Experience

Ventura College Foundation

• United States
• Philanthropic Fundraising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Board Member

  • Jul 2022 - Present

  Newly elected Board Member of the Ventura College Foundation a non-profit organization that manages donations to Ventura College for student scholarships and college program support. "The Ventura College Foundation transforms students’ lives through education by providing innovative and vital resources and financial support. The Foundation collaborates with Ventura College to enhance human potential, civic engagement, careers, and academic success of students enabling their effective impact and legacy on the college, local workforce, and our community. Established in 1983, the Foundation is one of the most successful community college foundations in California, having raised more than $40 million dollars for the Ventura College and its students." Show less



Ventura College

• Higher Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Faculty Member - Veterinary Technology (Dept of Agriculture)

  • Oct 2020 - Present

  I assisted in developing and launching Ventura College's new Veterinary Technology program in the spring of 2021 (both Certificate in Veterinary Assisting and an Associates in Veterinary Technology degrees are offered). Currently, I am part of the instructional faculty am leading the effort to obtain AVMA accreditation for our program. Although I am no longer the Lead Faculty (Program Director), I still assist administration with program refinement in areas of course and faculty development and mentor student cohorts through program. This has been an incredibly rewarding process to be part of a completely different type of start-up organization! The most amazing part is receiving positive feedback from our program students that love the classes but are even more excited when they directly apply knowledge and skills learned in class at work in the vet hospitals that they are currently employed at. Show less



Islander Veterinary Business Consultants, LLC

• Owner/Partner

  • Jan 2015 - Present

  Founded with the value of Aloha from our island upbringing, Dr. Janis Shinkawa and I realized that there was a need for compassionate and values driven business management in veterinary medicine. Holding both degrees in business and veterinary medicine, it is a natural fit and a passion for us to help our colleagues with their management needs including: HR issues, training managers, putting together training and development plans for staff, evaluating hospital flow, inventory management, pricing structure, customer service training, and marketing plans. We've helped three large start-up veterinary practices that in 2020 are wildly successful and continuing to grow. In addition, we've worked with other colleagues on smaller scale HR and marketing projects. We are majority owners in Ohana Pet Hospital located in Southern California where we promote a culture of family, compassion, community, and connection. Our special interest is in developing and training veterinary managers. Problems with management leads to poor culture, high turnover, and negative employee morale in veterinary hospitals which ultimately is costly in both profitability and productivity. We educate managers on both good business management practices but also train them on essential skills such as compassionate communication, leadership, and wellness. The end goal is to develop caring, healthy, resilient, competent, and confident leader-managers that will support their teams with compassion, understanding, praise, and support. Show less



Ohana Pet Hospital

• United States
• Veterinary
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Owner/Partner

  • Nov 2012 - Present

  Ohana Pet Hospital was founded on the values of Compassion, Community, and Connection. We strive to provide compassionate care for our family, our Ohana. Currently Ohana is a 10 doctor progressive companion animal general practice. With the majority of our doctors internship trained, we are proud to offer high-quality medicine to our patients in a caring, family-feel setting for our pet parents. We foster an internal culture of family and caring, providing our staff with a robust benefit package, training, and support. We see the value and importance of the human-animal bond on a daily basis and understand that our role extends beyond providing medical care for our patients. We listen with empathy, we celebrate the wins both big and small, we share in the ache of loss, and are always growing. We are here for the pets, pet parents, community, environment, and each other.....we are Ohana. Show less



Ohana Pet Teaching Hospital

• Vice President / Board Member

  • 2016 - Dec 2021

  Ohana Pet Teaching Hospital (OPTH) is a non-profit organization with the mission of promoting veterinary education while providing local rescue/shelter animals with affordable care. OPTH strives to connect the veterinary community, animal rescue organizations, local schools/colleges, the local business community, and the community at large to provide educational opportunities to promote the human-animal bond. The ultimate beneficiaries are the animals - as we provide our beloved animal companions with compassionate, high-quality medical care and improve the chances for the many that are still seeking their forever homes. Show less



Buena Animal Hospital

• United States
• Veterinary
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Veterinarian

  • Jun 2004 - Nov 2012

  Wonderful veterinary hospital specializing in canine and feline companion animal medicine and surgery. We have 3 full time veterinarians and are located in the beautiful southern California beach town of Ventura. Wonderful veterinary hospital specializing in canine and feline companion animal medicine and surgery. We have 3 full time veterinarians and are located in the beautiful southern California beach town of Ventura.



Tustin Avenue Veterinary Hospital

• Associate Veterinarian

  • Aug 2003 - Jun 2004

  Small Animal Veterinary Hospital located in Orange County in southern California. Canine and feline companion animal practice - medicine and surgery. Small Animal Veterinary Hospital located in Orange County in southern California. Canine and feline companion animal practice - medicine and surgery.



Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group

• Veterinary Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Veterinarian - Intern

  • Jul 2002 - Jul 2003

  Small animal (canine and feline) specialty hospital located in Ventura, CA. Specialties include general and orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, radiology, internal medicine, oncology, critical care and emergency medicine. Small animal (canine and feline) specialty hospital located in Ventura, CA. Specialties include general and orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, radiology, internal medicine, oncology, critical care and emergency medicine.