Our Team

Our Veterinary Team Monroe County Animal Hospital in Sweetwater, TN

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Monroe County Animal Hospital! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Monroe County Animal Hospital Team

We Look Forward To Meeting You

We have assembled an expert team of veterinary professionals at Monroe County Animal Hospital to provide you with the best possible care for your pet. We are so excited to meet you!
Monroe County Animal Hospital Team

Phyllis Harrell, DVM

Dr. Harrell is a native of Hot Springs, Arkansas. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and earned her veterinary degree at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1987. Her veterinary experience was honed in Hot Springs and in Kingsport TN before joining Monroe County Animal Hospital.

A member of the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Harrell also serves the TN Department of Agriculture/TEMA 1st Responder to Agricultural Disasters and the Monroe County Board of Health.

The doctor and husband Charles have two daughters, Hannah and Haley, and one son, Matthew, and are members of the 1st United Methodist Church of Madisonville. Dr. Harrell’s favorite hobbies include dance, reading, camping, and watching the Atlanta Braves.

Monroe County Animal Hospital Team

Erica Murphy, DVM

Dr. Murphy’s connections to Monroe County Animal Hospital began while she was growing up in Madisonville; her interest in becoming a vet lead to her involvement in a summertime volunteer program at the Monroe County animal clinic, working under the mentorship of Dr. David Kefauver and Dr. Boyd Curtis, the latter now one of her partners at MCAH. She first met Dr. Richard Buchanan on a late-night call to the Heiskell family’s Laurel Brooke Farm for a c-section on one of their cows. Inspired by her positive experiences and the menagerie of critters she grew up with, Dr. Murphy completed her undergraduate degree in Animal Science at the University of Tennessee campuses in Martin and Knoxville. She graduated from the UT College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004 and is a member of the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association as well as the American Veterinary Association.

Dr. Murphy was wed in 2006 to Scott Murphy, who composes music for television “when he is not busy being the best husband and father in the world,” Dr. Murphy notes. In December 2013, they welcomed their daughter Eva into the world. Like most in her profession, Dr. Murphy’s pets were rescued, and include 4 cats named Sawyer, Yoda, Dylan, and Boots. Dr. Murphy and her family are members of Madisonville Presbyterian Church.

Professional travel leads Dr. Murphy to Zanzibar, Tanzania, on an exciting mission trip where she and her team spayed and neutered feral cats in Stone Town and went out in the “shambas” (countryside) to deworm and vaccinate cattle for foot and mouth disease. While she loves cooking and reading, her hobbies have evolved now that she has a child – playing with Eva is at the very top of her list of favorite activities.

Monroe County Animal Hospital Team

Angela Barry, DVM

Dr. Barry received her veterinary degree from the University of Tennessee in 1998 and has worked part-time with Monroe County Animal Hospital for over a decade, primarily in the Tellico Plains office. She and her husband Michael, who is a veterinarian working with the USDA FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service), live in the nearby mountain community of Coker Creek.

In addition to her children Jarrett and Kiley, Dr. Barry’s family includes 3 dogs, 2 cats, 4 horses, 2 rabbits, and a small flock of chickens. Dr. Barry is a member of the Ironsburg Methodist Church and has utilized her professional skills while traveling to areas in need through the Christian Veterinary Missions.

In her free time, Dr. Barry enjoys horseback riding, swimming, gardening, and reading.

Monroe County Animal Hospital Team

Bryan Thomas Beason, DVM

Dr. Beason’s passion for animals started at a young age, growing up on his family farm with livestock and crops. He is a 2013 graduate of the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine. During his studies, he gained specialized experience through internships in equine medicine in Washington State and in bovine medicine in Argentina. He also interned with a mobile practice specializing in large animal veterinary care, operated by Sweetwater veterinarian Dr. Hugh McCampbell. Dr. Beason eventually purchased this field service practice, and has owned and operated it as Beason’s Veterinary Service LLC for several years. As a veterinarian with Monroe County Animal Hospital, Dr. Beason enjoys utilizing his strong companion animal skills, the perfect accent to his large animal fieldwork.

In his goal to continually grow as a veterinarian, Dr. Beason consults with experts to stay knowledgeable in the latest veterinary treatment options and he follows animal studies that impact the care his clients receive. He is a licensed veterinarian in both Tennessee and Georgia.

Dr. Beason’s life is full of animals, at work and at home. With his wife Mia, he continues working on their fourth-generation family farm. In his spare time, he enjoys training for endurance events such as marathons, triathlons, and obstacle courses. Dr. Beason has a soft spot for youth and is often seen at local 4-H shows writing health certificates, helping children with their animals, and encouraging future generations of farmers.

Monroe County Animal Hospital Team

Ethan Darrow, DVM

Originating from Middle Tennessee in a small quant town of Jamestown, Dr. Darrow grew up on a 3rd generation family farm. With an agricultural background, he knew from a young age that he wanted to be a veterinarian. Dr. Darrow graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Animal Science (Class of 2017) and The University of Tennessee College of Veterinarian Medicine (Class of 2022). Dr. Darrow enjoys all aspects of veterinarian medicine; however, small animal surgery and farm calls are his favorite. Dr. Darrow is currently training to become an animal chiropractor to improve patient’s quality of life with holistic medicine in conjunction with western medicine.

Dr. Darrow’s family resides in the heart of Delano. They enjoy their mountain view and their small hobby farm that is comprised of a large flock of backyard chickens, alpacas, dogs, and a cat. When not at work, Dr. Darrow enjoys spending time being outdoors, riding ATVs, and farming, but the joy of each day is coming home to his family.

Dr. Darrow is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Heartworm Association, and the American Veterinary Chiropractor Association.