Vet Tech Week 2021 WHO WE ARE WHEN THE STETHOSCOPES COME OFF October 17th-21st
This week we celebrate, recognize, and promote the valuable contributions of Veterinary Technicians to the Animal Medical Center, the veterinary profession, and society.
Thank You Veterinary Technicians! Our technicians are vital to everything we do. Thank you for the way you care for your patients, your incredible skill, and your dedication. The Animal Medical Center would not be what it is without you. We celebrate who you are at work, and who you are when your stethoscope comes off.
Name: STEPHANIE GUSCHKAT, LVT (PRIMARY CARE)
Who I am When My Stethoscope Comes Off: • I discovered my love for crochet about 3.5 years ago and turned it into a small business. I mostly get orders from friends and family, and love selling at craft markets. • I love anything Disney. My husband and I try to make a trip to WDW as often as we can. • I have 3 cats named Kitty, Max and Oliver and they’re basically perfect.
Name: JOANNE CHAN, LVT (SURGERY/ANESTHESIA + DENTISTRY)
Who I am When My Stethoscope Comes Off: Joanne also worked in Internal Medicine when she started at AMC. She is a talented artist with watercolors and pastels. She also has a beagle named Bagel and a cat named Toast.
Name: SILVIA SIMON, LVT (SCU AND NOW EXOTICS)
Who I am When My Stethoscope Comes Off: Silvia loves doing so many things, especially art related (photography, painting, decorating). Lately she has been making funny Tiktok videos. She also loves spending time outside, and a few years ago she asked for permission to plant a garden in front of her building.
Name: JESSE CORNELL, M.S.ED, LVT, VTS (ANESTHESIA/ANALGESIA) COORDINATOR OF CLINICAL EDUCATION (TECHNICIANS/ASSISTANTS) Photos with Jesse’s two sons, her smallest anesthesia patient, and her running hobby - Jesse recently ran her first half marathon!
Name: HAVEN BADE, LVT, VTS (CLINICAL SKILLS SPECIALIST/ECC/ANESTHESIA)
Photos of Haven on vacation in Korea, and examples of her impressive knitting projects.
Name: LINA BAYLEY, LVT (SS3 SERVICE TECHNICIAN/ANESTHESIA) “My hobbies are spending quality time with my family and my cat Onslow, gardening, traveling, and horseback riding. To appreciate life in all its forms nature, family, and friends.”
Name: VICTORIA LLONCH, LVT (SS4 SERVICE TECHNICIAN/ANESTHESIA) Victoria likes to hike with her canine sidekick Gepetto.
Name: SAMANTHA BAINE, LVT (ECC) My name is Samantha Baine, this is a picture of me with my dogs Coby and Freya. I took them upstate last fall. This is my favorite time of year not just because of the gorgeous leaves but I get to take my dogs on hikes during perfect weather. I love taking photos and they are always willing to pose!
Name: MONICA PAHIGIANNIS, LVT (ECC) Photo of Monica holding her cat “Lancelot” waking up from sedation, he can be feisty!
Name: LUISELLA AUDIFREDI, LVT (ECC) Photo with Luisella’s two rescue dogs from Egypt “Folla” and “Osita.” Folla is blind and Osita is her guide. Luisella also does lots of rescue work!
Name: LOURDES QUIZHPI, LVT (SS3 SERVICE TECHNICIAN/ANESTHESIA) Photo of Lourdes with her dogs “Kico” and “Coqui.”
Name: LORRAINE HOLLETT, LVT (IR/IE/ANESTHESIA) Photo traveling with her feline buddy “Vern” on the LIRR for his AMC check-up.
Name: KELLI TANKSLEY, LVT (SURGERY TEAM LEADER/ANESTHESIA) Photo with her sweet canine buddy “Parker” in a lavender field.
Name: JESSICA MEJIA, LVT (IR/IE/ANESTHESIA) Photo of Jessica on the job with her colleague “Max.”
Name: HANS FRIEDRICH, LVT (SURGERY TEAM LEADER/ANESTHESIA) Photo of Hans as a child in Brazil holding his cat Alice.
Name: MICHELLE DUFFY, LVT (CT/MRI)
Michelle runs our CT and MRI machines and also performs anesthesia. She is always so positive.
Name: JENNA MARTINEZ, LVT (SCU) Picture of Jenna and her niece, and another picture of her and her dog Gabbana. She enjoys spending time with family .
Name: FELIZA LOPEZ, LVT (EMERGENCY & CRITICAL CARE)
Who I am When My Stethoscope Comes Off: When I’m not taking care of patients in our ICU/ER… I enjoy traveling the world. I am also the lead nurse for Veterinarians International and oversee campaigns in Guatemala and Chile. Somehow animals seems to find me along the way.
Name: NANCY PATSOS, LVT, NURSE MANAGER The below photos showcase Nancy’s interest in travel outside of work.
Name: MICHELLE HARTMAN, LVT (EMERGENCY & CRITICAL CARE)
Shelly has been a part of AMC as a licensed Vet Tech in Emergency and Critical Care since 2016. In her free time she enjoys traveling around the world helping animals and children. She recently lived in Kenya at a children’s orphanage and South Africa at an education and rehabilitation center for baboons. Shelly has traveled to Guatemala and South Africa spaying and neutering felines and canines. She’s grown and learned so much from the AMC- it’s truly an amazing place to work and I feel so fortunate to learn from the best. Just wanted to shout out my chicken-angel-face, Mia. Thanks for always being a warm blanket to cuddle after a long shift. Attached are some photos from my experience around the world.