Congratulations to our HAH 65th Anniversary High School Scholarship Recipients!!!

November, 2012, signified the Hollywood Animal Hospital's 65th year serving the South Florida animal community. What started  as a small, two doctor practice has grown to become one of the largest general, specialty and referral practices in South Florida. This distinction is due in a large part to the tremendous community support we have enjoyed over the years. As our way of saying "Thank You" for that support we have awarded three Broward County high school seniors with $500 scholarships. The scholarships were provided to students planning on studying veterinary science, agriculture or other animal-specific careers in college. The recipients are:

Ashley Miller, 18 of Tamarac

South Broward High School.  
Ms. Miller plans to study Veterinary Technology at Miami Dade Medical Center this fall.

  

 

Corey Fisher, 18, of Hollywood
Chaminade Madonna College Preparatory School.
Mr. Fisher will begin his Veterinary Science studies at the University of Florida this fall.

Kimberly Magee, 18, of Pembroke Pines
McArthur High School.  
Ms. Magee plans on studying Zoology/Animal Biology at Florida Atlantic University this fall.

The HAH presented each student with the scholarship at their respective high school's annual awards ceremony.

In 1998, HAH set up a scholarship fund at the University of Florida in the names of the hospital's founders, Dr. Clarence and Lucille Dee. To date 86 veterinary students have received a total of $87,000.

"The high school scholarship program was created in the same tradition as the college scholarship fund in my parents' name," said Dr. James Dee, DVM, partner at HAH and son of Clarence and Lucille Dee.  "What better way to commemorate our 65 years of serving the South Florida pet community than by awarding scholarships to students who wish to devote their lives to animals."

Congratulations to all of the students!!!

February Team Member of the Month- Sandy

We would like to recognize a team member that have been at the HAH since July 1986.  Most of our clients know her by name.  The HAH staff  knows her as the one who will bend over backwards to help clients-even if it means breaking protocol!!!   She always puts the clients and their pets needs first (which we greatly appreciate!)  

One thing we can always count on is that Sandi Raymond will be answering the phones and making sure that the rest of us are on our toes doing what’s best  for our clients!  Thank You Sandi!!

January- Patient of the Month "Sarah"

Sarah, a 10year old, collie mix has been a patient of the HAH since 2006. From annual exams to a mass removal in 2009 her history of care was typical.

However, in 2011, Sarah collapsed and was brought to the HAH for evaluation. Blood work showed abnormalities only in her PCV (packed cell volume). The nature of her presentation and this abnormal blood level alarmed Dr. Diamant and she discussed the possible of a Polycythemia Vera diagnosis. To confirm, Dr. Diamant ordered an ultrasound and bone marrow biopsy.

Polycythemia vera is a bone marrow cancer mainly causing the production of too many red blood cells.  Some of the changes associated with Polycythemia vera are abnormal motor skills, brick red gums, pale gums, nose bleeds and an enlarged spleen.

Once the diagnosis was confirmed, Sarah’s owners were faced with treatment options. This kind of blood cancer is treated in primarily two ways; chemotherapy and phlebotomy.

The chemotherapy for polycythemia versa is costly and Sarah’s owners opted for phlebotomy first. Phlebotomy is used to decrease blood thickness. One unit of blood (about 1 pint) is removed weekly until the hematocrit level (PCV) is less than 45. Therapy is continued as needed.

Currently, Sarah is under the care of Dr. Carlos and comes in approximately every three weeks and has blood drawn two times. Each time about 300mls is removed and her PCV is checked. Sarah is a wonderful patient. She seems unaffected by the blood draws and loves the extra attention she gets.

Sarah is regular at the HAH and always receives a regulars welcome. We are so pleased with her progress and anticipate continued success. We are pleased to honor her as patient of the month!

December-Team Member of The Month!!!

December Team Member of the Month- Sue Dunkelberger

Sue Dunkelberger has been a HAH team member for a total of 27 years.  Her first roll was as our Receptionist Supervisor and after a hiatus into human medicine she returned in 1995 as a dedicated member of our elite group of phone operators.

Sue brings energy and enthusiasm to the phone room. By decorating for all the holidays, Sue keeps spirits high while our team assists clients as they call in.  No matter the curve balls thrown at her personally, she always manages to bring her glowing personality to work! We are grateful she has been part of the HAH for all these years and are pleased to honor her as Team Member or the Month!

Team Member of the Month- Lee Ashton

Team Member of the Month- Lee Ashton

We would like to honor Lee Ashton by making her HAH’s team member of the month for November 2012.  Lee has worked in the hospital kennel since December 13, 1996.  Lee is a soft spoken woman…unless she feels you’re not doing what is best for a patient or the hospital in general!

Lee is definitely set in her ways and knows how she wants things done. That’s why we are going to miss her so much when she moves to Pennsylvania in December.   We want to wish her well and should she decide the “sunny south” is the place to be, we hope this is the first place she stops!

October Team Member of the Month!

October Team Member of the Month!!

Congratulations Denise Sam!

Denise has worked with us since August of 1993.  Her job duties have change many times over the years.  Denise started as a receptionist, phone operator and then she became a major player in our accounts receivable department. Most recently she has become involved with our IT team and helps in keeping all of the odds and ends in order around the hospital. 

We can always count on Denise to offer a hand  where ever needed and always with a smile!