VETERINARY CARE OF ITHACA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Lead Veterinary Technician
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Technician
- Licensed Veterinary Technician
Carrie Diamond is a licensed veterinary technician at Veterinary Care of Ithaca. She joined the team in October 2008. Carrie enjoys working with patients and learning from the veterinarians at Veterinary Care of Ithaca.
Carrie has an associate degree in applied science in veterinary technology from Alfred State College and is a licensed veterinary technician in the state of New York.
"The staff here is truly my second family," says Carrie. "Our clients are always coming in with a smile, and it's great to see the same patients grow over the years. Also, I believe that we give our patients the best care possible."
At home, Carrie has two cats, General and Karat. She has a passion for comics and works with groups that make the comic, fantasy, and science fiction fields more accessible to women. She is also an avid reader and regularly travels to Buffalo to see her family.
Cassidy joined the VCI team in August of 2020. Cassidy moved to the area after recently completing her BS, with a dual major in Marine Biology and Animal Science from the University of Rhode Island. Her previous work in the animal care field includes working as a receptionist at a small animal hospital and assisting in the rescue and rehab of wild seals at the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT.
A multi-talented team player, Cassidy divides her time between working with our client care team in reception and assisting our doctors and technicians during patient exams and treatments. When asked what she enjoys most about working at Veterinary Care of Ithaca Cassidy states, "I love working here because it is so clear how much everyone cares for the clients and the patients. So much time and attention go into making sure we are providing the best care for our patients. The staff is simply amazing. It's not just a job to us, it is our pride and joy."
When not at work, Cassidy enjoys the company of her two Great Pyrenees puppies, 5-month-old Winnona ("Winnie") and 11-month-old Marvin. She also enjoys discovering new and unique places including antique shops, local gardens, farms, and museums.
Job Titles:
- Lead Client Care Coordinator
Lead client care coordinator Christina Ryan prides herself on providing a warm environment for pets and their owners. "I truly care and do as much as I can to help our clients," says Christina. She has worked at Veterinary Care of Ithaca since September 2006.
"I love the people I work with," says Christina. "They are all amazing and make our hospital fun and compassionate at the same time."
At home, Christina has three cats: Mittens, Kicker, and Bootsie. She spends her time away from Veterinary Care of Ithaca with her family, including her two kids, Christopher and Madison. She enjoys gardening, walking through Treman Park, and cooking.
Job Titles:
- Veterinarian
- Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Dr. Anya Solodow grew up in Westchester County, New York. She studied sociology at New York University while exploring veterinary medicine on the side: she worked as a receptionist in a small animal practice in the West Village of Manhattan, a hospital volunteer at the Bronx Zoo, a clinic aid at the iconic Animal Medical Center, and a veterinary assistant at a horse practice in Brewster, NY. She always knew she loved animals, but these early experiences in such diverse settings helped her realize the fulfillment found in helping people maintain healthy and long-lived relationships with their animals.
She attended Cornell Vet School from 2006-2010, followed by a rotating internship at the Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, New Jersey. After finishing her internship, she worked for several years as an overnight emergency doctor at a large veterinary practice outside of Boston, the Bulger Veterinary Hospital. She then spent 5 years in Seattle, as an ER clinician at Seattle Veterinary Specialists and a general practitioner at Urban Animal, prior to moving back to Ithaca in 2018.
Dr. Solodow is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and her special interests within the field include internal medicine, geriatric medicine, dermatology, and emergency medicine. She feels it's a privilege to get to go to work every day and help solve problems big and small, collaborate with other veterinarians and staff members, and get to know her patients and clients.
Dr Solodow lives in Ithaca with her husband, children, and dog, and is most likely to be found lingering at a local coffee shop, creek, or playground.
Dr. Elizabeth Yousey is originally from Welland, Ontario, Canada. While she was in high school, she had a student placement at a small animal clinic that solidified her passion for veterinary medicine, which she considers the perfect combination of her love of animals and her interest in biology and problem-solving. She attended the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2002. After college, Dr. Yousey went on to Ontario Veterinary College, where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2006.
After practicing veterinary medicine for 10 years, Dr. Yousey joined the veterinary team at Veterinary Care of Ithaca in November 2016. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the USDA National Veterinary Accreditation Program. Dr. Yousey's professional interests include internal medicine, dermatology, preventive medicine, and pain management.
There are two aspects of practicing veterinary medicine that Dr. Yousey finds especially rewarding. "The first part is working as part of a team in this fast-paced, ever-changing, and evolving profession," she says. "The second part is at the end of the day, there's immense satisfaction knowing that you've helped maintain the bond between an owner and their companion."
At home, Dr. Yousey has a Leonberger dog named Madison, as well as 14 koi fish she inherited with her new home. In her free time, she enjoys boating on Cayuga Lake, camping, gardening, reading, and watching Buffalo Bills games.
Dr. Emily Duca joined the Veterinary Care of Ithaca team in January of 2021. She started her career in veterinary medicine as a licensed veterinary technician graduating from Alfred State College. She later went on to receive her veterinary degree from St. George's University, having then completed a rotating internship in internal medicine and surgery at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Duca is particularly interested in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery. When not at VCI, Dr. Duca enjoys spending time with her family, including her rescued Caribbean street dog named Spice.
Dr. Susan Yanoff graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1980. After three years in private practice, she joined the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps. While on active duty, she completed a 3-year residency in small animal surgery and became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. Yanoff retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2004. After a year spent working on a horse farm in Idaho, she returned to Ithaca to work as a staff surgeon at Colonial Veterinary Hospital. She retired from Colonial in December 2009. In January 2010, Dr. Yanoff started working for Shelter Outreach Services, a high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter organization that provides low-cost surgeries for people in need. Dr. Yanoff now brings her expertise to VCI, providing routine surgical care to our patients. Dr. Yanoff has a cat, and two beagles: Ivy (CH MACH Wilkeep Ivy League, CDX, RN, TD), and young Quinn, who has not yet started her show career. Sue trains and shows her dogs in breed, obedience, agility, and tracking.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Veterinary Technician
Dr. Ellen Tremante joined the doctors at Veterinary Care of Ithaca in August 2018. Dr. Tremante is a native of Long Island, New York, where she developed an interest and passion for caring for animals. One of her earliest motivations to become a veterinarian was having helped raise her childhood cat and friend, Mitzie. The two were inseparable, which helped introduce Dr. Tremante to the joys of working with animals.
Dr. Tremante obtained her undergraduate education at the State University of New York at Geneseo in 1996, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in history. She then returned to school at the State University of New York at Stony Brook to obtain her prerequisites for veterinary school. In 2002, Dr. Tremante began attending the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical College. Shortly after graduating with her DVM degree in 2006, Dr. Tremante completed a one-year rotating internship at Long Island Veterinary Specialists. She then worked in small animal private practice, both general practice and emergency practice, for 11 years before joining Veterinary Care of Ithaca.
Some of Dr. Tremante's professional interests include feline internal medicine, emergency medicine, geriatric medicine, and dentistry. Dr. Tremante also recently completed a Master of Science in Anthrozoology, the study of human-animal interaction. She is also a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and recently became a certified Cat-Friendly Veterinarian. This certification program is sponsored by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and teaches veterinarians the best ways to care for our feline friends in the clinic setting, both for their emotional and medical needs.
When asked about working for Veterinary Care of Ithaca, Dr. Tremante says, "It is very satisfying working together with pet parents and their companion animals. I strive to provide the best and most updated medical information and emotional guidance to our clients in order to help them care for their furry family members in the best way possible. My goal is to help ensure that pets have a high quality of life throughout all stages of their lives."
Owner and medical director Jennifer Biasillo came to Veterinary Care of Ithaca as an associate veterinarian in 2012. She purchased the practice in 2015.
Dr. Biasillo grew up outside of Buffalo, NY and attended Medaille College, initially earning an associate degree in veterinary technology. "I was a licensed veterinary technician for 10 years before attending veterinary school," says Dr. Biasillo. "I was also a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner and practiced physical rehabilitation on pets for a variety of disorders. This unique experience is what ultimately led me to decide to attend veterinary school." She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
Dr. Biasillo is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Veterinary Information Network, and the USDA National Veterinary Accreditation. Her professional interests include internal medicine and promoting fear-free veterinary visits. "As a pet owner, I understand that we all want to provide the best care and quality of life possible for our pets," says Dr. Biasillo. "I really enjoy being a part of that through education, preventative care, and medical treatment. It's very rewarding to play a role in the amazing bond people share with their pets."
Dr. Biasillo, her husband, and sons share their home with two dogs: Stella, a Yorkie rescue, and Archie, a Cairn Terrier. They also have two cats, Franklin and Harrison, as well as chickens.
Job Titles:
- Director of Administration
Jennifer Brown has worked at Veterinary Care of Ithaca since February 2008. As office manager, she is responsible for team management, scheduling, internal marketing, and ensuring overall client service satisfaction. She has a bachelor's degree from Wells College and is a native of Ithaca.
Jennifer has two cats, Dash and Smokey Grace, and a dog named Boo. When she's not at work, she can be found hiking the local gorges, going to parks with her dog and family, kayaking in Cayuga Lake, and spending time with her son and husband.
As a member of our terrific client care team here at Veterinary Care of Ithaca, Jon is responsible for helping our clients and patients feel welcome. He also helps by scheduling appointments, answering phones, providing client education and resources, and much more. The aspect of his job that Jon likes the most is being able to greet our clients and their pets with a warm welcome, both on the phone and especially in person. Jon is a handyman of sorts, and we are grateful to have his skillsets around the hospital. Jon possesses a bachelor's degree from Cornell University and has been working in the animal-related field for over 17 years.
Kelly joined the VCI team in June of 2020. This future veterinarian (Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine class of 2023) clearly communicates her passion and excitement for the field with her bright smile and upbeat attitude.
Before coming to VCI, Kelly spent several years prior working as a veterinary assistant in Hamburg, NY. Kelly has two dogs, Dox an energetic 4 ½-year-old hound mix, and Buffy an 8-year-old lab mix who Kelly refers to as a real couch potato. When asked about her time at VCI Kelly states "I love the atmosphere and culture of Veterinary Care of Ithaca and have found all of my co-workers to be phenomenal role models and educators. We all love the pets we serve, and it is obvious by the warm nature of everyone every day."
Mary-Beth joined VCI in September of 2020. As the newest addition to our client care team, Mary-Beth brings with her over 10 years of experience in the animal care field. Mary-Beth brings a positive and optimistic viewpoint to all aspects of her job. Stating, "Sometimes just having a good attitude about the everyday situations can make them easier to get through. A positive and cheerful disposition can often set the tone for the day and I am always trying to deliver that, especially when we are not able to see our clients face to face right now."
When asked what she likes best about working at VCI, Mary-Beth states "I have never felt a part of a team as quickly as I did when starting at VCI. I also love our clients. They have embraced me as quickly as the staff has, making me feel like I have been here for much longer than I have. I look forward to spending many more years here."
When not at VCI, Mary-Beth spends her time caring for her two cats, Cricket & June Bug, two Abyssinian Guinea pigs named Momo & Kipper and her Beta fish Pandora. Mary-Beth enjoys drawing, painting, cross stitching and watching football and rugby. Newly relocated to the area from downstate, she has enjoyed exploring the many hiking trails, waterfalls, and lakes in our region.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Veterinary Technician
Renee is a licensed veterinary technician and began working at Veterinary Care of Ithaca in October of 2020. She is from the Ithaca area and is a recent graduate of SUNY Delhi. As a licensed technician, Renee assists our doctors in all aspects of patient care. She assists in examinations and treatments, surgical procedures, x-rays, and laser therapy, as well as working in our laboratory and pharmacy.
Renee has a calm and confident demeanor and a great sense of humor. She enjoys interacting with our clients and patients and loves the variety and sometimes unexpected aspects of working in general practice, stating, "I love that every day is different." Proud of the team we have and the work we do, Renee also states, "Every team member has been very kind and welcoming. Each furry family member that comes through our doors receives excellent medical care, as well as lots of love and snuggles."
Renee enjoys spending time with her one-year-old chocolate lab Henry and has a Beta fish named Giuseppe. When she is not at work, Renee enjoys going to the gym, hiking, camping, kayaking, and baking.
Dr. Hummel grew up in Ithaca, NY and always had a passion for helping animals and people in need. She spent the majority of her teen years riding and training retired racehorses. She developed a strong interest in the human-animal bond and animal behavior when she raised 5 service dogs for children on the Autism spectrum. She was also an avid musician, having studied cello since a very young age.
Dr. Hummel pursued her undergraduate studies at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, OH. During this time she worked part time as a veterinary assistant at several small animal veterinary clinics in the area where her passion for veterinary medicine began to blossom; an experience which helped develop strong skills in client communication and low-stress patient handling. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Psychology. She then returned to Ithaca to attend Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. Following graduation she spent 3 years as an Emergency Veterinarian prior to joining VCI in July 2021. She truly enjoys helping her clients and patients at their most vulnerable times, and is a strong advocate for her patients.
Outside of work she loves spending time hiking and exploring National Parks with her family, eating, reading, and traveling. In her spare time she continues to be actively involved with volunteer work in the veterinary field. She is also owned by 2 wonderful cats and a Thoroughbred ex-racehorse.