I became a veterinarian because of my love of animals and the challenge of making their lives better. When I was 13 years old, my pet hamster became sick, and my visit to our local veterinarian transformed my life. From that time on, I did everything in my power to become a veterinarian. I went to a high school that had special programs in agriculture and worked on dairy farms during my summer vacations. My college years were marked with intense studying. My hard work paid off as it allowed me to follow a career path that I had long dreamed of.
I earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Cornell University and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Cornell in 1979.
I came to Mid Island Animal Hospital in 1981 and became its director in 1983. I have worked throughout the years to expand the services that the hospital provides.
I enjoy all facets of veterinary medicine from internal medicine, surgery and dentistry. In recent years we have added laparoscopic surgery to the services that we offer. I strive to provide the highest quality of medicine for my patients through persistent hard work. Mid Island Animal Hospital has a comprehensive continuing education program that allows its doctors to stay on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine.
My years at Mid Island Animal Hospital have allowed me to grow and serve the community in many ways. In 1993 I engaged in clinical research and helped field test a new drug for Addison?s Disease, and adrenal gland disorder. The results were published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and in Current Veterinary Therapy.
In 1998 I became a member of the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association?s Disaster Preparedness Committee. Little did we know that we would be put to the test on September 11, 2001. Suddenly I found myself part of a team responsible for sending veterinarians and assistants to ground zero at the World Trade Center site on a daily basis to care for the search and rescue dogs. We arranged for 24 hour care for the service dogs. This became my ?second job? until November 3, 2001. In December 2001 I received the award of Veterinarian of the Year from the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association for my service during this critical period in history.
I have served my alma mater, Cornell University by leading the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Association. I was a board member from 2001 and President from 2007 until 2008. I also have represented the College of Veterinary Medicine at several alumni functions. Cornell University has afforded me a lifetime of opportunities and I enjoy helping others attain their goals. In November of 2012 I was honored as an Outstanding Alumni Award winner by the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (have invited a variety of community groups to Mid Island Animal Hospital to learn about veterinary medicine and the care of animals. We have opened our doors to nursery school groups, Brownie troops, hearing impaired students, and high school students. We are proud to educate our youth.
At Mid Island Animal Hospital we have a rapidly growing list of students who come to shadow us and were later accepted to the finest veterinary colleges. Several of the students have come back to us to train, and some have even joined our staff. One of my passions is inspiring and mentoring students interested in veterinary medicine. My support of students has been recognized in Veterinary Legacy, a blog written by Dean Emeritus Donald Smith of Cornell University. The blog descibes my path to becoming a veterinarian and my involvement with students
After practicing over 30 years, I am as excited and enthusiastic about veterinary medicine as ever. In fact, I am never on time for work, I always get there early. It is my privilege to be a veterinarian.
