The Veterinarians of Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic

Dr. Jim Delker

Dr. Jim is the co-owner of Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic with his wife Dr. Debbie Mersch (Delker). Dr. Jim attended South Dakota State University where he received a Bachelor’s in Animal Science. He completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota in 1996. He and his wife practiced in South Dakota and Minnesota for several years before moving to Alaska in 2003 when they purchased Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic from Deb's Uncle (Dr. Steve Mersch). His interest is in soft tissue surgery. He performs a variety of orthopedic procedures including fracture repair and anterior cruciate stabilizations. His hobbies include most outdoor activities including coaching soccer. He enjoys sporting dogs and hunting. During his free time, he can frequently be found with a fishing pole in hand.

Dr. Debbie Mersch(Delker)

Dr. Debbie is the co-owner of Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic and the spouse of Dr. Jim Delker. Debbie lived in Bethel, Alaska for two years and Soldotna, Alaska for four years as a child. Her father, Dr. Donald Mersch, was a family practice physician in Soldotna. In 1978, the Mersch family moved to Hibbing, Minnesota. Debbie completed high school in Hibbing, then went on to receive a Bachelor’s in Biology at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Dr. Jim and Dr. Debbie met at the University of Minnesota Veterinary School where they both received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. They practiced in South Dakota and Minnesota before moving their family to Soldotna in 2003 when they purchased Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic from Debbie's uncle, Dr. Steve Mersch.
Debbie comes from a long line (four generations) of veterinarians which includes two uncles, a grandfather, and a great uncle who also chose to pursue careers in veterinary medicine. Dr. Debbie has a particular fondness for cats, which explains her profound interest in feline medicine. When her children were young, she focused much of her attention on their activities. Dr. Debbie has been involved with community groups such as the Kenai Peninsula Performers (board, producer), the Kenai Peninsula Soccer Club (board, team manager), the Soldotna High School (site council, event photographer, volunteer), as well as Christ Lutheran Church (treasurer) for over 15 years. In 2019, after the completion of the new Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic facility, Dr. Debbie went back to working full-time as a veterinarian.

Dr. Gary Kuchinka

Dr. Gary is another Midwest (Minnesota) "transplant". He completed his undergraduate degrees in Biology and Chemistry at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. From there, he attended Iowa State University where he completed his Master’s degree in Veterinary Microbiology and Preventative Medicine. After a year of research studies, he was admitted to the Iowa State Veterinary School where he completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. Since that time, he has practiced in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Soldotna, Alaska. Despite migrating back to the Midwest for a time, his love for Alaska eventually brought him back to the Kenai Peninsula. Dr. Gary is experienced in both soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. He has attended numerous surgical conferences and specialty training sessions including the "tightrope" ACL repair. His hobbies include fine arts, painting, four-wheeling, and beachcombing for agates.

Dr. Taby Perkovich

Dr. Taby has been with Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic since 1997. She received both her bachelor’s degrees from Texas A&M in Animal Science and Biomedical Science. She continued at Texas A&M to complete her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1981. Dr. Taby and her husband farmed and raised a variety of critters in the Midwest before moving to Alaska. She has practiced medicine in Texas, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. She started her career in mixed animal practice, performing farm calls on animals ranging from small to large. Since moving to Alaska, her practice focus has shifted to family pets. Now Dr. Taby enjoys internal medicine and diagnostics. Her hobbies include gardening and chasing around any one of her children’s or grandchildren’s activities.

Dr. Mike Haberman

Dr. Mike moved to Alaska in the spring of 2022 after practicing in Brainerd, Minnesota since 2013. He is originally from Apple Valley, Minnesota and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2007; followed by graduating with his DVM degree in 2013 from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Mike loves all aspects of companion animal practice but has special interests in surgery, dentistry, and dermatology. Dr. Mike was allured to the Kenai Peninsula after spending time here at Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic during his externship and had always wanted to return. His wife and three children were excited to come to Alaska. Other than chasing after the kids, the house is kept busy with a red heeler named Orla and a heeler mix named Rudy. Dr. Mike loves spending time with his family and being outside. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, camping, hunting, skiing, snowboarding, woodworking, and fixing whatever gets broken along the way. Dr. Mike values honesty and a healthy sense of humor. What he loves most about being a veterinarian is the ability to help pets live healthier, happier lives (which keeps their owners smiling).

Dr.  Vicki Craig

Dr. Vicki joined Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic in November of 2017. She is a graduate of California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, California with Bachelor's in Animal Science. She went on to complete her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University and graduated in 1994. She is an experienced practitioner with special interests in small animal medicine including "pocket pets", avian, reptiles, wildlife, and other exotics. She also has interests in oncology and disaster medicine. Dr. Vicki has lived in Alaska since 2006, having lived in Homer for a number of years, then moved to Wasilla for four years before joining Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic here in Soldotna. Her hobbies include fishing, hiking, snow shoeing, and reading.

Dr. Rebecca Wood

Dr. Rebecca Wood is originally from Louisville, Kentucky. She moved to Fairbanks, Alaska in 2010; then to Bethel, Alaska and then back to Fairbanks; and finally, down to the Kenai Peninsula in 2020. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky. She attended Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with honors in 2010.

Dr. Rebecca’s favorite part of practicing veterinary medicine is meeting pets and people. She enjoys internal medicine and ultrasound more than surgery. She absolutely cherishes meeting pets as puppies and kittens and watching them “grow up” into seniors – She personally values being part of the human-animal bond in that way.

Her hobbies include keeping houseplants, gardening, reading, knitting, crochet, and cross-stitch. In her free time, she enjoys camping, fishing, and hiking with family. Dr. Rebecca is beyond grateful that her part-time/fill-in opportunity here at TCVC allows her to be a veterinarian and a mom to her almost 11- and 6-year-old girls, referring to it as “truly a blessing” for both her personal and professional life.