Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital::Our Doctors

Dr. McCollum completed his pre-veterinary college training and veterinary school at The Ohio State University, graduating in 1970. He then served two years of active duty in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps receiving awards including the Army Commendation Medal for his exemplary service. Moving to Nashville in 1972, he practiced as an associate veterinarian in a practice in West Nashville before founding Priest Lake Veterinary Clinic in 1974.

While developing the practice into the three doctor practice it is now, he was also a founder of the Nashville Pet Emergency Clinic and served in many positions in local and state veterinary organizations. Dr. McCollum has received several awards for his service in the veterinary profession including the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association's Distinguished Service Award in 1996, and The Outstanding Practitioner Award in 1999.

Doctor McCollum's interest in pets continues at home where he enjoys caring for Kelsey, the family's eleven year old Sheltie, Libbie their Persian, and Chico and Shawnee their horses. Trail riding, hiking, reading, family time, and actively participating in his Christian faith at St. Ignatius Orthodox Church occupy Dr. McCollum's time away from the office.

Kathy, his wife of 34 years, has played an integral role in the practice from the beginning, and continues to handle many of the administrative tasks from her home office. The McCollums have been blessed with four children; Joshua, Melissa, Sarah, and Daniel, son in law Patrick and daughter in law, Anne Marie as well as five wonderful grandchildren (thus far!).

Ever since Dr. Pennington could remember he wanted to become a Veterinarian. His compassion for healing and helping animals made him realize at the age of 14 that this is what he wanted to do. He was hired on and worked hard in this SAME clinic in clean-up for 5 years just to learn anything he could before he entered college.

Dr. Pennington did his undergraduate studies at Vol. State Community College and at U.T. Martin and graduated from the University of Tennessee's Veterinary program in 1986.
After college Dr. Pennington returned to Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital and is now a clinic owner along with Dr. McCollum.

The Doctor treats all types of pets- he has a special interest in exotic species, and currently owns a number of exotic pets personally, such as reptiles, birds, and pocket pets.

He and his wife were blessed with the birth of their son, Jefferson Royce, in June 2003!

Dr. Pennington is looking forward to building the new clinic hospital in the next one to two years.

Dr. Ollis completed her undergraduate education at the University of Tennessee earing a BS in animal science in 2001. Since she had wanted to be a veterinarian from a very young age, she applied and was accepted to the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine where she was awarded her DVM in May 2006 (but not without first marrying her high school sweetheart, Sam). In the brief time between undergraduate and veterinary school, Dr. Ollis worked at the Knoxville Zoo as an animal trainer, which allowed her love for all exotic species, especially birds, to grow.

Dr. Ollis is very excited to return to middle Tennessee especially since she grew up in Mt. Juliet. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Ollis enjoys attending UT football games, family time, quilting, scrap booking, and playing with her dog, cat, and parakeet.

I was born and raised among the cows and cornfields of Northern Indiana farmland. Growing up, I had Amish babysitters and ate a lot of fresh sweet corn. I loved interacting with horses, cows, pigs, farm dogs and cats throughout my young life. This formed a bond that led me to veterinary medicine. I attended Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!) for my undergraduate years. I received a B.S. in Biochemistry with honors and a minor in Biology. I pursued a veterinary medicine degree at Purdue. I received my D.V.M. degree with distinction in May 2000.

I met my husband, Alex, while at I.U. I married him in May 2002 at Opryland Hotel. We have an 18 year old cat named Kat. Our newest addition is our dog, Nathan. August 2003 we bought our first home and intend to get settled before we start on the next step in life, children. We both love TN and consider Nashville a great city to live and work. Thank you for welcoming us to our new home.