About SweetWater
Veterinary Hospital

Dr. Sara Collins Powell is our exotic trained veterinarian who has over 8 years of experience working with exotic pets as well as zoological and aquatic animals.

Dr. Powell went to the University of Georgia for her undergraduate degree as well as for veterinary school. She then spent two years at Auburn University to specialize in exotic animal medicine. Dr. Powell also loves seeing dog and cat appointments too!

Dr. Powell is originally from Augusta, GA and moved to Newnan, GA in August 2019. She is married to Hanson Powell and they have a mini golden doodle named Finn! Sara is active in the Newnan Junior Service League and loves mentoring students from local schools as well as vet students from Auburn and UGA.

Dr. Melynda Stephenson is our companion animal veterinarian who has over 10 years of experience.  Her veterinary interests include small animal internal medicine, dentistry and ultrasonography.   

Dr. Stephenson graduated from Furman University with her undergraduate degree and Auburn University for both her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Master’s in Biomedical Science Degrees.

Dr. Stephenson was raised in Newnan, GA and graduated from The Heritage School. She returned to Newnan several years ago to raise her family in the same close-knit community she experienced herself. She and her husband enjoy watching their kids compete on the sports field and travelling. Their busy household includes an Aussie named “Rip” and a rescue kitty named “Mr. Meowser.

Dr. Rachel Sagan is a recent graduate of Auburn Universities veterinary program. She has a passion for exotic medicine and surgery but is looking forward to meeting all the young and old dog and cat patients too!

Dr. Sagan went to Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey for her undergraduate degree. She then moved down to Alabama where she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University. She has since fallen in love with the south.

Dr. Sagan is originally from Blackwood, NJ but she has grown up abroad living in Sweden, China and Poland. She now lives with her fiancé Matt and their rabbit, Hamilton. She and Matt enjoy hiking, fishing, being outside and watching the occasional soccer match. She looks forward to joining SweetWater and getting to know her new community.

Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine

DVM Candidate Class of 2023.

Dr. Jonathan Schiavone, our current preceptor student, will also be joining us as a doctor in June!!!!

Dr. Schiavone is originally from Athens, AL and grew up in Ardmore, AL. He has stayed in Alabama for most of his life and completed his undergraduate studies and veterinary degree at Auburn University. He lives with his girlfriend and three cats, and they enjoy hiking, fishing, and camping. They currently have visited 14 of the 63 United States National Parks and their favorite so far has been Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.