VCA Great Lakes Veterinary Specialists

Bios

• Amanda Elpiner

  DVM

  Dr. Amanda Elpiner graduated with honors from The Ohio State University in 2001 with a Bachelors of Science in molecular genetics. In 2005 she earned an honors degree as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ohio State's College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Elpiner then completed a small animal medical and surgical internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls, NJ and completed a small animal medical oncology residency at the Veterinary Oncology and Hematology Center in Norwalk, CT. She received her board certification in Oncology from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Dr. Elpiner enjoys spending her free time with her dog, Quinn, and cat, Emma.

• Eileen Heldmann

  VMD

  Dr. Heldmann joined VCA Great Lakes Vererinary Specialists in 2002. Prior to that, she worked as a Surgical Specialist in New Jersey. Eileen earned a Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris degree and completed an internship and three-year residency at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Heldmann also holds a law degree and had successful careers as an attorney and perfusionist before entering veterinary medicine. Dr. Heldmann is a world traveler. She lives with her three dogs, Eddie, Olive and Sophie. .

  Education:

• Sara Irom

  DVM

  BS - Dartmouth College DVM - The Ohio State University Internship - Animal Medical Center Residency - The Ohio State University. Dr. Sara Irom earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from The Ohio State University, where she was inducted into the Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society. Following graduation from veterinary school, Dr. Irom completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. After her internship, Dr. Irom returned to The Ohio State University to pursue a three-year residency in small animal internal medicine, which she finished in 2010. During her residency, she completed a Masters of Science Thesis entitled 'High Dose Antimicrobial Protocols for Canine Urinary Tract Infections'. She was also awarded the Clinical Teaching Excellence Award in 2010. She resides in Moreland Hills with her fiance, her dog, Bruno and her cat, Chloe. Sara also enjoys horseback riding, biking, and snow skiing.

  Education:

• Emma F. Brawn

  DVM

  Emma Brawn completed her undergraduate training at Penn State University before pursuing her doctorate of veterinary medicine at the University of Illinois. Dr. Brawn practiced in Texas prior to joining VCA Great Lakes Veterinary Specialists in 2007. Emma and her husband, Pete, welcomed their first child, Owen, in April 2009. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and cheering for Penn State Football.

• Karen Ganofsky

  DVM

  Biography coming soon!.

• Jessica Bahl

  DVM

  Biography coming soon!.

• Kathryn Brackney

  DVM

  Dr. Brackney earned her DVM from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, Kate completed a rotating general internship at 5th Avenue Veterinary Specialists (New York, NY) and then went on to complete a surgical internship at Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists in Akron, OH. In her spare time, Dr. Brackney enjoys spending time with her two dogs, music, sewing, baking, hiking, yoga and traveling.

• Katie Frantz

  DVM

  Dr. Katie Frantz was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated with honors from Ohio University with a BS in Biology in 2000. Following her undergraduate studies she pursued a Master of Science degree in Environmental Studies, and traveled to Ecuador to investigate the incidence of Chagas disease in canine populations. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from The Ohio State University, as a member of the Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society, in 2006. Dr. Frantz then moved to Norwalk, CT where she completed a one year internship in medicine and surgery at Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center. She went on to complete a three year residency in small animal emergency and critical care at Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg, MD. During her residency she published an article on Thermal Injury, and was given the resident teaching award in 2010. Dr. Frantz is board certified from the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. Her areas of special interest include sepsis, respiratory disease and mechanical ventilation. In her free time, Dr. Frantz enjoys spending time with her son Christopher, her dogs Foster and Tilly, and her 5 cats.