Our Staff

Veterinarians

Dr. Brad Ochstein

Dr. O opened Island Animal Hospital with Dr. Andrew Turkell in 1995, seeing the need for a full-service family-oriented animal hospital in Palm Beach. He has long-standing ties to the island, having attended both Palm Beach Public and the Palm Beach Day School.

A 1992 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida, he has a special interest in surgery. Dr. O keeps abreast of the latest techniques and methodsand by attending surgical conferences each year.

He has worked with marine mammals at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, Florida, and at SeaWorld in Orlando, and is a member of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Dr. O enjoys boating, fishing and diving in the Florida Keys with his wife and fellow veterinarian Susan, and their sons, Christopher and Jacob.

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Dr. Andrew Turkell

Dr. T is certified in veterinary acupuncture and veterinary rehabilitation as well as traditional veterinary medicine. He is a member of the prestigious American Animal Hospital Association Council of 100, the American Holistic Veterinary Association, and the American Society of Veterinary Opthalmology.

He founded Island Animal Hospital with Dr. Ochstein in 1995, having established Calusa Veterinary Center in Boca Raton in 1990 and Boynton Beach Animal Hospital in 1985. His first Florida practice was at Lake Worth Animal Hospital, which he acquired in 1980 after graduating from veterinary school at the University of the Philippines.

He was the host of the WPBR radio show "Pet Talk," and co-produced the feature-length documentary, "Why Do They Treat Them Like Animals," a film by Jane Lowder.

Dr. Turkell lives in Delray Beach with his wife Penny, an interior designer, who he thanks for making Island Animal Hospital such a friendly and inviting place. Their son Jaret is a prominent attorney.

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Mary Ellen Scully

Dr. Scully joined Island Animal Hospital full time in 2000, and has been a part of the family ever since. She graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida in 1995, followed by internship at the University of Pennsylvania. Her special interests include internal medicine and ultrasound.

In her spare time, Dr. Scully enjoys spending time with her two cats and three dogs ( all rescued ) on the beach or in the garden.

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Dr. Susan Spilker-Ochstein

Formerly with Calusa Veterinary Center in Boca Raton, Dr. Spilker now enjoys working with her husband Brad Ochstein at the Island.

At home with beloved sons Christopher and Jacob, they enjoy the company of wonderfully different dogs. Casey is a mixed-breed who's more on the quiet side, and Sonar is a golden retriever who's full of life, to put it mildly.

Pets and children simply love Dr. Spilker..

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Receptionists

Deena

The lead receptionist at IAH is Deena. She and her fellow front-line workers take pride in assisting clients with cheerful enthusiasm, unlike the ho-hum attitudes found at some practices. On the phone and in person, Deena is a delight.

Deena is the proud owner of a Bichon Frise mix named Mikey, a Lhasa Apso mix named Morgan, and their arch-nemesis, Benny the cat.

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Karin

With three big dogs at home - a French mastiff named Stitch, a boxer named Rebel, and Jewelz, a pit bull mix - Karin has her hands full. Fortunately her African grey parrot, Riley, helps keep eveyone in line. Like so many of the people at IAH, Karin is a native Floridian, originally from Margate in Broward County.

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Shary

Here's Shary with Deena. Shary has two chihuahas who give her a lot of love.
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Nurses

Kristina

Our head veterinary nurse knows that loving attention to the animals in her care are as essential to good health as the medicines they may receive. Kristina takes the time to make sure her patients feel safe and secure. She's smart and efficient, helping the doctors and her fellow nurses in many ways.

Kristina loves her three best buddies at home, a Doberman named Jax, a Weimaraner named Killian, and Briely, her Boston terrier.

Mandy

Before coming to the Island, Mandy worked with an equine veterinarian and at other small animal practices. Mandy was born and raised in West Palm Beach. She has two wonderful cats at home, Wachovia and Crusty. Here Dr. Ochstein confers with Mandy as they consider a course of treatment.

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Jill

Another native Floridian, Jill hails from Winter Park but has lived all over the state. Gunner, her German Shepherd mix, has his hands full with Bailey, Riley, and Jackson, Jill's three cats. Here she assists Dr. Spilker.

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Ann

When Ann came to IAH in early 2008, she knew she'd found a wonderful place to work.
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Kayla

Our vet techs are highly skilled - here Kayla looks at an ear cytology. Kayla comes from the Big Bend area along the North Florida Gulf coast, near Appalachicola. She has a pit bull at home named Tri.

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Kennel/Grooming

Sean

When pets board at IAH, they're in the best of hands with Sean. He gives them walks and baths, and most of all, love. Sean and Mr. Bell pose for the camera on the courtyard just outside the kennel door.

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Administration

Maggie

The woman behind the scenes at Island Animal Hospital is Maggie, the practice manager.

A native of Ireland , Maggie is a client service guru who is glad to give guided tours.She knows the practice inside and out. She keeps the doctors and staff in order, and her experience and calm professionalism help to keep everything running smoothly.

Maggie adores her huge basset hounds Louie and Auggie, and enjoys watching her toy poodle Coco boss them around. Coco's the queen of the castle, and Maggie calls her her "five-pound pit bull."

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