Linda Amezcua, DVM
After completing her veterinary training at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1977, Dr. Amezcua co-founded Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital with Dr. Nancy Craig in 1984. In 2005 she also co-founded Pedro Point's Coastal Cat Clinic with Dr. Craig.
Dr. Amezcua is a general practitioner with a special interest in pocket pets (rabbits, ferrets, and rodents such as guinea pigs, mice, rats, and hamsters), as well as soft tissue surgery.
Nancy Craig, VMD
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Craig co-founded Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital with Dr. Linda Amezcua in 1984 and Coastal Cat Clinic in 2005. Dr. Craig is a general practitioner with a special interest in feline medicine and soft tissue surgery.
Angelique Cucaro, DVM, ABVP
Dr. Angelique Cucaro, our Senior Associate Veterinarian, is a graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in canine and feline practice. This organization is recognized by the American Veterinary Association (AVMA) to test and certify veterinarians as specialists in clinical practice.
Dr. Cucaro is a general practioner and completed a prestigious Donald G. Low-CVMA Practitioner Fellowship with the UC Davis Small Animal Abdominal Ultrasound Service. We are proud to be able to offer in-house abdominal ultrasonographic services to our clients.
Ilana Strubel, DVM
Dr. Ilana Strubel is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and recipient of the Jefferson Award for her work with the pets of San Francisco's homeless population through VET SOS, an organization she founded. In addition to her work with VET SOS, Dr. Strubel holds an extensive history of community service. She served as president of the Board of Directors of Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS), and was a founding director on the Board of Rocket Dog Rescue.
Dr. Strubel is a general practitioner with a special interest in behavioral medicine and ultrasonography. She has completed a prestigious Donald G. Low-CVMA Practitioner Fellowship with the UC Davis Behavior Service, and is currently a member of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. We are pleased to offer behavioral consultations with Dr. Strubel.
Donna Tanzella , DVM
Dr. Donna Tanzella is a graduate of Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. She also holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a general practitioner and has practiced exotic, pocket pet, avian, canine and feline medicine. Currently she is focused on feline medicine and surgery. Dr. Tanzella sees appointments exclusively at Coastal Cat Clinic.
Lisa Eshman, DVM
Dr. Lisa Eshman is a graduate of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.
Dr. Eshman is one of our friendly and compassionate general practitioners, with special interests in soft tissue surgery, trauma and dog/cat emergency medicine. She enjoys being involved in all phases of care, with an emphasis on preventative medicine, client communication, and pain control. Dr. Eshman has also taken an important role in the education of future veterinary technicians, as she is a part time instructor at Foothill College in the Veterinary Technology program.
We are proud to announce three new additions to our team of wonderful veterinarians: Dr. Claudine "CC" Falcis, Dr. Dana Thistlethwaite, and Dr. David Clark. Photographs and biographies of each doctor are coming soon!
Staff
Meet our wonderful Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Assistant staff!
Our nurses provide essential assistance to the doctors and care for our patients in multiple aspects of everyday services. These tasks include, but are not limited to, rooming doctor's appointments, examination and treatment of technician appointments (drain/suture removal, SQ fluids, SQ/IM/IV injections), triage and intake of emergencies, administration of medications and fluids for hospitalized cases, anesthesia monitoring and recovery, assistance in surgical procedures, performing dental procedures, taking radiographs, filling prescriptions and performing necessary diagnostics (blood, fecal, urinary and cytology).
Meet our amazing Receptionists!
Always on the move, our receptionists play an integral role in the day-to-day operations of Linda Mar and Coastal Cat. Their services include greeting and checking in clients/patients, answering phones (scheduling appointments, taking prescription refill requests, triage calls, and client education), checking out clients/patients, obtaining payment, patient record maintenance, explaining discharge instructions, and prescription food sales.
Meet our great Kennel staff! Our kennel assistants are the foundation of our hospitals. They provide continuous care for our hospitalized and medication-necessary boarding patients. Our kennel attendants are responsible for the evening feeding and walking of our patients, keeping the hospital and yard clean, stocking supplies, checking in and unpacking shipments, assisting the technician and veterinary assistant staff, and providing any other care that may be necessary. [Photograph to follow with name identification of staff]
Meet our brilliant Hospital Administrator, John Asprey, and exceptional Hospital Accountant/Bookkeeper, Nancy Gonzales! They are an essential part to the behind the scenes functions of both Linda Mar and Coastal Cat. John is responsible for a multitude of services that assure the practices run smoothly including coordinating hospital operations, client relations and financial oversight. Nancy keeps track of all hospital financial transactions, accounts payable, accounts receivable, employee/relief staff payroll, and financial reports.
Meet our versatile Assistant Administrator, Darian Strickland. Since joining Linda Mar in 2001, Darian has worked as a receptionist, veterinary assistant, and Client Service Manager. While her current focus is assisting John Asprey in hospital administration, don't be surprised to find her helping out in reception or rooming a doctor's appointment.