000. He is licensed as a Veterinarian in New Mexico, Texas and Idaho. Dr. Lettieri’s entire practice has been focused on dairy. He has worked as a herd manager, specialized in parlor management and milk quality services over the course of his career. He has developed an extensive set of continuing education and training schools which he presents in Spanish, his native tongue, as well as English. These include schools on milking, maternity pen management, calf management and hospital management. Dr. Lettieri also performs on-farm herd exams, milking system safety evaluations, and dairy environmental health assessments.

Murali Gurajala is the Laboratory Manager for Milk lab operations in our Boise lab. He joined the Udder Health staff in October, 2008. He is a 2001 graduate of A.N.G. R. Agricultural University, India with a B.S. in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry. He continued his education with graduate work in Food Science at the University of Idaho. Murali has Microbiology laboratory experience working at Kraft Foods in Rupert, ID and Capricorn Foods in India. In addition to his responsibilities with milk quality services, Murali is working to develop food testing services in the Boise lab.

Heide Devore has been our Boise Office Manager since 2009. She is a graduate of the US Career Institute and the QuickBooks Pro Advisor Certification Program. Heide has over 17 years of experience as an accounting service professional, receptionist and office assistant. Since joining Udder Health Systems, she has also played a vital role in customer fulfillment for our microbiological media services.

Rodrigo Segovia joined Udder Health Systems in October, 2007 as a laboratory technician. He graduated from Los Angeles Trade Technical College with an Associates Degree in Science in 2005. Rodrigo has previous Microbiology laboratory experience with Sorrento Lactalis and Ablestik Laboratories where he was Senior R & D Technician. He is currently the Assistant Lab Manager for Milk Lab operations in our Boise laboratory.

Susan Littlehale joined the Udder Health Staff in September, 2008. Sue is currently serving as Media Production Supervisor in our Boise facility. Sue earned a BS in Health Care Services from Southern Illinois University and a Masters Degree from the State University of New York in 1990. She was a Commissioned Officer in the United States Naval Reserve and has a wide variety of experiences in medical and research laboratory operations.

Dane Britten has been directing computer and networking services at Udder Health since 2004 and in 2008 moved to Boise where he also provides technical support for our new automated microbiological media operations center.

Jerome, Idaho

Chad Larsen is the Laboratory Manager in our Jerome facility. He joined the Udder Health staff in July of 2008. Chad has a B.S. and M.S. degree in Food Science from Brigham Young University. He has seven years of food science experience with Otto and Sons in Utah. Two of those years were spent as Quality Assurance Manager. Chad is working to expand the food testing offerings at Udder Health and has developed an ISO Accreditation program.

Jan Morrison is the Office Manager for our Jerome laboratory. Jan received a B.A. degree in General Agriculture from the University of Idaho in 1998. She was previously employed by Rocky Mountain Resources Lab and has experience working in the lab, in the office, and on the dairy. Jan always tries to use this knowledge base to facilitate an efficient and informed environment in the Jerome Laboratory.

Dana Andre` is Assistant Lab Manager and Certification Supervisor. She is State Certified in bacterial and antibiotic testing of raw milk. She has a wide range of laboratory experience, which includes both chemical and microbiological testing on raw and processed food products. Her skills are crucial to the smooth operation of the diverse testing environment of the Jerome Lab.

Krystal Jones joined Udder Health in November, 2007. She is a graduate of Utah State University with a B.S. in Dairy Science. Prior to coming to Udder Health she spent two years working in a forage lab. Krystal is a State Certified Analyst and performs customer support duties in addition to her bench responsibilities.

Frankie Murray began her duties in June of 2008. Her prior work experience includes 10 years of laboratory work with Glanbia Foods where she was a Lab Technician and Lab Lead. Frankie is a State Certified Analyst and does general laboratory work at Udder Health.

Please contact us and let us help you with any of your testing needs.