Medical Team
Christian Blauvelt, DVM
Special Interest in Dermatology
Dermatology & Allergy
Christian Blauvelt, DVM
Dr. Christian Blauvelt is a Long Island native from Levittown. He has always had a passion for veterinary medicine growing up and followed in the footsteps of his father and veterinary mentor, Dr. Laurence Blauvelt. He attended The Ohio State University, in Columbus, Ohio for his undergraduate education, majoring in biology and receiving a minor in animal sciences. Dr. Blauvelt received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California with a focus in Small Animal Medicine. He completed his one-year general internship at Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS). He currently resides in Long Island with his Chinese Shar-Pei.
In addition to coming from a family of veterinarians, Dr. Blauvelt grew up in a family of musicians. He enjoys spending his spare time playing drums and guitar. One of his greatest passions is track and field, and while an undergraduate, he fulfilled a life-long dream when he competed as a walk-on long/triple jumper for The Ohio State University Track & Field team. Prior to veterinary school, Dr. Blauvelt served as the head coach of the Island Trees High School Track and Field teams.
Jonathan C. Goodwin, DVM, MS
Dip. ACVIM (Cardiology)
Cardiology
Jonathan C. Goodwin, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Dr. Goodwin attended Cornell University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in animal science. He earned his doctoral degree in veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University. In 2000, after completing an internship with an emphasis on internal medicine and cardiology at Coral Springs Animal Hospital, Dr. Goodwin went on to complete a cardiology residency at Purdue University, finishing in 2008.
Dr. Goodwin is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in the sub-specialty of Cardiology.
Shadi Ireifej, DVM
Dip. ACVS
Director, Emergency Services
Shadi Ireifej, DVM, Dip. ACVS
Shadi J. Ireifej graduated from the State University of New York at Binghamton where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (2001, Magna cum laude). He then attended Cornell University where he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (2006, DVM).
After completing his studies at Cornell, Dr. Ireifej participated in an intense one-year small animal medicine and surgery rotating internship at Angel Animal Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts (2007), followed by two rigorous one-year small animal surgical internships at Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS) in Plainview, New York (2009).
Dr. Ireifej achieved his board certification in small animal surgery by completing a three-year small animal surgery residency at LIVS (2012), and subsequently became a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (DACVS). After operating for almost 10 years at LIVS, Dr. Ireifej elected for warmer weather, and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2016.
In Las Vegas, Dr. Ireifej became a staff surgeon at Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center (LVVSC). In 2017, he began flying across the United States, performing surgeries at a number of emergency and specialty hospitals in need of surgical assistance. This was followed by a Chief of Surgery position at United Veterinary Specialty and Emergency in Silicon Valley, California. Managing their three locations, Dr. Ireifej and his team successfully cared for dogs and cats in the Campbell, Mountain View, and San Jose areas.
In 2018, Dr. Ireifej joined TrueCare for Pets in the Los Angeles, California area as Chief of Specialty, where he was instrumental in growing the after-hours and weekend emergency hospital to a successful 24/7 emergency and multi-specialty veterinary hospital. While the size of the hospital tripled, Dr. Ireifej instituted hospital-wide protocols, managed the surgery, internal medicine, and oncology departments, and became a leading force on social media platforms.
In 2020, Dr. Ireifej changed gears in his already illustrious career, finding a novel and state-of-the-art means of reaching concerned pet owners and their ill pets worldwide, VetTriage. Dr. Ireifej currently serves as their Chief Medical Officer. In 2021, Dr. Ireifej returned to LIVS as Director of Emergency Services.
Dr. Ireifej has been published in scientific and medical journals and enjoys lecturing to a variety of audiences. He is known for being a positive force and energetic force, both professionally and personally.
Kay Kim, VMD
Dip. ACVO
Ophthalmology
Kay Kim, VMD, Dip. ACVO
Dr. Kay Kim grew up in northern New Jersey as the middle child of three. She benefited from the perks that come with life outside the city, such as trips to Broadway musicals, concerts at Lincoln Center, and renowned museums while still enjoying the quiet of small-town suburbia. Although she always had a love for animals, Dr. Kim did not initially plan on being a veterinarian and graduated with honors from Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After graduation, Dr. Kim worked for three years as a veterinary assistant in a small animal hospital on the Upper East Side of New York City. This job changed her life, as it allowed Dr. Kim to realize that caring for animals and their owners would be an inspiring, challenging, and rewarding career.
She received her Veterinary Medicine Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008. Following completion of a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Kim joined Long Island Veterinary Specialists in 2010 for a one-year ophthalmology internship under the mentorship of Dr. John Sapienza. In 2013, Dr. Kim completed a three-year residency program in comparative ophthalmology at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and achieved board certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
Dr. Kim returned to LIVS in September 2013 as a staff ophthalmologist. Her areas of special interest include infectious corneal disease and cataract surgery. While the majority of her patients are of the cat/dog variety, Dr. Kim has examined the eyes of creatures of all shapes and sizes, ranging from geckos to guinea pigs to horses and even reindeer. As an active member of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society and Long Island Veterinary Medical Association, she hopes to continue sharing her knowledge of veterinary ophthalmology with her colleagues through continuing education.
Dr. Kim is excited to be in the New York metro area, where many of her friends and family reside. In her spare time, Dr. Kim enjoys reading, hiking in Harriman State Park with her Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Maddie, and napping with her Ragdoll cat, Flynn.
Nicole Leibman, DVM, MS
Dip. ACVIM (Oncology)
Oncology, Radiation Therapy
Nicole Leibman, DVM, MS, Dip. ACVIM
Dr. Nicole Leibman received her veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota, did her internship at the Animal Medical Center, and completed her medical oncology residency at Colorado State University. She has been practicing clinical oncology for more than 15 years in the New York metropolitan area. She has since conducted clinical trials and published results on the canine melanoma vaccine for both oral and digit tumors. Dr. Leibman has also studied the treatment of mast cell tumors in dogs and published several studies on the staging and treatment of this disease..
She has recently completed a study looking at glutathione supplementation and absorption in dogs. She was awarded the Robert S. Brodey Memorial Award for Outstanding Clinical Science Research Project in Oncology. Dr. Leibman has ongoing clinical trials investigating immunotherapy for injection site sarcomas in cats. Currently, she is closely collaborating with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and NYU Langone Medical Center on a project looking at the genomic analysis of canine tumors.
Catherine A. Loughin, DVM
Dip. ACVS, Dip. ACCT
Soft Tissue, Oncologic,
Orthopedic, Neurosurgery
Catherine A. Loughin, DVM, Dip. ACVS, Dip. ACCT
Dr. Catherine Loughin grew up in a small town west of Cleveland, Ohio. Her interest in animals began at the age of 4 when her father brought her to their cousin’s veterinary clinic. Her cousin was proficient in canine and equine surgery, and his influence guided her career into veterinary surgery. Dr. Loughin obtained her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Michigan, and doctor of veterinary medicine from Michigan State. Dr. Loughin was a general practitioner for 2 years at Animal Medical Hospital in Charlotte, NC. She then accepted a 1 year general internship at Long Island Veterinary Specialists. That one year progressed into a second year as a surgical intern, and then 3 more years for a surgical residency and she is now a staff surgeon.
Dr. Loughin has published over 20 research papers, several book chapters, and has been an invited lecturer locally, nationally and internationally. She is one of the founding members of the Canine Chiari Institute at Long Island Veterinary Specialists, and she is the director of education and research. She also sits on the medical advisory board for the Chiari and Syringomyelia Foundation. Dr. Loughin’s surgical interests are neurosurgery, orthopedic, and reconstructive surgery.
Dominic J. Marino, DVM
Dip. ACVS, Dip. ACCT, CCRP
ACVS Founding Fellow, Joint Replacement Surgery
Soft Tissue, Oncologic, Orthopedic, Neurosurgery, Physical Rehabilitation
Dominic J. Marino, DVM, Dip. ACVS, Dip. ACCT, CCRP
Dr. Dominic J. Marino is the Chief of Staff of Long Island Veterinary Specialists, the Director of the Canine Chiari Institute, and a founding board member of the One Medicine Foundation (formerly the New York Veterinary Foundation). He is one of four children and grew up in Plainview, Long Island, the son of a Plainview pediatrician (Leonard) and a singer/small business owner and supermom (Jane).
Pursuing his life-long animal passion, Dr. Marino attended Auburn University in Alabama where he attained a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Following graduation, he attended the University of Georgia to complete a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery. Excited to return to his home state, Dr. Marino then completed a three-year comprehensive residency in small animal orthopedic, soft tissue, and neurosurgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. During his residency, Dr. Marino was honored with the Martin and Beatrice Weiser Outstanding Research Award and the North Shore Animal League Petering Scholarship Award.
Dr. Marino is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (AVCS) and is the former head of the Orthopedic/Neurosurgery service at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. In addition to his achievements in the field of surgery, Dr. Marino is also one of a handful of veterinary surgeons certified as a Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. He was the first veterinarian to become board certified by The American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT), where he was granted the status of research fellow. Fulfilling his desire to make “cutting edge” veterinary medicine available to the pets of Long Island, Dr. Marino joined with Drs. Kaplan, Sapienza, and Panic and started “Island Veterinary Referral” which later evolved into Long Island Veterinary Specialists.
Dr. Marino has published many scientific articles and authored chapters in both human and veterinary medical textbooks. He lectures extensively on many surgical topics including soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, and neurosurgery, as well as Tactical Combat Casualty Care and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care, at both human and veterinary surgical conferences nationally and internationally. Dr. Marino has collaborative research projects with several institutions including Stonybrook Medical School and Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island.
In 2021, Dr. Marino was recognized as an ACVS Founding Fellow in Joint Replacement Surgery (JRS). He pioneered the development of nano and micro total hip replacements in dogs and cats and is a leader in the field of total hip replacement surgery, authoring dozens of research publications and textbook chapters on the subject. ACVS Founding Fellows are distinguished leaders as evidenced by their exemplary training, extensive experience, innovative research, and committed practice. They devote a significant portion of their professional effort to seeking to prevent, diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate patients in the specialized field of joint replacement surgery. Dr. Marino has performed over 2,000 THR procedures, starting in the early nineties. His areas of special interest include joint replacement surgery, brain surgery, and spine surgery.
Dr. Marino served as chairman of the Eastern Veterinary Orthopedic Society for several years and as a member of the National Advisory Board of North Shore Animal League America. He is the director of The Canine Chiari Institute at Long Island Veterinary Specialists and on the board of directors of The One Medicine Foundation (formerly the New York Veterinary Foundation), Veterinary Recommended Nutraceuticals, the Police Surgeons Benevolent Association, and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation, where he serves as president. Dr. Marino served as chairman of the scientific advisory board of the Chiari Syringomyelia Foundation and is currently a board of trustee member. Dr. Marino also serves as the surgical consultant for The Humane Society of New York, NY; Nassau University Medical Center, Uniondale, NY; North Shore Animal League America, Port Washington, NY; Bide-A-Wee Animal Adoption Center, Wantagh, NY; The Guide Dog Foundation, Smithtown, NY; Sweet Briar Nature Preserve, Smithtown, NY; New York City Police Department, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Nassau County Police Department, Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, Transportation Security Administration, Port Authority of NY & NJ, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the 106th Rescue Wing, United States Air Force / ANG Pararescuemen.
Dr. Marino is a Major in the United States Army Reserves, and an Affiliate Professor of Surgery at the Long Island University, College of Veterinary Medicine. In early 2022, Dr. Marino became a New York State licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). In 2023, Dr. Marino was presented with the ACVS Lynn Wheaton Philanthropy Award. Dr. Marino enjoys running marathons, half marathons, travel, fitness, "all things Italian" and spending time with his family and house full of pets.
Angels Prades-Sapienza, DVM
Internal Medicine Clinician
Internal Medicine
Angels Prades-Sapienza, DVM
Dr. Angels Prades-Sapienza graduated from the Univeristy of Barcelona, Spain in 1989. After working in private small animal practice in Barcelona and the Canary Islands, Angels completed an externship at Maison-Alfort in Paris, France. She came to the US for the first time to do a one-year externship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center , and then returned a few years later to fuflfill all the requirements for license certification in NY State. Angels has been a team member of our facility since its inception. Dr. Prades' primary interest is in internal medicine and ultrasonography. She is also well versed in veterinary anesthesia. Dr. Prades can be seen wearing several hats at Long island Veterinary Specialists; she assists primarily in the internal medicine department, but also regulary oversees activities in the ophthalmology department as well. Angels loves the team approach at LIVS and the interactions between departments at our facility.
When not working, Dr. Prades is busy with her two children, Marc and Angelina. She is married to our veterinary ophthalmologist, Dr. John Sapienza. As a family, they enjoy travel to Europe, especially her home country of Spain. Dr. Prades is fluent in four languages: English, Catalan, Spanish and French. She has 2 energetic dogs (one rescue Golden Retriever named Zara and an adopted Yellow Labrador called Mark), a guinea pig named Janie and Gómez the lizard. Dr. Prades enjoys spending time with her family, reading historical fiction books, cooking Spanish and Catalan meals. She makes a delicious Spanish paella and does an annual calçotada with her friends and family (home-grown green onion feast).
John S. Sapienza, DVM
Dip. ACVO (Ophthalmology)
Ophthalmology
John S. Sapienza, DVM, Dip. ACVO
Dr. John Sapienza is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists since 1993, and he is the consultant veterinary ophthalmologist at the Bronx Zoo and N.Y. Aquarium. Dr. Sapienza is the head and department chairman of the ophthalmology department at Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS) in Plainview, NY. Dr. Sapienza’s special interests are cataract surgery with phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, laser glaucoma therapy, glaucoma implants, and reconstructive eyelid procedures. He was the first veterinary ophthalmologist to perform phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in animals on Long Island, NY.
Dr. Sapienza was the first veterinary ophthalmologist in the U.S. to perform injectable foldable acrylic intraocular lens implants in dogs. He has conducted extensive studies on the effect of laser energy in eyes with glaucoma and has published several articles on glaucoma therapy, Golden Retriever (Pigmentary) uveitis, and ocular reports in exotic species.
Dr. Sapienza's special surgical interests include endolaser glaucoma therapy, glaucoma implants, vitreoretinal surgery with the repair of retinal detachments as well as cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants. Dr. Sapienza currently is the only veterinary ophthalmologist in the Northeast U.S. who performs repairs of detached retinas in dogs and has received referrals for retinal disorders from all over the country.
He has lectured extensively throughout the Continental U.S., Hawaii, Japan, Europe, and South America. Dr. Sapienza speaks fluent Spanish, and is a frequent lecturer in Spain, as well as North and South America, for interactive advanced courses in Spanish. Dr. Sapienza received national attention for his medical treatment of "Ashley" the cat, owned by Regis and Joy Philbin, resulting in an appearance on the "Live with Regis" show.
Dr. Sapienza is married to his lovely wife, Dr. Angels Prades-Sapienza, a veterinarian from Barcelona, Spain, and they have two wonderful children, Marc and Angelina. The Sapienza family enjoys their extended pet family of three dogs and laying hens. Dr. Sapienza enjoys traveling with his family and in his downtime, tending to his garden, fig trees, and grapevines.
Michel Selmer, DVM, MS
CTCVMP (Integrative Medicine)
CVMMP (Chiropractic)
Integrative Medicine
Michel Selmer, DVM, MS, CTCVMP, CVMMP
Dr. Michel Selmer is an Integrative Veterinarian and one of a handful of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Practitioners in the world that holds a Master’s Degree.
He attended Long Island University and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. Following his undergraduate studies, he was admitted to Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine and earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1995. Following his Traditional Veterinary studies, he was admitted to the Chi Institute where he graduated with the top honor of being a Certified Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Practitioner (CTCVMP). His most recent certification is in Veterinary Medical Manipulation (chiropractic) (CVMMP).
Dr. Selmer is a published author and consults with other veterinarians as well as pet parents around the globe. In 2018, he made the exciting decision to join the Long Island Veterinary Specialists team as the Lead Veterinarian in their Integrative Medicine Department.
The passion Dr. Selmer has for his profession - and his love for all animals - has contributed to the high quality medicine that he practices.
Joshua W. Tumulty, DVM
Dip. ACVIM (Internal Medicine)
Internal Medicine, Radioiodine Therapy (I-131)
Joshua W. Tumulty, DVM, Dip. ACVIM
At an early age, it was clear to Dr. Tumulty’s friends and family that he was going to dedicate his life to the well-being of animals. Whether it was dogs, rabbits, birds, the family pet skunk, or the local deer and turkey, animals were always an influence in Dr. Tumulty’s life. His journey to becoming a veterinarian was finally realized when he graduated in 1999 from The Ohio State University.
Dr. Tumulty graduated with honors from the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio, where he received both a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree. He received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University, where he was awarded the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Award for Excellence in Small Animal Medicine. Dr. Tumulty completed a one-year internship in a small animal medicine and surgery, and a two-year residency in small animal internal medicine at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. While a resident, Dr. Tumulty received the Outstanding Veterinarian Award for Excellence. He is board certified by The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and is currently Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at Long Island Veterinary Specialists.
As chairman of the Internal Medicine Department, Dr. Tumulty has enjoyed his role as mentor to the many young veterinarians at Long Island Veterinary Specialists. Through the last decade he has helped guide many young doctors toward finding their passion in veterinary medicine – be it in a specialty area or in general practice. Dr. Tumulty’s goal is to work together with referring veterinarians to provide the highest level of medicine, as well as to support and educate families as they explore all available options for their pet, allowing them to enjoy a life free of pain and suffering, preserving their dignity and elevating their quality of life. Having had personal pets diagnosed with diabetes, thyroid disease, renal failure, and lymphoma, Dr. Tumulty sees every patient as if one of his own. His professional areas of interest include all aspects of internal medicine, including medical oncology, cardiology, as well as ultrasonography and minimally invasive video endoscopy.
Dr. Tumulty is a native of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, but followed his career and his heart to New York. Away from work, Dr. Tumulty finds his greatest happiness with his family, including one dog and cat (each rescued). He and his wife enjoy attending the theatre and rooting for the Steelers, but especially spending time with their son. On the weekends you may find them at the local dog park exercising their dog, or the playground, trying to keep up with their son.
Robert Waddell, DVM
Dip. ACVS-SA Soft Tissue, Oncologic, Orthopedic, Neurosurgery
Robert Waddell, DVM, Dip. ACVS-SA
Robert Waddell, known to most as Bob, grew up in Nassau County, New York as the middle child to a NYPD officer and an airline stewardess. Bob grew up with a menagerie of pets including Golden retrievers (Ivy, Holly, Amber, Dahlia), a black lab (Kitt), Yellow Labradors (Lucky, Huckleberry), an Amazon Yellow Nape Parrot (Maxwell), and a squirrel (Squbba the Super Squirrel). Dr. Waddell graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland where he received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. Bob was on the way to becoming a NYPD officer like his father, when he switched his career plan. He decided to combine his drive to help people with his love of animals. He began his career at North Shore Animal League and Long Island Veterinary Specialists before heading off to veterinary school.
Dr. Waddell earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree when he graduated with honors from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Waddell completed his veterinary clinical training at Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine and was the recipient of the Brasmer Award for Small Animal Surgery. Remembering how much he enjoyed working at Long Island Veterinary Specialists and helping his childhood community, he returned to his home to complete an intensive one year small animal internship in medicine and surgery at Long Island Veterinary Specialists. He then completed a one year surgical internship before again returning to Long Island Veterinary Specialists where he completed a three year residency program, under the direction of Dr. Dominic J. Marino. Dr. Waddell enjoys all aspects of small animal surgery with special interests in orthopedic and neurologic procedures including those that are minimally invasive.
When he is not providing care to his patients, Dr. Waddell enjoys spending time with his extended family; still located on Long Island, spending time in nearby Manhattan, hiking with his dogs, and losing himself in the art of carpentry work. He is an avid fan of the New York football Giants, New York Mets and the New York Islanders.