SAGE

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Iowa State University
Internship Training: Cornell University
Residency Training: Cornell University
Certification: Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology) (2011)

Dr. Andrew Waxman attended Cornell University, where he majored in policy analysis and management and found his calling to veterinary medicine after graduating. He received his DVM from Iowa State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine (2007). Dr. Waxman then returned to Cornell University and completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship, and then continued on to complete a residency in cardiology. Dr. Waxman became a board certified cardiologist in 2011.

Dr. Waxman particularly enjoys the challenges of diagnosing and treating structural heart disease (heart muscle or valves), irregular heart rhythms, and congenital heart disease. He has exceptional skill in performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures such as pacemaker implantation or opening narrowed heart valves. While cats and dogs are the norm, he has been known to treat an occasional goat, rabbit, hedgehog, or ferret when one demands his expertise. When not practicing, Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife and young daughter.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Washington State University 1999
Residency Training: Dermatology for Animals 2002-2004

Dr. Stacey Holz is a graduate of Washington State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree with the WSU Honors College program. While at WSU, she was a member of the women’s cross-country and track teams for the WSU Cougars and participated in many veterinary service clubs. She received her DVM from the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Following graduation, Dr. Holz worked in small animal private practice for several years before completion of a Veterinary Dermatology Residency in 2004. Prior to joining SAGE, Dr. Holz has had the opportunity to work in private dermatology practice for many years as well as head the Dermatology service and teach the didactic Dermatology lectures at Washington State University to add to her experience.

Dr. Holz enjoys dermatology because of the ability to greatly improve the quality of life of the patient and their family. She is particularly interested in atopic dermatitis and immune-mediated skin disease, as well as long-term solutions that improve comfort.

When she’s not practicing, Stacey loves endurance cross-country mountain bike riding and racing, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys always cheering on her favorite Washington State University Cougars…GO COUGS! She’s the proud owner of two rescue Siberian huskies, Rudy and Derby.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Western University of Health Sciences
Internship Training: California Veterinary Specialists

Dr. Jason Dombrosky originally hails from Canada. He completed his undergraduate education at Eastern Oregon University in 2000 and received his DVM degree in 2010 from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. Prior to veterinary school, Dr. Dombrosky spent six years working as a dolphin trainer in Hawaii and Florida. Dr. Dombrosky has professional interests in wound care and surgery.
When he’s not at the hospital, Dr. Dombrosky enjoys sports and, most importantly, spending time with his wife and daughter, Dana and McCall.

Background & Education
Veterinary School: University of California, Davis

Dr. Zuhal Elhan started her veterinary career in 2003 at UC Davis’ Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Facility, where she worked for several years managing the herd and educating the public. Several years later, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science at UC Davis and began working as a veterinary technician. In 2012, she earned her DVM at UC Davis, and she has worked as an emergency veterinarian at regional hospitals ever since.

Zuhal likes the fast pace and variety of emergency care; other areas of special interest include dermatology and neo-natal care. She has cared for and fostered hundreds of kittens and “bottle babies” over the years and is very well-versed in the different treatment strategies that help these animals thrive.

Zuhal also has a passion for volunteerism and helping people and animals in need. Her volunteer experience includes working in a children’s orphanage in Costa Rica, assisting World Vets in Nicaragua and serving as an intake coordinator at a regional clinic for the homeless. Since 2008, she has worked with Fix Our Ferals and other organizations that spay and neuter cats.

In her free time, Zuhal enjoys tennis, salsa dancing and hiking. She also enjoys skijoring with her Malamute. Skijoring is fun for Zuhal and her dog (who has been trained to mush). He pulls her while she skis behind him. Zuhal’s pets include another dog and two cats, and many foster kittens. She has a kitten room in her home that is dedicated to helping kittens get the best start possible.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: University of California, Davis

Dr. April LeBlanc attended Mount Holyoke College, earning her BS in Biology with a minor in Studio Art (bronze sculpting). After graduation, Dr. LeBlanc spent time studying depression in economically challenged communities and the positive effect that pet ownership can have on those residents. Dr. LeBlanc received her DVM from UC Davis (1992). Prior to joining SAGE, Dr. LeBlanc worked for several years in the San Francisco Bay Area, beginning her career with the SF SPCA Animal Hospital, before turning her focus to emergency medicine.

When not practicing, April enjoys home improvement projects, gardening, good food, and motorcycles/cars. She is also the proud owner of two cats (Mildred and her sister Abigail) and two dogs (Frida and Chester). April knew that she was going to pursue a career in a veterinary medicine by the time she was seven years-old, and even told her mother so.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
Veterinary Internship Training: VCA, West Los Angeles
Diagnostic Pathology Graduate Training: University of Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
Residency Training: Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Angell Animal Medical Center

Dr. Beth Lieblick has worked in many facets of veterinary medicine, starting as a kennel assistant at a specialty hospital on the East coast when she was in high school. Her focus eventually shifted to pathology, and she spent several years assisting veterinary pathology residents in diagnostics at the University of Connecticut. From there, she moved to general practice, where she worked as a veterinary technician while earning her B.A. in Biology and Microbiology at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. She continued working as a veterinary technician while earning her M.S. in Pathology and Veterinary Science at the University of Connecticut.

Dr. Lieblick later moved to California, where she earned her DVM at the Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. She stayed in California for several years, working in emergency hospitals and veterinary referral centers in Norwalk and Los Angeles. In 2015 she returned to the East coast to complete her Emergency and Critical Care Residency at Angell Animal Medical Center, a branch of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

In her free time, Dr. Lieblick enjoys hiking, backpacking, kayaking, and enjoying the great outdoors with her dogs Ty and Poppy. She has two other pets – a tabby named Sharkbait and a turtle named Louie who has been in her life since she was nine years old.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Michigan State University

Dr. Bob Lukas graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University (MSU) in 1982. Born and raised in Detroit, Dr. Lukas returned there after veterinary school to practice for six years, the first two in general practice. Then he discovered the complexity, and the intensity of emergency veterinary work.

Dr. Lukas’ last position in Michigan was as Chief of Staff for an emergency practice. He moved to California in 1988 where he worked as a co-manager of an emergency practice in San Leandro for sixteen years. Dr. Lukas then came to Concord to co-manage Contra Costa Veterinary Emergency Center (now part of SAGE Concord) from 2004 until the end of 2007, when he became a partner in SAGE Veterinary Centers and helped establish a veterinary emergency facility in Dublin.

Bob has been a Tri-Valley resident since the early 90s with his wife, two kids, an English bulldog named Mabel, a French bulldog named Stitch, and guinea pigs named after various Star Wars characters (no cats due to family allergies for now). He is a booster for the Danville Mustang Fury soccer team and can be seen at area youth track meets and football games.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Tufts University
Internship Training: Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, Boston, MA

Dr. Lynne E. Morris attended the University of Maine where she earned her BS in Animal Science with a minor in Zoology. She graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1990, and then completed an internship in medicine and surgery at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, which is part of the MSPCA. The next 20 years were spent living a somewhat nomadic existence accompanying her Navy husband from duty station to duty station. Fortunately, she was able to practice emergency medicine almost everywhere they called home. Prior to joining SAGE in 2012, Dr. Morris practiced emergency medicine at the Veterinary Emergency Referral Center in Pensacola, Florida. After her husband’s retirement from the Navy, Lynne and her family spent a gap year traveling in Asia, South America, and Europe. They have settled in the Bay Area, and plan to make it their last move!

When not practicing, Lynne enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, cooking, and reading. Besides two boys and a husband, the family includes a chocolate Labrador mix, Samwise Gamgee the Brave; terrier mix Blondie; and a tabby cat named Woody.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, St. Paul, Minnesota and St. George’s University, College of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s, Grenada
Internship Training: BluePearl Veterinary Partners, New York

Dr. Gurdip Singh started his career in veterinary medicine working with cats and dogs at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley and eventually landed at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley where he primarily rescued avian species. He finished veterinary school in 2016 and moved into general practice, where he provided preventative care to animals. In June 2017, he began a Medicine and Surgery internship with a veterinary group in New York City, where he focused on emergency cases and stabilizing patients in the Intensive Care Unit. He enjoys the challenge and variety of cases in emergency medicine. Dr. Singh also appreciates the opportunity to stabilize patients, move them towards recovery, and help them return to their families.

Upon completion of the program in New York, Dr. Singh moved back to California to be closer to his family and friends.

In his free time, Dr. Singh enjoys many pastimes, including visiting with family, running, camping, dancing, and spending time with his Pit bull-Boxer mix, Johnny

Background & Education
Veterinary School: Colorado State University
Internship Training: Angell Animal Medical Center, Boston, MA
Residency Training: University of California, Davis
Certification: Diplomate ACVIM (2018)

Dr. Moria Borys is a board-certified internist who was drawn to veterinary medicine through her experiences with her own pets growing up. Her sister, Teresa, also a veterinarian, offered plenty of encouragement, too. Moria started her veterinary career at Colorado State University, where she earned her DVM degree in 2010. She then completed a rotating internship at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, MA. In 2012, she moved to Ames, IA, where she worked as a resident and an adjunct instructor of veterinary microbiology at Iowa State University. Moria received her Master of Science in Veterinary Microbiology and Preventative Medicine in 2014 and eventually found her way to California, where she completed a residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine at the University of California, Davis.

Moria enjoys all aspects of Internal Medicine but is especially interested in treating gastrointestinal and infectious disease, as well as managing renal issues and other chronic conditions. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, crafting, and seeing all of California’s many sites. She and her partner are the proud owners of a sweet, shy kitty named Ruby Vroom and an outspoken, energetic Chihuahua named Mayday.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Louisiana State University
Internship Training: Auburn University
Residency Training: Oklahoma State University
Certification: Diplomate ACVIM (2010)

Dr. Ensley was born and raised in southern Louisiana and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Louisiana State University. Following graduation, she completed a one-year rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at Auburn University in Alabama. Dr. Ensley then was accepted to and completed a three-year small animal internal medicine residency at Oklahoma State University. She completed all requirements and achieved diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in July of 2010. Prior to moving to the East Bay, Dr. Ensley worked in private practice in Anchorage, Alaska and Naples, Florida.

Dr. Ensley’ main interests include gastroenterology, endocrinology, hematology, and endoscopy. In her spare time, she is an avid runner, cyclist, and aspiring cook. She lives in Walnut Creek with her two very opinionated but lovable tortoiseshell cats, Katie and Torti. Dr. Ensley was drawn to veterinary medicine at a young age due to her love of animals and strives to provide her patients with the best possible care and compassion.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Colorado State University
Internship Training: All-Care Animal Referral Center, Fountain Valley, CA; North Carolina State University
Residency Training: University of California, Davis
Certification: Diplomate ACVIM (2006)

Dr. Jennifer Strasser is a graduate of the University of New Mexico, where she earned a BS in Biology. She received her DVM from Colorado State University (2001). Dr. Strasser completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at All-Care Animal Referral Center in Fountain Valley, CA (2002), as well as an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at North Carolina State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine (2003). Dr. Strasser also completed an internal medicine residency at the University of California, Davis (2005). She became board certified in internal medicine in 2006. Before joining SAGE, Dr. Strasser spent several years in private practice in Albuquerque, Seattle, and the SF Bay Area.

Dr. Strasser particularly enjoys the challenges of gastrointestinal, endocrine, and urinary tract diseases, and the diagnostic capabilities of endoscopy and ultrasound. When not practicing, Jennifer enjoys yoga, sailing, camping, skiing, and spending quality time with her family. She is the proud owner of two chocolate labs, who also happen to be her favorite hiking companions.

Background and Education
Veterinary School: Western University of Health Sciences
Internship Training: Colorado State University
Residency Training: Auburn University
Certification: Diplomate DACVIM (Neurology)

Dr. Erik Johnson received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California (2015), completed his small animal rotating internship at Colorado State University (2016), and went on to complete his residency in neurology and neurosurgery at Auburn University (2019). War Eagle!

Dr. Johnson enjoys that neurology is the accumulation of the major departments of the medical field: surgery, medicine, and imaging; by using a combination of these different fields he can accurately diagnosis and treat his patients. He knows that animals that become neurological are often significantly affected, and that can be very traumatic for a pet parent. He wants to help parents understand the actual disease process that is occurring in their loved one, and more importantly, support them through the emotional stress of having a neurological pet.
His specific clinical interests include feline neurology, spinal surgery, electrodiagnostics, and immune-mediated diseases.

When Dr. Johnson is not treating patients, he enjoys road-tripping to explore all of the US National Parks, finding the best oyster and wine happy hours in San Francisco, and attempting to be the best cat dad to Ace, Gary, and Newman. Additionally, he is an avid fan of the TV show The Bachelor and a Chicago sports fanatic for all teams not named The Cubs (Go Sox!).

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Washington State University 
Internship Training: North Carolina State University
Residency Training: North Carolina State University

 Dr. Ashley Bennett received her DVM from Washington State University (2011). She went on to complete her small animal rotating internship and her three-year Medical Oncology residency at North Carolina State University (2015).

Dr. Bennett has always been drawn to animals from a young age! She enjoys how Oncology combines the best of two worlds.  It allows her to be a part of an ever-changing field of cancer biology and also provides the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with her patients and their families. She feels lucky that she gets to focus on the quality of life of her patients every day in the clinic.

Her clinical interests include novel therapeutics, clinical research, and hematologic malignancies.

When Dr. Bennett is not seeing patients, she loves spending time with family, doing Pilates, and snuggling with her Shepherd Mix: Poppy, Golden Retriever: Penny, and her cat: Lu. She looks forward to exploring all that the Bay Area has to offer!

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: University of California, Davis
Internship Training: University of Missouri-Columbia
Residency Training: University of Missouri-Columbia
Certification: Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology) (2008)

Dr. Wendi Rankin is a graduate of UC Davis, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science (2002) and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (2004). She completed her Master of Science degree in Veterinary Biomedical Sciences (2008) for researching a protein in canine bladder tumors at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Rankin also completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship and oncology residency at the University of Missouri-Columbia (2008). She was board-certified in Medical Oncology in 2008 and joined SAGE that year. She has published several research articles on canine bladder tumors, as well as a chapter on drug interactions in a veterinary oncology textbook.

Dr. Rankin enjoys many aspects of oncology, and has a special interest in electrochemotherapy to treat various tumor types (including sarcomas, melanomas, mast cell tumors, oral tumors, and more). She was the first oncologist to use electrochemotherapy for veterinary patients in California and has been doing so since 2013. While she is very interested in the science of Oncology, above all, Dr. Rankin’s favorite aspect of oncology is being able to give treatment options so clients feel comfortable with their treatment decisions to improve and maintain their pet’s quality of life.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Internship Training: VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center
Residency Training: Tufts University

Dr. Chantal Tu grew up in California and earned a BS in Animal Biology from the University of California, Davis. Prior to starting veterinary school, Dr. Tu worked for one year at Davis as a post-graduate researcher studying feline genomics. Dr. Tu received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She then returned to California to complete a small animal rotating internship at VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center (SVRC). Following an oncology residency at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Tu returned to California to work in private practice at VCA SVRC for several years and is now excited to join the SAGE team.

Dr. Tu prides herself on being able to provide various treatment options that are specifically tailored to a family’s goals while providing compassionate care. Maintaining a good quality of life is a cornerstone that she emphasizes.

When not practicing, she enjoys traveling, hiking, yoga, and spending quality time with her husband and sweet mixed-breed rescue, Maggie. Dr. Tu’s interest in veterinary oncology blossomed during her internship after seeing how much a pet’s life could be improved and she is excited about the treatment options available in this cutting-edge field.

Background and Education:
Veterinary School: Ohio State University 
Internship Training: Tufts Cumming School of Veterinary Medicine
Residency Training: North Carolina State University 

Dr. Emilee Luckring received her DVM from Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine (2015) where she ranked #2 in her class and graduated summa cum laude. She then went on to complete her small animal rotating internship at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (2016) and her residency in small animal surgery at North Carolina State University (2019).

Dr. Luckring always knew surgery was the specialty she wanted to pursue because it combines anatomy, emergency, general medical knowledge, and problem-solving with the true ability to directly improve and save lives. She enjoys watching her patients improve and recover after the required procedure is done and especially how happy the pet parents are to see their 4-legged friend get better.

Her specific areas of interest within the surgical field include: cardiothoracic surgery, trauma and reconstructive surgery, minimally invasive and interventional procedures

When Dr. Luckring is not treating patients, you can catch her trying new foods and restaurants as well as local breweries and coffee shops. Hiking and running with Kale her pit bull mix. Listening to live music while cuddling her kitten, Frankie and traveling. Fun fact: she has performed surgeries on both her pets.

Dr. Emilee Luckring looks forward to meeting you.

Background & Education
Veterinary School: School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil (1985); American Veterinary Medical Association, Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (1991)
Residency Training: Small Animal Surgery, University of California, Davis
Fellowship: Don Low California Veterinary Medical Association Practitioner Fellowship, Anesthesia and Pain Management, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Certification: Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons (2003)

Dr. Celia Valverde’s passion for healing animals has taken her to every corner of the globe. She earned her DVM degree at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, University of São Paulo, Brazil in 1985.

Since 1991, Dr. Valverde has worked with primarily with small and exotic animals’ species at veterinary hospitals across the United States, including the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis where she was on the faculty in various positions from 1990 to 2013. She also completed her Small Animal Surgical residency at UC Davis and received extensive training in soft tissue, orthopedic and oncological procedures, as well as minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Valverde became a board-certified surgeon in 2003. She has lectured widely across the United States, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, and South Africa on topics ranging from minimally invasive surgery, wound management and bandaging to wildlife medicine rehabilitation.

Dr. Valverde’s volunteer efforts have been extensive and global. Early in her career, she volunteered as a field biologist and data collector in the Cantareira Rainforest State Park in Brazil, where she identified avian species across the coastal rainforest. Her rehabilitation work with avian species continued for years in Brazil, as well as in Alaska, where she studied breeding biology of Pacific White-fronted geese. During her years in Alaska, Dr. Valverde also served as a wildlife veterinarian working with seabirds and the Bald Eagle Recovery Program following the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. During breaks from her day job, Dr. Valverde traveled to Honduras to volunteer as a wildlife veterinarian in charge of rehabilitating endangered parrots and macaws. She has also been a veterinary volunteer with the Alaska Iditarod dog sled race and more recently during the Camp Fire rescue effort in Northern California.

Dr. Valverde is deeply committed to providing less invasive surgical options, exceptional pain management, and compassionate care to all her patients. When she’s not practicing medicine, she enjoys rowing on a team, ice climbing, fly fishing, kayaking, cycling, cooking, bird watching and gardening. Her pets are chickens who give her fresh, organic eggs!