VCA Aurora Animal Hospital

Bios

• Steven Abel

  DVM

  Dr. Abel is a board certified Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Iowa State University in 1985. He has been practicing in the Chicagoland area since 1985. In 2003 he completed a surgical residency at Norwood Park Animal Hospital and in 2005 he became board certified. . Prior to joining VCA Aurora Animal Hospital, Dr. Abel was at Animal Emergency Center in Milwaukee. He has served as small animal representative of AVMA Drug Advisory Committee. Dr. Abel specializes in both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery and is certified in TPLO.

• John Peacock

  DVM

  Dr. Peacock graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine prior to completing an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Tennessee. He completed his residency in small animal surgery at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004 and became board certified in 2005. He was a staff surgeon at a specialty hospital in Texas and then joined VCA Aurora. While Dr. Peacock performs both soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, he has a special interest in arthroscopic surgery.

• Matthew Bischoff

  DVM

  Dr. Bischoff graduated from the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine in 1997 and went on to pursue a residency in radiology in 2002 and a Master of Science in diagnostic imaging of the canine shoulder in 2003. While working as faculty at the University of Illinois, Dr. Bischoff completed his fellowship in CT and MRI and received his board certification in radiology. Prior to joining VCA Aurora, Dr. Bischoff worked at a large specialty hospital in Indiana. Dr. Bischoff performs ultrasonography, radiographic interpretation, Computed Tomography (CT) MRI, fluoroscopy and general radiology.

  Education:

• Shawna Greene

  DVM

  Dr. Greene received her DVM from Iowa State University in 2003 and completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at VCA Veterinary Specialists of Northern Colorado. She then completed a residency in medical oncology and obtained her master's degree at Purdue University in 2007. Dr. Greene became board certified in 2008. Dr. Greene performs diagnosis and staging of all cancer types, including endoscopy, rhinoscopy, cytoscopy and tumor biopsies. She also provides the latest in treatment options for cancer patients, including chemotherapy, tumor vaccines, targeted therapy and palliative care.

  Education:

• Jennifer Matousek

  DVM

  Dr. Matousek received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Michigan State University and completed her dermatology residency at the University of Illinois, where she also served on for three years as a clinical instructor. Dr. Matousek has served on several committees for the ACVD including the exam committee and she is currently on the executive board of the ACVD. She is also a member of the Chicagoland Veterinary Dermatology Group. Dr. Matousek offers total management of allergies including skin testing, serum testing and allergen-specific immunotherapy, as well as diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune skin diseases, alopecias, and chronic or recurrent pyoderma, otitis and pododermatitis.

  Education:

• Shelia McCullough

  DVM

  Dr. McCullough was previously on the staff at the University of Illinois where she was instrumental in creating the critical care unit. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1987 and was a general practitioner/emergency veterinarian for 9 years. She returned to the University of Illinois in 1995 and completed two residencies. Dr. McCullough has been boarded in internal medicine since 1998 and in emergency medicine and critical care since 2004. In addition to her critical care duties, Dr. McCullough is in charge of the internship program at VCA Aurora, VCA Berwyn and VCA Arboretum View Hospitals. She is adjunct professor at the University of Illinois.

  Education:

• Lindsay McKay

  DVM

  Dr. McKay received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Florida. She then went on to complete an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at VCA Berwyn and Aurora and completed a three-year residency in dermatology at VCA Aurora. Dr. McKay is currently on the ACVD credentials committee. She is also a member of the Chicagoland Veterinary Dermatology Group. Dr. McKay offers total management of allergies including skin testing, serum testing, and allergen-specific immunotherapy, as well as diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases, alopecias, and chronic or recurrent pyoderma, otitis and pododermatitis. Dr. McKay is a featured expert on a veterinary talk show, "Pet Talk With Dr. B" - check out the website at <a href="http://www.pettalkwithdrb.com">http://www.pettalkwithdrb.com</a>.

• Terry Medinger

  DVM

  Dr. Medinger graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986 and was in private practice in the Chicagoland area for three years. He competed a small animal internal medicine residency and received his master's degree at Kansas State University in 1992. He became board certified that same year. In addition to providing state-of-the-art medical care for patients with complex diseases, Dr. Medinger performs advanced diagnostic procedures including complete cardiac workups with Color Flow Doppler, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, rhinoscopy, cytoscopy. Dr. Medinger also performs therapeutic placement of tracheal and urethral stents and oversees the radioactive I-131 program for treatment of hyperthyroid disease in cats.

  Education:

• Miyu Mercier

  DVM

  Dr. Mercier received her DVM from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. Dr. Mercier completed a small animal internship at VCA Aurora and VCA Berwyn Animal Hospitals. After working in private practice, she returned to VCA Aurora Animal Hospital and completed a one-year neurology internship in 2007 and a residency in Neurology/Neurosurgery in 2009. She became Board Certified in 2013. Dr. Mercier has special interests in spondylomyelopathy (wobbler syndrome), seizure control and maintenance, meningoencephalomyeltitis (meningitis) and disc disease.

• Caroline Tonozzi

  DVM

  Dr. Tonozzi received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois in 2003. She completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at VCA Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg, Maryland in 2004. She then went on to complete a residency in veterinary emergency and critical care medicine and surgery at the Animal Emergency Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 2004-2007. Dr. Tonozzi became boarded in 2008. Her interests include fluid therapy, trauma and critical care of the surgical patient.

• Rachel Kantola

  DVM

  Dr. Kantola graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. She was in private practice for 8 years and was a part owner in a two-clinic mixed animal practice in Minnesota. She joined VCA Aurora in 2007 as an emergency veterinarian.

• Donna Almondia

  VMD

  Dr. Almondia graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. She completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital in 2005. She practiced general medicine and surgery for three years, then completed a residency in radiology at the University of Georgia in 2011. She became board certified in 2012. Dr. Almondia performs examinations in general radiography, ultrasonography, CT, and MRI. Her special interests are iodinated contrast media, general radiography, and computed tomography.

• Brenda Hemken

  DVM

  Dr. Hemken worked as an environmental consultant and later as a high school math and science teacher before deciding to attend veterinary school. Since graduation from University of Illinois, she has worked in small animal practices exclusively. She worked in emergency medicine for three years, but has been in her current position since 1986.

  Education:

• Mary Priebe

  DVM

  Dr. Priebe grew up in Iowa and attended Iowa State University for both undergrad and veterinary school. She started practice in a mixed practice in Wisconsin then moved with her husband to Illinois where she practiced both small animal and equine medicine. She has been in her current position since 1990.

• Neil Farber

  DVM

  Dr. Farber graduated from the University of Illinois in 1976 and entered a small animal practice. He has a special interest in dentistry. He and his wife currently live with a greyhound, 6 cats, 3 rabbits, and a tortoise. Dr. Farber has been with VCA since 1996 and with VCA Aurora Animal Hospital since 2001.

• Margaret Guzinski

  DVM

  Dr. Guzinski graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. In 2007 she graduated from an internship at Tufts University. Dr. Guzinski has practiced in Rhode Island and has been with VCA since 2009. In 2011, Dr. Guzinski joined VCA Aurora. Dr. Guzinski has a special interest in dentistry and feline medicine. She shares her home with her two cats Lily and Violet.

• Nora Ortinau

  DVM

  Nora Ortinau, DVM is a 2007 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a rotating internship a VCA Aurora and Berwyn Animal Hospitals followed by a specialty internship in Neurology at Auburn University. She then completed her Neurology/Neurosurgery residency at Mississippi State University. Prior to working at VCA Aurora Animal Hospital, Dr. Ortinau worked for VCA Mission Animal Emergency and Referral Center in Mission, Kansas. Dr. Ortinau has special interests in inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system and intervertebral disc disease. Dr. Ortinau received her board certification in 2013. .

• Enry Garcia da Silva

  DVM

  Dr. Enry Garcia, DVM, MS, graduated from a Veterinary School in Brasilia/Brazil in 2004. Prior to and after graduation, he did clinical rotations at several Veterinary Colleges in the USA. After spending one year at University of Wisconsin-Madison (including a 4-month rotation at the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory), Dr. Garcia went on to complete a rotating small animal internship at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, followed by a 3-year Ophthalmology Residency and Master's degree at Colorado State University. Dr. Garcia performs all basic ophthalmologic procedures and cutting edge therapies including laser and drainage implants for glaucoma as well as complicated cataract surgeries. His main interests include corneal surgery and small-incision phacoemulsification surgery for lens luxation/sub-luxation. Dr. Garcia is the first Brazilian to ever be accepted to an ACVO-approved Ophthalmology Residency in the USA and to become board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. He has performed and published numerous clinical/basic research papers and case reports on dogs, cats, rabbits, snakes and even fish!. Publications. 1. da Silva EG, Dubielzig RR, Zarfoss MK et al. Distinctive histopathologic features of canine optic nerve hypoplasia and aplasia: a retrospective review of 13 cases. Vet Ophthalmol 2008; 1: 23-29. (Oral presentation at the ACVO conference 2006). 2. Perlmann E, da Silva EG, Guedes PM et al. Co-existing squamous cell carcinoma and hemangioma on the ocular surface of a cat. Vet Ophthalmol 2010; 13: 63-66. 3. da Silva EG, Gionfriddo JR, Powell CC et al. Iridociliary melanoma with secondary lens luxation - Distinctive findings in a cowfish. Vet Ophthalmol 2010; 13 (sup): 123-127. 4. da Silva EG, Gionfriddo JR, Hudacheck SF et al. Evaluation of the ocular penetration of topical alpha-luminol (GVT/Galavit) in rabbits. Vet Ophthalmol 2011; 14: 180-185. (Oral presentation at the ACVO conference 2009). 5. da Silva EG, Gionfriddo JR, Powell CC et al. Histologic evaluation of the immediate effects of diamond burr debridement in experimental superficial corneal wounds in dogs. Vet Ophthalmol 2011;14(5):285-91. (Oral presentation at the ACVO conference 2010). 6. da Silva EG, Sandmeyer LS, Gionfriddo JR et al. Tear production in canine neonates - evaluation using a modified Schirmer tear test (mSTT). Accepted, Vet Ophthalmol - epub ahead of print. (Poster presentation at the ACVO conference 2004). 7. da Silva EG, Gionfriddo FR, Valdes-Martinez A et al. Transorbital extracranial giant foreign body in a dog. In progress (Poster presentation at the ACVO conference 2011) 8. da Silva EG, Johnston M, Powell CC et al. Diamond burr spectaculectomy in refractory ocular dysecdysis on a corn snake. In progress (Oral presentation at the ACVO conference 2012). Book Chapters. da Silva EG. Chemical Burns of the Ocular Surface. In: Rabelo R. Emergencies in Small Animals (in Portuguese). 1st ed. Elsevier, p.1094-1097; 2012. da Silva EG. Ocular Foreign Bodies. In: Rabelo R. Emergencies in Small animals (in Portuguese). 1st ed. Elsevier, p.1098-1101; 2012. da Silva EG. Ocular Lacerations. In: Rabelo R. Emergencies in Small Animals (in Portuguese). 1st ed. Elsevier, p.1102-1106; 2012. da Silva EG. Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome (SARDS). In: Rabelo R. Emergencies in Small Animals (in Portuguese). 1st ed. Elsevier, p.1111-1113; 2012. da Silva EG. Blunt Ocular Trauma. In: Rabelo R. Emergencies in Small Animals (in Portuguese). 1st ed. Elsevier, p.1114-1118; 2012.

  Education:

• Jennifer Tanner

  DVM
• Donalyn Sauser

  DVM
• Kelly Wessberg

  DVM

  Kelly Wessberg, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) is a 1998 graduate of University of WI-Madison Veterinary School, where she graduated in the top 10 of her class. Born and raised in Waukesha, WI, Dr. Wessberg attended Waukesha North High School and University of WI-Madison for her BS in Biochemistry. After graduating veterinary school, she completed a small animal internship at Mesa Veterinary Hospital in Mesa Arizona. Dr. Wessberg then completed a cardiology residency at California Animal Hospital under the mentorship of Dr. Stephen Ettinger in 2002, and obtained board certification in Cardiology in 2003. Prior to joining VCA Aurora, Dr. Wessberg practiced at a private practice in California until 2005 and then moved to the Chicago area where she has continued to practice. Dr. Wessberg has special interest in diagnosis and management of challenging arrhythmias and providing quality of life for patients with advanced cardiac disease.

• Laura Sweet

  DVM

  Dr. Laura Sweet graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. After graduation, she went on to complete an internship in small animal medicine and surgery with VCA Specialty Hospitals in the Chicago area. Dr. Sweet has been part of the VCA family since 2007 and has a special interest in dentistry, soft tissue surgery as well as preventative care. She lives in Aurora with her husband, 2 daughters, 2 dogs and 2 cats. .

  Education:

• Terry Medinger

  DVM

  Terry Medinger, DVM, MS, DACVIM graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986 and was in private practice in the Chicagoland area for 3 years. He completed a small animal internal medicine residency/Master's Degree program at Kansas State University and became board certified in 1992. In addition to providing state-of-the-art medical care for patients with complex diseases, Dr. Medinger performs advanced diagnostic procedures including complete cardiac work-ups with color flow Doppler, electrocardiography (ECG), endoscopy, bronchoscopy, rhinoscopy and cystoscopy. Dr. Medinger also performs therapeutic placement of tracheal and urethral stents and oversees the radioactive I131 program for treatment of hyperthyroid cats. Dr. Medinger enjoys diagnosing and treating all internal medicine disorders and has special interest in endocrinology, gastroenterology and diseases of the kidney. .

  Education: