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In Memoriam
May 1956 - July 2007
Mary Stachler will be greatly missed. She had a dynamic personality
with a golden heart. She was an extremely dedicated technician who
truly made my job as a veterinarian easier by her precision and
challenging by her perfectionism. She was an amazing single mother of
three children who loved them dearly and was an inspirational role
model. Her departure from my office, my life and my heart is a
tremendous loss. The only solace that I have is that she is no longer
in pain or suffering. I know that the time that I shared with her here
at AMC will always be treasured.
~Donna Solomon
Doctors
Dr. Waisburd, Dr. Solomon, Dr. Janik
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Name: Donna Solomon
Position: DVM and Owner
Brief Education History: B.S. and DVM Degrees from Michigan State University
Joined AMC: Opened Animal Medical Center on May 12th, 1990
What I like best about AMC:
Our outstanding staff members, who are intelligent, caring and
dedicated to the well-being of our clients. Also, our educated and
conscientious pet owners who make practicing medicine enjoyable and
challenging. And finally, our new addition!
Favorite AMC Memories:
The morning of our grand opening my mother and I scraping dirt off of
the tile floors, thinking, "I finally did it. I opened my own clinic."
Also, I love each and every time one of my clients says, "I wish my
doctor would take care of me as well as you take care of my pet."
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s):
Getting into vet school, marrying my husband, Brad Ginn and having 2
healthy children, being able to balance work and family life and still
loving what I do. I believe my commitment to being a veterinarian is
not a job, but a passion of mine to help pets live healthier and
happier lives.
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Name: Pamela Janik
Position: DVM
Brief Education History: B.S. from Miami of Ohio University; DVM from University of Illinois
Joined AMC: June 1st, 1999
What I like best about AMC:
AMC has the best staff I have ever worked with. They are very caring
and dedicated to our patients. They are also a lot of fun to be around.
Favorite AMC Memories:
My favorite memories are working with the homeless dogs from Chicago
Canine Rescue. It was very rewarding helping them to be healthy and
more adoptable by loving families.
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): As of now, my greatest life accomplishment has been learning and accepting who I am.
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Name: Beth Waisburd
Position: DVM
Brief Education History: B.S. and DVM degrees from Cornell University;
Internship in Small Animal Medicine Surgery at Purdue University in 1998
Joined AMC: December 5th, 2005
What I like best about AMC:
The staff at AMC is intelligent, hard-working and efficient. Everyone
is extremely compassionate and works together well as a team.
Favorite AMC Memories:
Watching the staff work together to care for, and find the perfect home
for, a German Shepherd puppy named Duke. It was one small example of
everyone's shared dedication and passion for this profession.
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): Finding a balance between my profession and family . . . both of which I love. |
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Fox Valley Veterinary Dentistry & Surgery
Cindy Charlier, DVM, FAVD, Diplomate ADVC; Stacy Bell, Surgical Nurse
Over the years, our staff and doctors have gained a
greater appreciation of the importance of preventative dental health
and the practice of veterinary dentistry, and a desire to improve the
quality of dental care we offer our patients. To that end, we have
enlisted the help of Dr. Cindy Charlier, one of fewer than 100
board-certified veterinary dental specialists in the country.
The award-wining Dr. Charlier consulted and performed surgery for us on
a case-by-case basis from 2004 through the summer of 2006, but in the
following September, the relationship took a new and exciting
direction. Now, Fox Valley Veterinary Dentistry and Surgery, which Dr.
Charlier founded in October 2003, operates from the AMC facility on a
regular basis.
Dr. Charlier graduated in 1984 from the College of Veterinary Medicine
at the University of Illinois. She has been a member of the American
Veterinary Dental Society since 1996, and a Fellow of the Academy of
Veterinary Dentistry since 2002. In 2003, Dr. Charlier was the
recipient of the Peter Emily Outstanding Candidate Award, given
annually to an outstanding veterinarian on successful completion of an
approved alternative pathway training program or residency program.
Last September, at the Annual Veterinary Dental Forum Meeting in
Portland, Oregon, Dr. Charlier was honored to receive the
"Fellow of the Year" award.The Academy of Veterinary
Dentistry presents this yearly award to an outstanding individual for
contributions made to further the field of veterinary dentistry. We are
grateful to have access to her knowledge and expertise, and appreciate
the specialized skills she and her surgical nurse, Stacy Bell, bring to
the Animal Medical Center.
For more information about Dr. Charlier and Fox Valley Veterinary Dentistry and Surgery, you may visit their website at www.fvvds.com.
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Practice Manager
Name: Lys Miller
Brief Education History: BA in English from Amherst College, Amherst, MA; Secondary Teaching Credential, Bay Area Writing Project, UC Berkeley
Joined AMC: August 21, 2006
What I like best about AMC:
I love the commitment everyone here has to providing the best medical
care to our patients, and the fact that we are passionate about animals
in general. It's a great place to work and I feel lucky to be here!
Favorite AMC Memories:
Snapshot memories of dogs and cats as they receive treatment and are
hugged, kissed and petted by our staff. I especially remember the
smiles as they see their parents again! I also love watching our
doctors perform surgery --it's so clear that their hearts are in it.
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s):
I have four rescued pets and they are a source of huge joy to me. I
have moved across the country (and back) more than once, always taking
a leap of faith and believing that it would work out, and so far, it
has . . . I believe in the innate goodness of people and the power of
the human spirit to prevail -- especially when it's touched by love. |
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Certified Veterinary Technicians
Name: Natalie Harris
Position: Lead Certified Veterinary Technician
Brief Education History: B.S. from University of Mississippi; AAS from Parkland College
Joined AMC: May of 2005
What I like best about AMC: My patients, of course! Also, working with fun, interesting and smart people.
Favorite AMC Memories: Are every time I see a pet reunite with his or her owner after having spent the night here.
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): Choosing a career where I can have a positive impact on the lives of animals.
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Certified Veterinary Technicians
Corrie, Liz, Natalie, Lys
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Name: Corrie McTigue
Position: Certified Veterinary Technician
Brief Education History: BS from Oregon State University; AS, Portland Community College Veterinary Technology Degree
Joined AMC: October 3rd, 2006
What I like best about AMC: The staff is all extremely caring and fun to work with. We practice excellent medicine at AMC.
Favorite AMC Memories: Finding homes for all of the rescued animals that our staff has taken in.
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s):
I climbed Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood; both felt like big accomplishments. I
am also proud of my education and for choosing a fulfilling career.
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Name: Kelsie Gardner
Position: Certified Veterinary Technician
Brief Education History: A.S. from Purdue University; B.S. from Purdue University with a focus in animal behavior and wildlife research
Joined AMC: February 10th, 2005
What I like best about AMC: Working with my friends and playing with all the puppies!
Favorite AMC Memories:
Doing surgery on a Labrador retriever that had eaten the top off of a
bottle of "Gorilla Glue." The glue kept expanding until it found the
walls of the stomach and the dog was completely blocked. There was a
ball of glue the size of a cantaloupe in his stomach, which we removed
successfully!
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s):
Doing research in a bush village in Alaska one summer. We translocated
brown and black bears out of the village so the moose population could
flourish and the natives would have food for survival.
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Name: Kristen Travieso
Position: Certified Veterinary Technician
Brief Education History: Bachelor's Degree from Indiana University and Associates Degree from Parkland College
Joined AMC: May 2002
What I like best about AMC: My wonderful co-workers and our flexible and ever-changing schedules
Favorite AMC Memories: The Weimaraner that ate the rubber ducky and every AMC holiday party!
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): My children --Madelyn (born June 30, 2005) and baby Maryn (born August 5th, 2007).
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Name: Liz Ross
Position: Certified Veterinary Technician
Brief Educational History: BS and Veterinary Technology Degree from Michigan State University.
Joined AMC: May 15, 2007
What I Like Best About AMC:
Being surrounded by the upbeat attitudes and an eagerness to learn and
teach. Everyone here exudes an unmistakable, positive energy which is
apparent to both clients and their pets. The environment is filled with
sincerity and dedication to every animal.
Favorite AMC Memories:
My unexpected working interview which ended up in the surgery suite.
Also, my very hectic first 15 minutes of my first day. Both were pretty
memorable moments here!
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s):
Living in Germany for a year, traveling all over the place, graduating
from MSU, promptly moving to Chicago and starting my first real career
here at AMC. More to come!
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Name: Luri
Position: Certified Veterinary Technician
Brief Education History: Associates degree from Parkland College
Joined AMC: January 1998
What I like best about AMC:
All staff members treat patients as if they were their own, with
respect and compassion and the fact that we practice quality
preventative medicine.
Favorite AMC Memories:
A certain well-known husky who was quite destructive and overly
rambunctious as a puppy. The owner got serious with him and our
recommendations and that same husky is now one of the most famous
training success stories.
Greatest Life Accomplishments(s):
Being lucky enough to have chosen a career I truly love and after all
of these years still look forward to going to work every day (even
though it's a 70 mile commute each way . . . )
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Veterinary Assistants
Mandy, Milissa, Debbie, Tara
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Name: Debbie
Position: Veterinary Assistant
Brief Education History: AA from Indian Hills Community College; Graduated from Carlson College of Massage Therapy, Stone City, IA, 08/99
Joined AMC: September 5, 2006
What I like best about AMC:
Unfortunately, I can't have pets in my building, but it is great to be
able to still have animals in my life on a daily basis. It is nice to
be working in a place where I can learn something new every day from
people I respect.
Favorite AMC Memories:
Any time I meet a nice Labrador or other large, enthusiastic dog, I
make a new favorite memory. I also enjoy meeting pretty kitties.
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): I have a lot to look forward to. . .
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Name: Mandy
Position: Veterinary Assistant
Brief Education History: Graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago
Joined AMC: August of 2004
What I like best about AMC: I love working for a closely knit woman owned and managed company. The ladies who work here are fantastic!
Favorite AMC Memories:
I wasn't working the day my kitty companion "Monday" came in to get
spayed. My co-worker Alicia thought I'd like to see what her ovaries
looked like, so she saved them for me after they were taken out. When
she showed Dr. Solomon the ovaries in formaldehyde, she told us in all
honesty that they were gross!
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s):
I am still pretty young and as a result, feel my accomplishments are
not yet extraordinary, but I consider my completion of college pretty
great – as well as the time I've had to discover new things about
myself and this world through my experiences thus far.
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Name: Milissa
Position: Veterinary Assistant/Surgical Assistant
Brief Education History: 4 years Undergraduate studies in Biology at Western Michigan University
Currently enrolled at Clayton College of Natural Health. Program of
studies: Bachelor of Holistic Nutrition/Doctor of Naturopathy.
Joined AMC: January, 2003
What I like best about AMC:
I enjoy being challenged daily to learn about animal medicine. I am
fortunate to work with intelligent people who are willing to share
their knowledge. Working with people who share the same love for
animals and who genuinely care for their well-being creates a great
working environment. And I must also mention my new-found love for the
teeniest tiniest little dogs!
Favorite AMC Memories:
One of my favorite memories is of a surgery night when several of us
stayed late to help Dr. Solomon save a seriously injured dog named
Maggie, that no one believed would make it through the surgery. After a
long and tough recovery, she is one happy, healthy and lucky little dog!
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): Finally finding the perfect balance between a successful 10 year marriage and a career choice I truly enjoy.
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Name: Tara
Position: Veterinary Assistant/Surgical Assistant
Brief Education History: Bachelor's degree in English from Michigan State University. Currently working on Vet Tech degree
Joined AMC: August, 2003
What I like best about AMC: My co-workers, the patients and getting strays placed into good homes.
Favorite AMC Memories: Finding a Barbie arm on an x-ray. Also, every time we see a stray go to a good home.
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s):
Taming my vicious attack cat through patience and determination.
Adopting my stray kitty and having her leg reattached. Enjoying each
day to the fullest with the great people in my life. |
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Receptionists
Dave, Katlin, Emily, Amanda, Sam
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Name: Alicia
Position: Reception
Brief Education History:
Too cool for school – no not really, PhD in Pirates and Super-heroes.
Okay, actually, my education is a never-ending and simply wonderful
experience.
Joined AMC: December 2002
What I like best about AMC: The casual and serious discussions about fecal matter give me a new perspective on life in general . . .
Favorite AMC Memories:
- Okashi,
A.K.A. Fluffy was a stray, neighborhood kitty of which the kids on the
block took care of. One day a client of ours brought her in for a check
up. Okashi popped out of her cardboard carrier and looked at me. It was
love at first sight. Our romance continues 2 years later.
- Preserving ovaries in formaldehyde
- Dr. Solomon searching for unidentified objects in a cat's intestines.
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): Keeping my "real" identity secret and saving the world from dangers beknownst and unbeknownst to its inhabitants. Aargh . . .
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Name: Amanda
Position: Reception
Brief Educational History: Graduated from UIC with a Bachelors in
Architecture
What I like best about AMC: I haven't been here for long, but so far, the
people.
Favorite AMC Memories: Getting a call from Lys and finding out I got the
job!
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): Moving away from my family and making it on
my own in the city. Oh, and I guess graduating college.
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Name: Chelsea
Position: Reception
Brief Education History: Bachelor's in Music from DePaul University and a Masters in Music from Northwestern University.
Joined AMC: For two years back in the nineties and again in July of 2005
What I like best about AMC: Great co-workers and fantastic patients make for a positive work environment.
Favorite AMC Memories: I have lots of them. Hard to pick just one!
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): Performing with one of my favorite Chicago ensembles: Music of the Baroque
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Name: Emily
Position: Lead Reception
Brief Education History: Ongoing . . .
Joined Animal Medical Center: August 12th, 2002
What I like best about AMC: (Well, besides the puppies and kitties . . . ) Not having to wear a suit.
Favorite AMC Memories:
Anytime we take what looks like a hopeless situation and turn it
around. For example, a couple of years ago a two-day old kitten was
left on our hands. She had been born with her umbilical cord wrapped
around her leg and nobody would take responsibility for her. Our staff
collectively took on the job of nursing her through her first weeks.
Even when she was a week old and it was clear that her damaged leg
would have to be amputated immediately, we refused to give up on her.
The surgery was preformed, an adoptive family was eventually found for
her and she is a beautiful, healthy (and very sassy) young lady!
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): Wait . . . it's not over yet, is it?
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Name: Kat
Position: Reception
Brief Education History: Ongoing. . .
What I Like Best about AMC:
Coming to work every day makes me happy; my fellow employees are
compassionate and our clients are amazing. Sam & A
a kinda rule
too. Oh, yeah: and updating lameness is my favorite.
Favorite AMC Memories: When
I took in a stray kitten, everyone was so helpful. Whether it was the
doctors taking time out of their busy days to check on him, or Lys
letting him camp out here at the clinic, everyone went out of their way
to help little “P.Bug”. Then, seeing him getting adopted made me know
that I have found the best job ever.
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): Being content with my life right now feels pretty great. . .
Name: Samuel
Position: Reception
Brief Educational History: MFA in Writing from Emerson College
Joined AMC: Mid-June 2007
What I Like Best About AMC: So far, everything rocks. . . .
Favorite AMC Memories: My memories of the place are just beginning.
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): The ongoing production of my electronic poetry journal, Sawbuck, which can be found at www.sawbuckpoetry.blogspot.com
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Building Maintenance
Name: David
Brief Education History: Graduated from Amundsen High School
Joined AMC: August, 2005
What I like best about AMC: The commitment and professionalism of the staff and being around the animals every day.
Favorite AMC Memories:
There was this little pug in for treatment and he was wearing this cool
little woolen black and red jacket. Anyhow, he was just looking at me
and I patted his head a little and he gave me the biggest smile I've
ever seen on a dog.
Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): Mine is still in the making. I would like to go back to school and get my degree. |
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Chicago, IL 60614
