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 (Dean's List for academic achievement and Class President) Dr. Dann is Director of Blum Animal Hospital and a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association When Dr. Dann is not at work, he likes spending his free time with his wife Erica, children Zack, Jessie, Aaron and Kevin, his dog Jake and his cat Alley (pictured). He loves the outdoors and enjoys exercising, biking, various sports, gardening and walking or rollerblading with Jake. His hobby is veterinary medicine and he starts every day with a piece of dark chocolate.

Dr. Julia Georgesen Attended Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 2000 Prior work experience: Externship: San Francisco Zoo; Internship: Equine Medicine and Surgery, Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center; East Pines Animal Clinic in Indiana Dr. Georgesen is co-director of Blum Animal Hospital and 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. Georgesen enjoys traveling, volunteering, working out, reading and watching movies. She enjoys dining out and considers herself an amateur restaturant critic. She also spends her free time trying to keep her French Bulldog, Bob (pictured here), in line.

Dr. Sheldon Rubin Attended University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 1968 Former Owner and Director Emeritus of Blum Animal Hospital, President - American Heartworm Association, President-Elect-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 20 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 Externship: Animal Hospital in Lake Villa, IL 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 playing volleyball (both indoor and beach) as well as golfing. He also spends time working with and repairing computers and playing Civilization (computer game).

Dr. Jessica Faigle Attended Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 2002 Prior work experience: Externship: US Navy Marine Mammal Program and acupuncture at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Faigle is a certified member of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association Dr. Faigle's hobbies include running, taking dance classes and listening to all types of music. She enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, snowboarding and softball. She also enjoys spending time with her dog, Juneau. Dr. Faigle volunteers for Ready, Set, Ride, a children's therapeutic horseback riding program.

Dr. Kjerstin Jacobs Attended University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 1999 Prior 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 When Dr. Jacobs is not at work, she spends time with her daughter. She also enjoys cooking, bicycling and yoga.

Dr. Kerry Kraemer Attended University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 1998 Prior 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 and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association Dr. Kraemer's hobbies include working out, spending time with her dogs, Linus and Lightning, learning to cook and 80's trivia. She enjoys non-fiction books, particularly those written by Al Gore.

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 Dr. Turkel's hobbies include traveling to Europe or anywhere tropical. She enjoys snowboarding, reading and walking her dog, Lyla. She is a very accomplished and avid shopper. Dr. Turkel is currently learning to breakdance.

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. Dr. Marks is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Marks enjoys volunteering her time and skills to organizations when she is not hard at work at Blum Animal Hospital. She also enjoys biking, traveling, scuba diving and spending time with her pug, Clyde.

Dr. Sarah Kanagy Attended Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine Graduated 2005 Dr. Kanagy was on the Dean's List, received the AVMA Auxillary Outstanding Senior Student Award and was President, Purdue Student Chapter of AVMA. Dr. Kanagy is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American  Animal Hospital  Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Kanagy's hobbies include cooking, reading and running. She enjoys spending time with her dog, Ella (pictured here) and her cats, Annie and Atlas.