Leslie Starnes is a West Virginia native, originally hailing from Montgomery. She pursued pre-veterinary education at Marshall University where she ran track and cross country. After graduating from Marshall in 2013, Starnes graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. She also completed a dual degree Master of Public Health through the University of Minnesota during this time. A variety of experiences from primate health, shelter medicine, and mission work have given Starnes a unique perspective into public health and how it is interwoven into private practice. She specifically enjoys zoonotic disease prevention, internal medicine, and promoting the human-animal bond. She is motivated in this profession by serving others.
Starnes and her husband, Peter, reside in Huntington with their daughter Louisa. They have 3 dearly loved pets, Fern, Gauley, and Junipurr. They are expecting a second baby in December 2021. In their free time, they enjoy running, biking, and finding adventure out-of-doors.