I grew up in Syracuse, NY, with multiple rescue cats and pet rats. After high school, I went to Cornell University and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in animal science. I took a year off before moving to Champaign, IL, for veterinary school to work at a small animal hospital. I graduated from the University of Illinois-College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010 and then stayed at the university to complete an anatomic pathology residency and a Master of Science in pathobiology. In Champaign, I was also a teaching assistant for the second year veterinary students, and I worked as a relief doctor at multiple veterinary clinics in central Illinois. My family relocated to Florida, so after 10 years in Champaign, IL, I decided it was time to say goodbye to the cold weather to join them! I live with my daughter, two geriatric pit bulls, Willie and Dudley, and two cats, Little Bit and Trouble!

I always knew I wanted to be a doctor, but it wasn’t until high school that I decided on veterinary versus human medicine. I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless and advocate for both the owned and homeless animals to help as many as possible!