VCA Berwyn Animal Hospital

Frank Norton

Frank Norton, DVM, DACVIM graduated from University of Tennessee in 1979 and in 1980 completed a small animal internship at Texas A&M University. Dr. Norton then went on to complete a residency in small animal Internal Medicine at Purdue University and has been on staff at VCA Berwyn Animal Hospital since 1983 and became board certified in 1995. Dr. Norton performs advanced diagnostic procedures including complete cardiac workups with color flow doppler ultrasound, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, rhinoscopy, laparoscopy, abdominal and thoracic ultrasounds and ultrasound-guided biopsies. His special interests are endocrinology and infectious disease. . He is married with a grown daughter and two grandchildren. Dr. Norton also has two corgis and 2 cats. His hobby is photography.

Education: MS

Lynn Schmeitzel

Lynn Schmeitzel is a 1981 graduate of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. She interned at University of Pennsylvania and was boarded by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in 1988, after completing a dermatology residency at the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Schmeitzel was Assistant and Associate Professor of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine from 1984 until 2000 when she developed her dermatology consultant referral practice. . She is past president of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology and is a member of the AVMA, American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and Virginia Veterinary Medical Association. . Dr. Schmeitzel has been a visiting consultant for VCA Berwyn Animal Hospital since 2001.

Stephanie Orzyp

Stephanie Orzyp, DVM attended Western Michigan University on a teaching assistant scholarship in Medical Anthropology when she decided to put her graduate studies on hold when she was accepted into veterinary school to pursue her life long dream. Dr. Orzyp received her DVM from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2004 after performing her clinical rotational year at the University of Illinois. Dr. Orzyp began working in emergency and critical care right after graduation and has never looked back! In addition to emergency medicine, Dr. Orzyp's interests include neurology and internal medicine. Outside of work Dr. Orzyp enjoys traveling overseas, boating, and spending time with her pets.

Christa Baumgartner

Animals have always been Dr. Baumgartner's passion. She has lived with housefuls of animals for most of her life. She believes all animals bring a joy and completeness to our lives that is so basic yet so complex; our lives are touched permanently by every relationship we have with our pets. Dr. Baumgartner has been a general practice veterinarian with VCA Berwyn Animal Hospital since 1997. Her practice focuses on sick pet care, wellness, education and consultation to enhance and sustain quality life for all pets and their relationships with their human families. She also serves as an emergency veterinarian, providing rapid and complete assessment of emergency illness and injury while helping owners deal with stressful decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Baumgartner's background also includes veterinary experience with Palatine Animal Hospital and Sauganash Animal Hospital. In addition, she served as a veterinary assistant for several years while in high school and college. Dr. Baumgartner graduated with honors from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992. While at the U of I she was on the dean's list and was a member of Phi Zeta, the Veterinary Honor Society. She received the Salisbury Scholarship and the Robert B. Gruelle/MONY Award for Excellence in Small Animal Medicine. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Illinois Chicago. She lives with her husband and two children in the western suburbs of Chicago. She has two cats and two Catahoula mixed breed dogs �� all rescues.

Education: MS

Christina Novak

Dr. Christina Novak is from the Chicago-land area. She attended DePaul University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Dr. Novak graduated from the Ross University of Veterinary Medicine and spent her clinical year at the University of Florida. Dr. Novak enjoys hiking, biking, diving and reading. We are excited that Dr. Novak joined our team in the spring of 2012.

Sara Bennett

Dr. Bennett DVM, MS, DACVB received her DVM degree in 2006 from Purdue University. She spent 3 years as an associate veterinarian in general practice in Evansville, IN before returning to Purdue to complete a residency in Animal Behavior and Master's of Science. Dr. Bennett became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in 2012. . Dr. Bennett addresses a variety of behavior problems and behavioral disorders including aggression, inappropriate elimination, compulsive disorder, fears and phobias and behavior problems associated with aging across a wide range of species. . She particularly enjoys addressing problem behavior in shelter animals, helping to make these pets more adoptable, strengthen the budding human-animal bond and to keep these animals in their new homes. Dr. Bennett can be found outside the clinic spending time with her husband, dogs, cats, horse or practicing yoga. Dr. Bennett is available for appointments alternating Monday and Saturday, and every Tuesday through Friday. Evening appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. . You can find our behavior intake and history forms under the tab "Our Hospital" and go to the drop down menu "Patient Forms" for more details.

Education: Master's of Science

Thomas Pasdo

Tom Pasdo, DVM is the Medical Director of VCA Berwyn Animal Hospital. He has been in practice for over 13 years and joined us in July 2012. Dr. Pasdo attended Augustana College and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. After graduating from the University of Illinois' College of Veterinary Medicine, he worked at another Chicago-land area animal hospital for 11 years and was Regional Medical Director for several general practices in northern Illinois and Wisconsin. Dr. Pasdo enjoys biking, hockey, fishing and camping with his wife and 3 children.

Thomas Pasdo

Tom Pasdo, DVM is the Medical Director of VCA Berwyn Animal Hospital. He has been in practice for over 13 years and joined us in July 2012. Dr. Pasdo attended Augustana College and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology. After graduating from the University of Illinois' College of Veterinary Medicine, he worked at another Chicago-land area animal hospital for 11 years and subsequently a regional medical director for several general practices in northern Illinois and Wisconsin. Dr. Pasdo enjoys biking, hockey, fishing and camping with his wife and 3 children.

Steve Larson

Dr. Steve Larson comes to VCA Berwyn with a great deal of experience. Originally he was a Staff Veterinarian at VCA Chicago North from 1997 until 2011 when he transfered to VCA Cairo. We are fortunate that he has joined us at VCA Berwyn in June 2013. Dr. Larson received his veterinary degree from the University of Illinois and has interests in opthalmology, pain management and soft tissue surgery. . He enjoys exercising with his Labrador Chloe and also practices yoga, a skill Chloe has not yet mastered. He loves to travel, especially enjoying trips to Italy and New Zealand, as well as cooking, cooking classes and wine.

Anne Cohen

Anne Cohen, DVM received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois in 2009. After graduation, she completed a rotating internship at New England Animal Medical Center outside of Boston. She recently completed a residency in Emergency Medicine/Critical Care at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in Rhode Island. Dr. Cohen has a special interest in respiratory emergencies and transfusion medicine and appreciates being part of the resilient human and anmal bond made evident during times of emergency.

Steven Abel

Steven Abel, DVM, DACVS received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1985. He was in private practice in the Chicagoland area and completed a surgical residency at Norwood Park Animal Hospital in 2003, and became board certified in 2005. Dr. Abel performs both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, and is certified in TPLO. Dr. Abel works primarily at our sister hospital, VCA Aurora. In addition, he is accepting consultations and surgeries at Berwyn one day a week. We are pleased to offer this service as a convenience to our clients. .

Akiko Koshino

Dr. Akiko Koshino received her Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tokyo in 2005. Before moving to the United States, she worked as a general practice clinician in Yokohama, Japan. Upon her move, she completed the ECFVG Clinical Training Program at Louisiana State University and a small animal rotating internship at Iowa State University. With a strong interest in oncology, Dr. Koshino went on to complete an oncology internship at Western Veterinary Specialist Emergency Centre in Calgary, Canada and a medical oncology residency at Michigan State University.