Departments & Doctors Overview

We invite you to explore the biographies of our doctors and staff and learn more about them. Our doctors and staff have a wide variety of backgrounds and interests.

Dr. Thomas Hribernik - Internal Medicine Department

Dr. Hribernik graduated from the Missouri University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1973.  He completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery followed by an internal medicine residency at Purdue University.  Dr. Hribernik became certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1981.  His professional interests and expertise span the breadth of internal medicine including critical care, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology, infectious diseases, immune diseases, respiratory disorders and urology.

He was a member of the Internal Medicine department at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine from 1977 - 1994, achieving the rank of Section Chief of Internal Medicine.  He has lectured to other vets on a variety of internal medicine topics at the local, state, national and international levels during his career.  Dr. Hribernik is accomplished in diagnostic ultrasound procedures of the abdomen and thorax plus he is highly proficient in a variety of rigid and flexible endoscopic procedures.  He joined the staff at VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital and Referral Center, Albuquerque, NM in 2008.  Along with his colleague Dr. Phil Ries, he is one of only three board certified vet internists currently practicing in New Mexico.  Drs. Hribernik and Ries team up to provide seamless internal medicine service for patients in need seven days per week.  His current work schedule is Wednesday - Saturday.

On the personal front, Dr. Hribernik is a native of St. Louis, Missouri but his career pursuits have carried him to Indiana, Louisiana, Florida, Texas and New Mexico.  He is an avid reader, loves watching movies of all kinds, enjoys hiking in the foothills and mountains of New Mexico and has recently re-kindled an interest in fly-fishing.  Dr. Hribernik is married to his wife Teresa and their family includes two very special dogs, Archie and Emily.

 

Dr. Nancy McLean - Ophthalmolgy Department

Dr. McLean obtained her bachelor's degree from Brown University and her veterinary degree from Purdue University. She completed a one-year internship at the University of Tennessee and spent two years in private practice before pursuing a comparative ophthalmology residency in 2005. Dr. McLean was certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in 2008.

She joined the staff of VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital and Referral Center in October of 2008. Dr. McLean's areas of interest include cataract surgery, anterior chamber inflammation, glaucoma and ocular manifestations of systemic disease. Her interests have led to several publications in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Veterinary Ophthalmology, and presentations at national meetings. Dr. McLean welcomes referrals of exotic and large animals as well as small animals.  In addition to treating dogs, cats, horses and pocket pets, she has operated on a variety of zoo animals including bald eagles, tigers, and tree kangaroos.  She is eager to work in conjunction with her patients' primary care veterinarian to provide optimal care.

Specific Services
Ophthalmic exams including tonometry, slit lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy and retinoscopy
Gonioimplants for glaucoma
Diode laser retinopexy
Diode laser cycloablation
Phacoemulsification (cataract surgery) and intraocular lens implantation
Electroretinograms
Ocular ultrasound
Reconstructive eyelid procedures
Grid Keratotomy
Evisceration with intrascleral prosthesis
Intralesional chemotherapy or cryotherapy for eyelid, adnexal, or corneal tumors
CT Scans for diagnosis of retrobulbar or periocular disease

Dr. McLean has presented at several national meetings and has taught an ocular surgery course to other veterinarians.  She is a member of several medical groups including the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (www.acvo.org) and the American Veterinary Medical Association.  She also peer-reviews submitted articles for the Journal of Veterinary Ophthalmology.

Dr. McLean and her husband moved to new Mexico in 2002 and fell in love with the state.  She enjoys rock climbing, biking, skiing and spending time with her husband, dog and daughter.

Dr. Phil Ries - Internal Medicine Department

Dr. Ries grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio the last of six children. He attended college at nearby Miami University (Ohio), earning undergraduate degrees in Biology and Chemistry (B.S.). Not yet committed to a specific career path, he joined the Peace Corps following graduation to pursue an interest in aquatic ecology. As a volunteer, he worked for two years promoting fresh water aquaculture, i.e. fish farming, on the island of Jamaica. During that time, a long held interest in veterinary medicine was rekindled, as he spent time working with a local vet from the Ministry of Agriculture. Thus, following discharge from the Peace Corps, he decided to pursue a career in veterinary health care. 

As an internal medicine specialist (internist), Dr.Ries deals primarily with an older patient population. Whether suffering from heart disease, kidney failure, cancer, a hormonal imbalance, or chronic pain from severe arthritis, it is all about providing a good quality of life for your pet. As an advocate for his patient, Dr. Ries' job is to recommend the best diagnostic and therapeutic options in order to accomplish this goal. At VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital and Referral Center, he has the resources to make it happen. With a special interest in the care of critical patients, Dr. Ries has developed guidelines for nutritional support for the hospitalized patient, e.g. implementation of a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) program along with aggressive pain management protocols. 

On a more personal note, his family consists of Carolyn Kincade, his wife (also a veterinarian), Lance, their rambunctious son, two dogs (Rudy & Lilly), two cats (Lois & Jerry) and two Quarter horses (Tula & Knickers). After family and work needs are met, Dr. Ries enjoys mountain biking, landscaping, reading, and relaxing. This unwavering commitment to his family and work will be reflected in the care your pet receives. He will treat them as if they are his own!

Dr. Brian Rose - Surgery Department

After receiving his DVM from the University of Minnesota in 2005 at the top of his class, Dr. Brian Rose completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. While at Penn, he had the opportunity to train under some of the nation's top emergency and critical care specialists. This experience increased Dr. Rose's passion for emergency surgery, critical care, and post-operative pain management. Upon completion of his training at the University of Pennsylvania in 2006, Dr. Rose returned to the University of Minnesota for 3 years of advanced training in veterinary orthopedics, soft tissue and neurologic surgery. The University of Minnesota's surgical residency program exposed Dr. Rose to a wide range and large numbers of orthopedic, neurologic and soft tissue procedures.

Dr. Rose was certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2010. Dr. Rose has a strong interest in research and is currently completing a Masters degree in fracture biomechanics at the University of Minnesota. He has lectured on both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery topics at both the local and national level.

As one of the few board certified surgeons in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dr. Rose is excited about consulting with you about your pet's needs. He is available for consultation Wednesday-Saturday and on an emergency basis. The surgery service (Dr. Don Waldron and Dr. Brian Rose) is pleased to offer a wide range of advanced orthopedic, neurologic and soft tissue surgical techniques including minimally invasive surgery with arthroscopy, laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, and fluoroscopy.

Dr. Brian Rose moved to Albuquerque with his wife Dr. Michelle Rose, who is a veterinary cardiologist, in August 2009. Their three dogs and two cats are enjoying the warmer weather, and are in competition with one another to see who can sleep the most in 24 hours.

Dr. Michelle Rose - Cardiology Department

Dr. Michelle Rose's educational pursuits have led her all over the country. A Fairfax, Virginia native, she lived in the Washington, D.C. suburbs for 17 years and was only a young child when she discovered her passion to become a veterinarian. After graduating as her high school's valedictorian, she obtained her B.S. degree in animal science summa cum laude at the University of Florida. Dr. Rose received early acceptance into veterinary school at the age of 20, and developed an enthusiasm for cardiovascular medicine during her second year of veterinary training. She obtained her veterinary degree cum laude in 2004 from the University of Florida, and then completed an internship in small animal medicine & surgery at Texas A&M University.

Dr. Rose returned to Virginia for one year and worked as a general practitioner at VCA Barcroft Cat Hospital and VCA Beacon Hill Cat Hospital. In 2006, she was accepted into University of Minnesota's comparative cardiology residency and achieved board certification as a Diplomate of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology) in 2009, scoring the highest in her class on her board exam. 

She joined the staff at VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital and Referral Center in 2009 and is excited to be New Mexico's first board-certified cardiologist. Her professional interests include minimally invasive catheter-based procedures for the treatment of congenital heart disease, advanced echocardiographic Doppler imaging, electrophysiology and cardiac pacing, and medical treatment strategies for congestive heart failure that optimize the patient's quality of life. Dr. Rose's experience as a cardiologist, general practitioner, and fellow pet-owner enable her to customize treatments for heart disease that benefit both the animal and its human guardian whom is administering the medication. 

She and her husband (Dr. Brian Rose), a veterinary surgeon, moved to New Mexico in August 2009 with their two Pembroke Welsh Corgis and two cats. In 2010 they added a chihuahua named Wally to the family!

Dr. Don Waldron - Surgery Department

Dr. Don Waldron graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 1974.  He completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston and then was in private practice for 3 years in Florida.  Dr. Waldron was the first surgical resident at the University of Florida completing his residency in 1980.  Dr. Waldron became board certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in 1983 and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1987.

He served on the faculty at Louisiana State University from 1982 - 1988 and was a member of the surgical faculty at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine from 1988 - 2009.  Dr. Waldron has assisted in educating over 3,000 veterinarians and hundreds of interns and residents in veterinary medicine and surgery. Dr. Waldron has coauthored a surgical textbook (Atlas of Approaches for General Surgery in the Dog and Cat) and has authored over 100 journal articles and book chapters during his career.  His professional interests include all soft tissue surgery and neurological procedures. 

Dr. Waldron joined the VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital and Referral Center in Albuquerque, NM in 2009.  Along with his colleague Dr. Brian Rose, he is one of only three board-certified vet surgeons currently practicing in New Mexico.  His current work schedule is Sunday - Wednesday.  In addition to performing surgery, Dr. Waldron is the Director of Specialty Services.

In his spare time Dr. Waldron enjoys flying gliders, riding a road bicycle and jogging.  Dr. Waldron is married to his wife Claire and their family includes 3 daughters and 3 Brittany Spaniels. 

Dr. Zachary Wright - Oncology Department

Dr. Zachary Wright completed his undergraduate training with a degree in History from the University of Notre Dame and graduated from Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. Dr. Wright completed a one year rotating small animal internship in medicine and surgery at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital. He went on to complete a 3 year residency in small animal medical oncology and became a board certified veterinary oncologist in 2008 (Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Medicine - Oncology). Dr. Wright has been treating cancer in pets in Albuquerque at VCA Veterinary Care Referral Center since 2008.  He is a member of both the Veterinary Cancer Society (www.veterinarycancersociety.org) and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (www.acvim.org) and currently serves on the ACVIM Committee for Young Leadership Development.

Dr. Wright has published numerous articles and book chapters on a variety of veterinary cancer topics in respected textbooks and research journals:

Wright ZM, Chretin J. Diagnosis and treatment of a feline oral mast cell tumor. J Fel Med Surg 2006; 8:285-289.

Wright ZM, Rogers KS, Mansell J. Survival data for canine oral extramedullary plasmacytomas: a retrospective analysis (1996-2006). J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2008; 44: 75-81.

Boggs RM, Wright ZM, Stickney M, Porter WW, Murphy KE. MicroRNA Expression in Canine Mammary Cancer. Mammalian Genome 2008; 19: 561-569.

Wright ZM, Steiner JM, Suchodolski JS, Rogers KS, Barton CL, Brown MR. A Pilot Study Evaluating Changes in Canine Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity Concentrations in Dogs Treated with L-asparaginase (ASNase) and/or Vincristine for Lymphoma. Canadian J Vet Research. 2009; 73: 103-110.

Cook AK, Wright ZM, Suchodolski JS, Brown MR, Steiner JS. Prevalence and prognostic impact of hypocobalaminaemia in dogs with lymphoma. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2009; 235: 1437-1441.

Wright ZM, Fryer JS, Calise D, Oliveira F. Carboplatin Chemotherapy in a Cat with Anal Sac Apocrine Adenocarcinoma. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2010; 46: 66-69.

Kyle K, Wright ZM. FeLV induced chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In press. J Fel Med Surg.

Wright ZM, Rogers KS. Facilitating client grief. In Consultations in Feline Internal Medicine 6th Edition. Eds: August JA. Elsevier publishing. 2009.

He has also lectured to other veterinarians on various cancer topics across the United States including lectures at the annual Veterinary Cancer Society and frequent lectures to the local New Mexico veterinary community. You can also see a short local interview on Dr. Wright and one of his patients by local news station KOAT at www.koat.com/news/17870929/detail.html.

As a veterinary oncologist, Dr. Wright's areas of interest include palliative and hospice care of animals with terminal cancers, novel chemotherapies such as the recently FDA approved drug Palladia, and collaborative efforts with his human oncology colleagues. Dr. Wright is now able to offer clinical trials for dogs with various cancer types including oral melanoma, hemangiosarcoma, and lymphoma. Because of the sunny climate and high altitude, many cats may develop UV light induced cancers on their face. Dr. Wright is able to offer these cats strontium-90 radiation which can be curative in many situations.

Dr. Wright's work schedule is currently Tuesday - Friday. He begins seeing appointments at 9:00am. It is very important to always bring your pet with you for your initial consultation so that Dr. Wright can perform a thorough physical exam. Your 45 minute consultation will include multiple diagnostic and treatment options as well as a detailed description of the benefits and risks of such options. At the end of your visit, Dr. Wright will provide you and your pet with a personal email that summarizes that day's appointment so that you and your family can review all of the important information regarding your pet's cancer diagnosis.

Dr. Wright and his wife have enjoyed their time in Albuquerque. He is an avid golfer on the local courses and skier in the winter and has picked up both mountain biking and fly fishing since moving to New Mexico. But, they most enjoy taking their three dogs (Alli, Cayman, and Jessie) hiking all over the state.