Interns
Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group is home to a highly competitive post-graduate internship training program, certified by the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). VMSG admits only twelve veterinarian doctors who have graduated at the top of their respective Veterinary Schools.
These Intern Doctors apply and are placed though the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP). They have been chosen to take part in this additional year of intensive training instead of pursuing private practice, in order to gain advanced skills, to go on to Residency or become eligible for board certification.
Britany Lindl
A graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Britany Lindl has seen her dreams come true. She has desired to be a veterinarian since the age of five and has been working towards that goal ever since. Prior to vet school, she graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BS in Biopsychology. There, she rowed for the UCSB women’s crew team and still carves out as much time as possible to row. Along with rowing, she enjoys hiking, running and snowboarding with her fiancé, competing in regattas and in triathlons, walking her dog, Toby, or going to the dog park to throw a ball for her four-legged family member.
Dr. Lindl plans to pursue a residency in Radiology after she completes her internship at VMSG. She will return to Northern California where her fiancé and family live.
Cecily Bonadio
Dr. Bonadio was born in Seattle, Washington and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She completed high school in San Diego, California and obtained her bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Lake Erie College in Cleveland, Ohio. For the past four years Davis, California has been her home while she obtained her veterinary degree from UC Davis.
Dr. Bonadio has a passion for riding horses and has competed across the country in Dressage. She also loves spending time outdoors, reading and cooking. She lives with her two boisterous terriers, Catie and Clarie, and her more subdued cat, Allie. Both dogs are excited to be living so close to the beach, although neither actually enjoys venturing into the waves.
Dr. Bonadio has a special interest in Oncology and Internal Medicine. She is excited to be part of the VMSG team for her internship year.
Celine Hayek
Dr. Celine Hayek graduated from California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in Animal Science. After working for a few years as a veterinary technician in Southern California, she packed her bags and flew off to St. George’s School of Veterinary Medicine (on the Caribbean island of Grenada). Her last year of veterinary instruction was completed at the University of Pennsylvania.
A So Cal girl at heart, she is overjoyed to have returned home to practice medicine and be close in proximity to her family. Her hobbies include: scuba diving, snorkeling, tennis, crafts, meeting new people, traveling, and immersion in new cultures. Any additional downtime is spent playing with her Boxer, Lucy and her nephew, Luka.
Upon completing her internship, Dr. Hayek hopes to continue her education in Veterinary Oncology, Clinical Pathology, or Radiology.
Jennifer Pierro
Dr. Jennifer Pierro completed her BA in psychology at UC Berkeley, and went on to pursue a graduate degree in experimental psychology at Brown University in Providence, RI. She then attended Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. Having spent her early years in Sydney, Australia, she enjoys water sports and loves to travel. She has five phenomenal cats (Hennessey, Shekkie, Pasha, Beason, and Waylon Jennings). As the youngster of the crew, Waylon does an exceptional job taunting his elder siblings and keeping them active.
Following her internship at VMSG, Dr. Pierro hopes to pursue a residency in medical oncology. Eventually, she would like to return to Southern California to work at a large specialty practice.
Jessica Spurza
Dr. Jessica Spurza graduated from SUNY Oswego with a BS in Zoology before attending St. George’s University of Veterinary Medicine. She enjoys outdoor activities such as, kayaking, hiking, and scuba diving. Dr. Spurza lives with her feline companion, Gremmlynn. Gremmlynn was adopted from a Grenadian woodpile and loves to follow her mom everywhere.
Dr. Spurza plans to move back to the Northeast after completing her internship at VMSG. She has an interest in small animal general practice, exotic medicine, and imaging diagnostics.
Kristal Miles
Dr. Kristal Miles graduated from UC San Diego in 2005 with a Bachelors of Science in Biology. She took a year off to travel and work at an all breed dog rescue before attending Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts. Kristal loves the ocean and enjoys learning about fish. During her free time, you will find Kristal running, playing soccer, or hiking with her dog. She lives with her dog Milo, a hyperactive pug who loves to go running and play with his tennis ball. Milo is the highlight of her life.
Being a California native, Kristal is looking forward to moving back to California. She is happy to be closer to home and her family. She is excited about her internship at VMSG. Following her internship, she is considering completing a residency in internal medicine or joining a small animal general practice.
Lauren Blair
Dr. Lauren Blair graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a BS in Animal Science before attending Atlantic Veterinary College on Prince Edward Island, Canada. She enjoys playing softball, downhill skiing, and spending time with her friends and family. She is excited to return to California with her fiancé who is also a veterinarian and her 9 month old Australian Shepherd puppy, Finn. Finn will miss the Canadian winters, but hopefully enjoy the sunny southern California weather and beaches.
Dr. Blair is interested in either pursuing a residency in Oncology or Ophthalmology or spending some time in emergency medicine after completing her internship at VMSG.
Lauren May
Dr. Lauren May graduated from UCLA with a BS in Biochemistry and will forever be a Bruin. She received her DVM from Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, in Ithaca, NY. She hails from Southern California and spent a number of years living on her family’s ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota raising beef cattle.
She enjoys running, cycling, hiking, being outdoors, and spending time with her two Shelties, Hansel and Shea. Hansel and Shea enjoy running agility courses, playing at the dog park, and chasing their own tails.
Dr. May is thrilled to return to California to complete her internship at VMSG. She plans on applying to a residency program in emergency and critical care or internal medicine following her internship.
Philip Mar
Dr. Philip Mar was born and raised in the greater Los Angeles area. He attended California State University Los Angeles where he earned a B.A. in Chemistry and a full-ride soccer scholarship. After graduation he worked as a chemist for a short stint and then as a substitute teacher, before being accepted into veterinary school. He attended Western University College of Veterinary Medicine where his main interest was in the small animal field. He enjoys taking care of his parent’s two Chihuahuas, as well as playing soccer and the guitar. He is also an avid fan of USC football and the Lakers.
Dr. Mar would like to stay in southern California after his internship at VMSG is completed; preferably around the Los Angeles area. He plans to become a general practitioner and would eventually like to have his own practice.
Tanya Giannantonio
Dr. Giannantonio was born and raised in New Jersey and graduated from the University of Richmond in 2004 with a BS in biology. Prior to attending veterinary school she spent 2 years in San Diego enjoying the sun and surf as well as gaining practical experience working at the San Diego Humane Society. Dr. Giannantonio attended veterinary school at Iowa State University. She is very happy to be back in southern California. In her spare time she enjoys surfing, snowboarding, hiking, and many other activities that allow her to enjoy the beautiful California outdoors. She lives with two cats, Moto man and Jersey girl, who have traveled more than most people in their 4 years.
Dr. Giannantonio would like to stay in California after her internship at VMSG. She plans on pursuing small animal general veterinary practice for a couple years before setting her sights on a residency in zoo medicine.
Timothy Hui
Dr. Timothy Hui graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences before obtaining his veterinary degree from University of California, Davis. He enjoys weight lifting and playing basketball at the gym in his free time, and he is a long-suffering fan of the Sacramento Kings and Oakland Raiders. He also loves watching movies (personal favorites include The Fountain, Anchorman, Underworld) as well as the occasional TV show (The Office or The Ultimate Fighter). Currently, he only has one pet, a deaf ferret named Molly who is short on brains but has a big heart.
Dr. Hui is considering whether to pursue a residency in internal medicine or to stay in general practice at this time. He is excited to work at VMSG and to make the most of this unique opportunity, knowing he is extremely blessed to be part of this profession.
