Our Vets
It is the aim of our professional staff to provide the very latest in quality veterinary care. Throughout the year our staff attends continuing education seminars on the national, state, and local levels. Our veterinarians are members of many professional organizations including the American Veterinary Medical Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, Illinois Academy of Veterinary Medicine and the Feline Practitioners Association. To assist our doctors in providing the best medical treatments for patients, the hospital maintains a library with the latest published resources and actively uses the most up-to-date veterinary medical internet research tools.
Dr. Robert Dann - Attended University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 1979 (Class President and Dean's List for academic achievement)
Dr. Dann is Director of Blum Animal Hospital and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. He was voted one of the "Best Vets" in the Chicago area by the readers of Chicagoland Tails magazine. When Dr. Dann is not at work (his favorite hobby), he likes spending his free time with his wife Erica, children Zack, Jessie, Aaron and Kevin, and his cat Alley (pictured). He loves the outdoors and enjoys sports, cycling, gardening and rollerblading. Dr. Dann is on the Board of Directors of two charitable foundations, makes meals for the homeless and volunteers for other charitable causes. His biggest weakness in life is dark chocolate. |
Dr. Julia Georgesen - Attended Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine
Graduated 2000 - Dean's List; Junior Class Representative; Curriculum Committee Representative; Senior Class Liasion Committee; Morris Animal Foundation Ballard StudentPrior work experience: Externship: San Francisco Zoo; Internship: Equine Medicine and Surgery, Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center; East Pines Animal Clinic in Indiana; Animal Hospital in Berwyn Dr. Georgesen is co-director of Blum Animal Hospital, a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association and has received certifications with VetStem (using adult stem cell therapy to treat dog arthritis) In her free time, Dr. Georgesen enjoys traveling, volunteering, riding her bike, pilates and reading. She enjoys dining out and considers herself an amateur restaurant critic. She also spends her free time trying to keep her French Bulldog, Bob (pictured here) and her Dachshund, Walter in line. She is looking forward to her upcoming wedding in May to Matt and becoming a stepmom to Emily and Henry. |
Dr. Sheldon Rubin - Retired - Attended University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 1968Former Owner and Director Emeritus of Blum Animal Hospital, President - American Heartworm Association, President-Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, past president of Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, member of the Lincoln Park Zoo Advisory Board and member of board of Directors-Anti-Cruelty Society for over 26 years. Dr. Rubin is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, and Feline Practitioners Association. Dr. Rubin is the author of six books, published and distributed by Publications International and a frequent guest on Chicago and National radio and television programs including WGN and The Oprah Winfrey Show. |
Dr. Chris Shule - Attended University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 2000-High HonorsRelief Veterinarian at Animal 911 Dr. Shule is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association When Dr. Shule is not at Blum Animal Hospital he enjoys spending time with his wife, son and pets, Frankie, a rat terrier mix, and Roby, his cat. He is an avid volleyball player (both indoor and beach) and is a "scratch" golfer (in his mind!) He also spends time working with and repairing computers and playing Cvilization (computer game). His philanthropic efforts focus on volunteering with brain injury surviviors. |
Dr. Kjerstin Jacobs - Attended University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 1999Prior work experience: Internship in Equine Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center; Pharmacia Animal Health in New Jersey; Running 'S' Equine Veterinary Services in New Jersey Dr. Jacobs is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Association of Equine Practitioners In her free time, Dr. Jacobs spends as much time as possible with her teenage daughter. She shares downtime with her pets, including Veronica, a veteran of the Blum Animal Hospital feline blood donor program, and Naya and Growlin' Dan, both rescue dogs. Dr. Jacobs also enjoys pilates, cooking, bicycling, and movies. She also works Sunday shifts at the Chicago Veterinary Emergency Service. |
Dr. Kerry Kraemer - Attended University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 1998Prior work experience: Externship at the Milwaukee County Zoo; Appanasha Pet Clinics in Wisconsin; Apple Valley Veterinary Clinic in Wisconsin Dr. Kraemer is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association and has a strong interest in animal behavior. Dr. Kraemer has a passion for all types of music. She also enjoys baking, home improvement projects, classic movies, spending time with her dogs, Linus and Lightning and travel - especially to her home state of Wisconsin. |
Dr. Juliet Turkel - Attended University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 2006 Prior work experience: Externships: Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society & Rural American Veterinarian Service through the Humane Society of the United States Dr. Turkel is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association These days, Dr. Turkel has had to put her breakdancing lessons on hold as she is busy being a mom to her adorable son, Ethan and is awaiting the birth of her second child in March. She loves taking her son and sweet dog, Lyla on long walks and playing in the park. She still tries to find time to read, shop and come up with recipes for her gourmet cooking club. |
Dr. Natalie Marks - Attended University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 2002 - High Honors Prior work experience: Cornell University Leadership Program - Summer Fellow; Allatoona Animal Hospital in Woodstock, GA. Dr. Marks was the Veterinary Leadership Conference P.R. Representative and the Veterinary Leadership Conference New Graduate Delegate for the American Veterinary Medical Association, the President of the Greater Atlanta Veterinary Medical Society and the Public Relations Chairperson for the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Marks has also contributed as a Veterinary columnist for several monthly community magazines. When she is not hard at work at Blum Animal Hospital, Dr. Marks enjoys volunteering her time and skills. She is an elected member to the AVMA National Council on Communications. She is also a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Marks married Tod in August, 2008 and is currently enjoying being a mother to their beautiful daughter, Sophia Louise (born November, 2009). Her family loves cooking, traveling, spending time outdoors and being anywhere there is a beach. |
Dr. Sarah Kanagy Gingerich - Attended Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, Graduated 2005 -
Dean's List, AVMA Auxillary Outstanding Senior Student Award and President, Purdue Student Chapter of AVMA.
Prior work experience: Externship at University of Washington at Seattle, Animal Hospital in Evanston Dr. Gingerich is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Gingerich was married in November, 2009. She and her husband Fred enjoy spending time with their boxer Goose (pictured here) and their cats Annie and Atlas. Dr. Gingerich enjoys cooking and belongs to a gourmet cooking club. Dr. Gingerich is also an avid reader, enjoys working out and running. |
Dr. Amanda Evans - Attended University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 2007
Prior work experience: Attleboro Veterinary Clinic in Massachusetts; Small Animal Rotating Internship: Vetcision in Massachusetts Dr. Evans is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. Dr Evans recently moved back to the Chicago area from the east coast and is enjoying exploring the city. Her hobbies include going to the park with her dog, Emily, working out and horseback riding. She is an avid fan of both Chicago and Boston sports teams and enjoys attending various sporting events. |
Dr. Romanie Walter - Attended University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 2005 – Winner of The Simmons & Associates Educational Trust Fund in 2004.
Prior work experience: Externship: Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago; Internship: Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Montreal from 2006-2007. Published in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine June 1st 2008, “Nonsurgical resolution of gallbladder mucocele in two dogs”. Dr. Walter was a relief veterinarian in the Montreal area from 2007 till 2010. Dr. Walter is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. In her free time, Dr. Walter enjoys traveling, hanging out with her friends, eating and then burning off the calories outside or at the gym. She loves listening to music and can’t help singing along (totally off tune) and busting a move if the beat is right. She grew up in a bilingual household thanks to her Belgian mother and is fluent in French and English. |
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