EMERGENCY/CRITICAL CARE

Brett Levitzke, DVM

Medical Director

Brett received his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Cornell University in 1994 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. Upon graduation, he completed a rotating one year internship in Emergency, Surgery, and Internal Medicine at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, NJ. He then parlayed his keen interest in emergency medicine into a position as medical director of the Brooklyn Veterinary Emergency Services. Sensing the need for a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital, Brett was the founding partner of the Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group in the spring of 2005, where he has since been working as the Medical Director and emergency/critical care clinician. His special interests are cases of trauma – including vehicular and high rise.

When he is not working, you can find Brett cheering on his beloved Georgia Bulldogs in football, saltwater fishing, or playing Texas Hold’Em. He shares his apartment with his Springer Spaniel Toby and cat Broccoli.

Timothy P. Anderson, DVM

Tim received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from William Jewell College, a Masters in Animal Science from California State Polytechnic, and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin. His post-graduate work included a rotating one year internship in Internal Medicine and Surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and a one year Surgical Internship at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists in Jacksonville, Florida. Tim has been employed at the Brooklyn Veterinary Emergency Services and then the Veterinary Emergency Referral Group since 2004, and has special interest in soft tissue surgery, especially gastrointestinal procedures.

In his spare time, Tim enjoys bicycling, cooking with his wife, and freshwater fly fishing. He is joined at home by his Irish Setter Mix Nora and his cats Ian, Hank, and Anna.

Daniel Gray, DVM

Dan received his Bachelor of Scince in the field of Cell Biology/Neuroscience from Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ in 2004.  Shortly after graduation Dan was accepted into St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies where he spent his first three years of veterinary school.  His veterinary education was completed in 2008 at The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.  Since his interests have always revolved around emergency medicine, Dan completed a rotating internship in Emergency/Critical Care, Internal Medicine, and Surgery at the New England Animal Medical Center in West Bridgewater, MA in 2009.
Upon completion of his internship, Dan joined the VERG team as a staff emergency clinician, where he has special interests in Cardiac Emergencies, Emergency surgical procedures, and client education.

In his spare time Dan enjoys golfing with his father, spending time with his family and his pets, and also hitting the beach with his friends in the summer.

Jennie Kim, VMD

Jennie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Yale University in 2002. After graduation, she worked in a neurology laboratory while enrolled in a post-baccalaureate science program at the University of Pennsylvania. She then earned her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008. After finishing her rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at VERG in 2009, Jennie has stayed on as a staff emergency doctor.

Jennie’s interests outside of veterinary medicine include running, reading, knitting and spending time with her husband and her best furry friend, Bagels (the cat).

Yulien Sun, BVSc

In 2004, Yulien graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology. She then received her Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Melbourne in 2008. Upon completing her one-year rotating internship in small animal emergency, medicine and surgery at VERG in 2010, Yulien has stayed on as a staff emergency doctor.

During her spare time, she enjoys training in tae kwon do, running, swimming, and reading. She shares her apartment with her tree-climbing Jack Russell terrier named Ky.

Katie Grzyb, DVM

Katie received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Providence College in 2004 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 2009. She continued her clinical training at University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.  Katie completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group 2009-2010.  She remained with VERG as an emergency staff clinician.  Katie has special interests in trauma cases, soft tissue surgery as well as the human-animal bond.

Originally from Rhode Island, Katie enjoys spending  her free time visiting family, jogging, exploring the restaurants in Brooklyn and spoiling her high maintenance tortoiseshell feline, Cosette AKA Queen of the household.

Jennifer Kingsley, DVM, MPH

Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of California, Davis in 2005.  Jennifer then obtained a dual degree in Veterinary Medicine and Public Health at St. George’s University in 2010.  Her clinical training was completed at the University of Georgia.  Jennifer’s professional interests include Emergency Care, Critical Care, and Public Health.

Originally from California, Jennifer enjoys going to the beach, horseback riding, watching movies and spending time with her husband and cuddly cat, Dutchess.

Kate Murphy, VMD

Kate received her Bachelor of Arts in Biophysical Chemistry from Dartmouth College in 2005. She then went on to earn her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine , and graduated in 2010. Kate completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at VERG, and continued on as a staff emergency doctor.

Outside the clinic, Kate enjoys cooking, reading, exploring New York with her husband, and sharing her comfy couch with her greyhound, Hobbes and cats Sheba and Shrimpy.

Stephanie C. Pylka, DVM

Stephanie received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota in 2007. She then earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2011 from the University of Minnesota and also worked on a Masters on Public Health. Stephanie’s professional interests include Emergency Care, Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Public Health.

Originally from northern Minnesota, Stephanie enjoys being outdoors, fishing, and spending time with her lab, Joe, and two cats, Mousse and Sunny.

Angela O’Donnell, DVM

Angela O’Donnell received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Manhattan College in 2007. She then went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 2011. In addition to General Medicine, Angela has a strong interest in Nutrition, Behavior and Business Management.

Outside of the clinic, Angela enjoys spending time with her husband and cuddling with her dogs Jasper and Ellie, and cat Annie. She also enjoys practicing dressage with her horse, Onyx in upstate NY.

Amy Adelman, DVM

Amy received her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Cornell University in 2006. She then went on to obtain her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 2011. Amy professional areas of interest include Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Behavior.

Amy enjoys traveling, camping, and quality time with family, friends, and her two cats, Panda and Scout.

Philip S. Fico, DVM

Phil received his Bachelor of Science from Fordham University in 2007. He then went on to earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Saint George’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. He completed his clinical training at the University of Georgia. His professional interests include: Dentistry, Anesthesia and Critical Care.

Born and raised in Westchester County, Phil enjoys spending time outdoors running, fishing, playing sports and hiking. He also enjoys spending some quality time with his family and three energetic dogs Sandy, Honey and Oreo.

Inbal Lavotshkin, DVM

Inbal received her Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Natural Resources Management from Rutgers University in 2005. She then attended Iowa State University where she obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. Inbal’s professional interests include Emergency and Critical Care, Shelter Medicine, and Zoo/Wildlife Medicine.

Originally from Israel yet having grown up in Northern New Jersey, Inbal enjoys traveling and volunteering abroad as well as hiking and outdoors activities. She enjoys spending time with her family and affectionate giant, her Great Dane, Sampson.

Danielle Palatt, DVM

Danielle received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Emory University in 2004. She spent the next several years working in Public Relations Manhattan, before going back to school at Hunter College for her veterinary sciences. Danielle then continued her veterinary education at St. George’s University and was awarded her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. She completed her clinical year of training at the University of Pennsylvania.

During her free time, Danielle enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her friends and family. As a native New Yorker, Danielle now lives in Brooklyn, with her handsome dog Griffin.

Sarah McCready, DVM

Thomas Shaw, BVetMed

After receiving a Bachelors in Biology from Oxford University in 2003, Tom remained in Oxford for a few years to work in Animal Behaviour research. He then moved to London and obtained his Veterinary Degree in 2011 from The Royal Veterinary College. Tom is interested in all aspects of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery but has a special interest in Neurology and Neurosurgery.

In his leisure time Tom enjoys cycling, rowing, swimming, exploring New York with his wife and catching the occasional Opera. At home, he enjoys doting on his elderly but adorable cat Monty.

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