MEET OUR CARING TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL VETERINARIANS & MANAGEMENT
WEST PARK ANIMAL HOSPITAL PARTNERS
BORYS PAKUSH, DVM
![Picture of Borys Pakush](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Borys2-240x300.jpg)
Partner Veterinarian
R. KANE HENDERSON, DVM
![Picture of R. Kane Henderson, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Kane-1-240x300.jpg)
Partner Veterinarian
KARI SWEDENBORG, DVM
![Picture of Kari, Swedenborg, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Kari-240x300.png)
Partner Veterinarian
MEGAN CULLER, DVM
![Picture of Megan Culler, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Megan-240x300.jpg)
Partner Veterinarian
SCOTT ZIELINSKI, DVM
![Picture of Scott Zielinski, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Scott-240x300.jpg)
Partner Veterinarian
ASSOCIATE DOCTORS
NICOLE PLANTNER, DVM
![Picture of Nicole Plantner, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Nicole-P-240x300.jpg)
Associate Veterinarian
ELIZABETH LORENZ, DVM
![Picture of Elizabeth Lorenz, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Beth-225x300.jpg)
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Beth Lorenz was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. She graduated from The University of Findlay with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2007 and from The Ohio State University with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. Her interests include internal medicine, dermatology, and feline behavior issues. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children as well as hiking, visiting National Parks, gardening and reading. Their four-legged kids include one dog, one cat, two tortoises, two geckos, and four hermit crabs.
Kristie Thompson, DVM
![Picture of Kristie Thompson, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Kristie-240x300.png)
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Thompson grew up in northeast Ohio, received her Bachelor of Science in biology from The Pennsylvania State University in 2000 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 2006. Dr. Thompson worked at West Park Animal Hospital her first year out of veterinary school and then moved to the Kruger National Park in South Africa with her husband where she lived for thirteen years before moving back to Ohio in 2020. Dr. Thompson received her registration to practice in South Africa in 2008 and while there, practiced in mixed animal clinics and practiced wildlife medicine. Dr. Thompson is excited to be back at West Park Animal Hospital. She currently resides on the east side of Cleveland with her husband, Charles, their three children Andrew, Zoe and Kyle and two cats Poppy and Turtle. In her free time, Dr. Thompson enjoys traveling, exercising, baking and spending time with her family.
Michelle Leathem, DVM
![Picture of Michelle Leathem, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Michelle--240x300.png)
Associate Veterinarian
KRISTEN MIERZWIAK, DVM
![Picture of Kristen Mierzwiak, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Kristen-240x300.jpg)
Associate Veterinarian
Rebecca Lazarus, DVM
![Picture of Rebecca Lazarus, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Laz-240x300.jpg)
Associate Veterinarian
Anna Miller, DVM
![Picture of Anna Miller, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Anna-240x300.jpg)
Associate Veterinarian
Natalie Sywyj, DVM
![Picture of Natalie Sywyj, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Natalie-240x300.jpg)
Associate Veterinarian
MELISSA ROHRS, DVM
![Picture of Melissa Rohrs, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Melissa-240x300.jpg)
Associate Veterinarian
Yesenia Garcia-Vega, DVM
![Picture of Yesenia Garcia-Vega, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Yesenia-240x300.jpg)
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Yesenia Garcia-Vega was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and went on to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 2022. Her veterinary interests include preventative medicine, emergency medicine, neurology, dermatology and soft tissue surgery. Dr. Garcia-Vega is excited to make the move to the Cleveland area along with her husband, their basset hound Droopy and their cat Pirata. In her spare time, she enjoys binge watching Disney movies, exploring local restaurants and hosting game nights with family and friends.
EMERGENCY DOCTORS
Nicole Sypert, DVM
![Picture of Nicole Sypert, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Nicole-S-240x300.jpg)
Emergency Veterinarian
Dr. Nicole Sypert was born and raised in North Olmsted, Ohio. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences with a minor in Pharmaceutical Sciences and from Midwestern University in Arizona with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. Her interests include emergency and feline medicine, neurology, and anesthesiology. Currently, she resides in the Cleveland area with her husband. They have a one-eyed rescue dachshund mix named Copper as well two rescue cats named Spooky and Stout. In her spare time, Dr. Sypert enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling.
Sophie Cressman, DVM
![Picture of Sophie Cressman, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Sophie-240x300.jpg)
Emergency Veterinarian
Dr. Sophie Cressman grew up in Ohio and went on to received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 2022. Her interests include emergency and shelter medicine with a special interest in international volunteerism. In her free time, she enjoys traveling the globe to explore different cultures (and food), spending time with loved ones, and going on outdoor adventures!
Allison Wise, MVB
![Picture of Allison Wise, MVB](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Allison-240x300.jpg)
Emergency Veterinarian
Dr. Allison Wise was born and raised in Westlake, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences from The Ohio State University. She went on to earn a veterinary degree from University College Dublin (Ireland) in 2022. Her veterinary interests include emergency medicine and surgery. She enjoys spending time on the lake, cheering on Cleveland sports, and traveling in her spare time.
Santiago Bustamante, DVM
![Picture of Santiago Bustamante, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Santi-240x300.jpg)
Emergency Veterinarian
Dr. Santiago Bustamante was born and raised in Colombia, which allows him to provide fluent care to Spanish speaking clients. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2022. Prior to attending veterinary school, he worked as a dog trainer and then a veterinary technician, allowing him to gain insight of the diverse facets involved in pet care. Dr. Bustamante enjoys the varied challenges presented by the unpredictable nature of emergency medicine, though he has a special interest in pain/stress management and behavior modification. When not working, he enjoys going for nature hikes, playing video games and trying out new food recipes.
Kim Pintabona, DVM
![Picture of Kim Pintabona, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/KimPinta-240x300.jpg)
Emergency Veterinarian
Dr. Kim Pintabona was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She graduated from PennWest Edinboro with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 2018 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 2023. Her interests include emergency medicine, critical care and nutrition. She currently resides in Cleveland with her cat Ophelia that she rescued when she moved to Columbus for veterinary school. Outside of work she enjoys traveling, attending concerts and spending time with family and friends.
Part-time / Relief EMERGENCY DOCTORS
KIMBERLY PARKER, DVM
![Picture of Kimberly Parker, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/KimParker-240x300.jpg)
Emergency Veterinarian
Dr. Kimberly Parker was born and raised in Northeastern Ohio. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Albion College in 2000 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 2006. She joined West Park Animal Hospital as an emergency veterinarian in 2008. She relocated to beautiful Arizona for 1.5 years, but returned home in 2018 to rejoin the emergency staff. Dr. Parker is passionate about hospice and end-of-life care for companion animals. In October 2017, she became the first veterinarian in Ohio to become certified in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (CHPV) through the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC). Dr. Parker resides in Wellington, Ohio with her husband James. They share their home with many critters including 6 dogs, 3 cats, 2 cockatoos, and a lizard. In her spare time, she enjoys attending live music events and traveling.
Gwen Gross, DVM
![Picture of Gwen Gross, DVM](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Gwen-240x300.jpg)
Associate Veterinarian
Management Team
Callan | Hospital Administrator
![Picture of Callan, Hospital Administrator](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Callan2-e1675090366292-186x300.png)
Jason | Human Resources Manager
![Picture of Jason, HR Manager](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Jason-211x300.jpg)
Lacey | Daytime Customer Service Representative Manager
![Picture of Lacey, CSR Manager](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/me-and-prim-e1637159163381-270x300.jpg)
Katrina | Emergency Customer Service Representative Manager
![Picture of Katrina, ER CSR Manager](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Katrina-Y-214x300.jpg)
Katie | Head Daytime Registered Veterinary Technician
![Picture of Katie, Daytime Head RVT](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Katie-218x300.jpg)
Lexy | Head Emergency Registered Veterinary Technician
![Picture of Lexy, ER Head RVT](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/LexyHines-258x300.jpeg)
EMILY | Head Daytime Veterinary Assistant
![Picture of Emily Head Daytime Vet Assistant](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Image-27-e1665064186856-213x300.jpeg)
Faith | Head Emergency Veterinary Assistant
![Picture of Faith, Head Emergency Vet Assistant](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Faith-1-240x300.jpg)
Julio | Animal Care Team Manager
![picture of Julio, ACT Manager](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Julio-199x300.jpg)
Colleen | Housekeeping Manager
![Picture of Colleen, Housekeeping Manager](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Colleen-239x300.jpg)
Tiffany | Marketing & Media Manager
![Picture of Tiffany, Marketing & Media Manager](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/WebsitePic-223x300.jpg)
Heather, RVT | Inventory Manager
![Photo of Inventory Manager Heather](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Untitled-design-4-194x300.png)
Andrea | Diagnostics Manager
![Picture of Andrea, Diagnostics Manager](https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Andrea-e1655494694394-221x300.jpg)
ABOUT US
Thank you for your Cleveland Hot List votes. We were voted #1 again for the 5th year in a row! We are happy to continue to serve the community and appreciate your support.