Best Health Food Store
Continued from page 69
• Trader Joe’s 8200 Stockdale Highway; 837-8863; traderjoes.com
Favorites • Lassen’s Natural Foods & Vitamins • Cone’s Health Foods
Best Hospital • Mercy Southwest Hospital 400 Old River Road; 663-6000; mercybakersfield.org
Favorites • San Joaquin Community Hospital • Bakersfield Memorial Hospital
Best Masseuse • Chelsea Brewer, Advanced Women’s Health Center 8501 Brimhall Road, Building 300; 410-2942; advancedwomenshealthcenter.com
Favorites • Massage by Brian Holloway • Lorre Webb, Wholistic Massage Spa
Best Medical Group • Kaiser Permanente Various locations including 5055 California Ave.; 334-2020; kp.org • San Dimas Medical Group • Bakersfield Family Medical Group
Best Optometrist • Stephen D. Ratty, O.D. 2222 E St.; Suite 1; 327-2681; stephenrattyod.com
From left: Veterinarians Paul Ulrich, Sukhjit Dhaliwal, and Irene Takata of Bakersfield Veterinary Hospital’s small animal facility pose with Gracie.
Favorites • Premier Eyecare Optometric Center • Fritch Eye Care Center
Best Pediatrician • Dr. Javier Bustamante 300 Old River Road, Suite 105; 663-4700; bakersfield-pediatrics.com
Favorites • Dr. Kaye Sykes • Dr. William DiNicola
Best Physical Therapist • Tim Terrio, P.T. Various locations including 3400 Calloway Drive, Suite 603; 377-1700; terriotherapy.com
Favorites • Michael Marotta, P.T. • Tamara Billings, P.T.
Best Plastic Surgeon Dr. Darshan Shah 4850 Commerce Drive; 865-5009; drshah.com
Favorites
Best Veterinarian: Bakersfield Veterinary Hospital
W
hen you are this big, it takes a team to win best veterinarian, said Dr. Paul Ulrich, CEO and one of the five owners of Bakersfield Veterinary Hospital. It also helps having a history that dates back to 1923. “I think it has to do with our history, our size, our scope of services and the quality of services we offer,” Ulrich said. “We think it is great that our clients take the time to vote for us online. It is an honor and reaffirmation of doing a good job of taking care of them and their pets,” he added about the hospital’s third win for best vet. Ulrich, who has been with Bakersfield Veterinary Hospital since 1989, is one of 14 doctors at the hospital, which is open 24 hours, seven days a week, with a doctor and staff available at all times.
• Dr. Dev Vipul • Dr. Gordon Mitts
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Bakersfield Life
May 2012
With locations for both small animals and large animals, Bakersfield Veterinary Hospital serves a broader client base. Although dogs are definitely the most common animal they see on a daily basis, they also care for their share of exotic animals, such as birds and reptiles. Ulrich used to work in zoo medicine, so he has treated giant cats and snakes. The hospital does business with those in the entertainment industry in Frazier Park. “As a vet, I like working on all animals, just not the ones that try to bite me,” he joked. He pointed out that the hospital has hired new doctors born and raised in Bakersfield who have chose to come back home. • Small animals: 8610 Harris Road; 327-4444 • Large animals: 4408 Wible Road; 832-1150 bakersfieldvet.com
Photo by Mark Nessia
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