Avian & Exotic Veterinary Staff Bios
The staff of The Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine celebrates the sacred bond between exotic pets and their owners. We strive to protect this relationship by nurturing an open, honest alliance with our clients and adhering only to the highest ethical and medical standards befitting these magnificent companions.
Veterinarians
Alexandra WilsonAlexandra Wilson, DVM, joined the practice in April, 2007. She received a B.A. in Neuroscience from Oberlin College and worked as a research scientist before pursuing veterinary medicine. Dr. Wilson studied at Ross University and Louisiana State University where she was able to work in one of the best exotic animal departments in the country. After completing her veterinary degree, Dr. Wilson became an associate veterinarian at a private practice in Washington State. In addition to her passion for exotic animal medicine, she also enjoys soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. Dr. Wilson is currently pursuing board certification in reptile and amphibean medicine.
Rina MaguireRina Maguire, BVSc is the newest veterinarian to join our team starting in September 2009. A native of Singapore, she grew up with an assortment of birds, rabbits, fish and turtles. She has always had a passion for exotic animals especially pet birds. During her undergraduate training, she completed externships at a bird specialist clinic in Sydney as well as the Singapore Zoo. After graduating with 1st class honors from the University of Sydney in 2006, she relocated to the US with the goal of specializing in avian medicine and surgery. After spending one year in general practice in San Francisco, Rina joined an avian and exotic internship program at the specialty practice, Island Exotics Veterinary Care, in Long Island New York. She completed one year of training under Dr. Heidi Hoefer at this exclusively avian and exotics practice. She enjoys soft tissue and orthopedic surgery and also has a special interest in bird behavior. Rina currently enjoys the company of her animated 3 year old African Grey named Tweety and her assortment of tropical fish.Veterinary Nursing Staff
Lorelei TibbetsLorelei Tibbetts, LVT, has been with the hospital since it opened in 2004 and is the practice manager as well as the director of nursing. Originally from Boston, she received her BA in journalism from Boston University. Lorelei’s lifelong love of animals, especially birds, eventually pulled her away from writing into the field of veterinary medicine. After graduating from the Veterinary Technology program at Mercy College in 2001, Lorelei has been working exclusively with birds and exotic pets. In addition to being an outstanding nurse with over 10 years experience, Lorelei’s special interest in exotic animals has allowed her to contribute to the field by teaching at local veterinary technology program, veterinary hospitals and avian conferences. She is also the head of the technician department of the Association of Avian Veterinarians and is also part of a group petitioning to create an avian and exotic technician specialty. She shares her home with a Jenday Conure and a Double Yellow Headed Amazon.
Prep Room
Serena YeungSerena Yeung recently graduated from Mercy College with a degree in veterinary technology. Her love of exotic animals is the result of interning at an avian specialty store and the Staten Island Zoo. Serena is busy studying for her licensure exam in December! She is owned by a Maximilian Pionus, a Goffin’s Cockatoo, a Meyer’s Parrot, and a rabbit. In her free time, she enjoys designing avian habitats.
Melissa (aka Mo)Melissa Ortiz, LVT (aka Mo) is a graduate of LaGuardia Community College. Exotic animals have always been her passion, she has been working with them in pet stores, veterinary hospitals, and zoos for the past 13 years. Of all the aspects of exotic pet medicine, Mo excels at and enjoys the challenges of anesthesia. Mo’s own pets consist of a ball python, betta fish, bearded dragon, chinchilla, budgie, sun conure, two cats, and a dog.
KelvinKelvin started working for us as a Veterinary Assistant in October, 2009. He attended Connecticut College for Environmental Studies and earned his B.A. in Botany. Before working with exotic pets, Kelvin worked as a Veterinary Assistant at a dog and cat hospital in Orlando, Florida. He is now hooked on exotics and loves coming to work every day to see what new and exciting cases he will be a part of helping. Sadly, his living arrangements don’t allow him to have pets of his own right now, but he feels lucky to spend so much time at work diligently caring for all the pets here at the Center. Receptionists
LaurenLauren spent several years working on the human side of medicine in her hometown of Nashville, TN before re-locating to The Big Apple where she decided she wanted to spend her time working with animals and other animal lovers. She lives with a Pomeranian, two lovebirds, and a blue crowned conure.
TracyTracyAfter studying Human Behavior at Long Island University, Tracy decided to follow one of her passions and attend Culinary School. Our “resident chef” says that working at the Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine allows her the opportunity to combine both of her passions: the culinary arts and love for animals. Whether preparing a gourmet meal for her family and friends or for a catering job, Tracy always shares some treats with her Rottweiler, Zora.
Porter
Delroy
Delroy is the newest part of our Custodial Staff from the HIRE program. Delroy enjoys keeping the hospital clean and safe for all of our patients. He is a true exotic animal lover, and his pets include a rabbit named Charlie, and 3 Red Eared Sliders named Shelly, Shelton, and Shellina.