August 9, 2009
Dear Valued Clients and Friends,
As the saying goes, "It was a very good year". That was 1968 when I started my professional career working at Blum Animal Hospital. The forty-one years have gone by in a wink of an eye. As I look at my children and grandchildren and the number of generations of pets I have been blessed to interact with, I realize that it is time to say good-bye to the daily rigors of practice life.
Veterinary medicine has changed dramatically over the last 40 years. The amount of information available and the development of multiple specialties within the profession have benefitted you and your wonderful companions. We have followed in the shirt tails of human medicine without the burden of managed care. There is practically no limit to what we can do for a pet today to improve its quality of life and cure its ailments. Our goal has always been to make Blum Animal Hospital the top companion animal hospital in the city. I believe we have reached that status. This past year, the readers of Chicagoland Tails Magazine voted Blum Animal Hospital the best veterinary hospital in the entire Chicagoland area. This came about because of the dedication, care, and compassion exhibited by our 10 veterinarians, who are backed up every day by our talented technicians, care coordinators, assistants and managers.
While we can't be everything to everybody, we strive to exceed your expectations by giving the best medical care utilizing the latest knowledge base available. While I am very sad not being able to continue my daily interaction with all of you, my professional life will continue. I am finishing up my terms as President of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and the American Heartworm Society. I will continue to be involved with our National Organization, the American Veterinary Medical Association. I have, and will continue to be, on the board of the Anti-Cruelty Society. I look forward to more time to teach "responsible pet ownership" to the public and I will also do some consulting and continue to offer my surgery skills where needed.
In my personal life, I look forward to traveling to all the places that I never had time to go to as well as spending time with my family and wonderful wife of 44 years, Paulette. Retirement to me is another chapter in the book of life. I have been blessed with a wonderful relationship with all of you. I thank you all for sharing your children with fur with me and honoring me by continuing care of your children's pets as well.
My goal has always been to be sure the entire hospital experience is pleasant so that the transition of medical care to one of my colleagues will be seamless. Many of my associate veterinarians at Blum have cared for your pets over the years at times when I have been out of the office. They remain poised to continue offering the finest veterinary care to your beloved pets and outstanding service to you. I am looking forward to discussing this transition for you and your pet(s) at any time before the end of the year.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the various "animal events" throughout the year. Look for me on Facebook and become my friend … I promise I will keep you all posted.
Sincerely,
Dr. Shelly Rubin