Dr. Mark G. Burns

Dr. Mark G. Burns, Downtown Veterinary Medical Hospitals’ founder, medical director, and staff internist, has made pet health his life’s passion. For over 30 years, he has attended to the medical needs of dogs, cats, and other family pets. In turn, he has helped DVM Hospitals Group grow into a 3-location, 12-doctor practice with over 50 support personnel. Dr. Burns received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Immediately after graduation, Dr. Burns was commissioned as a Captain in the US Army Veterinary Corps and served at the US Army Medical Research Laboratory in Fort Knox, KY. He followed his military service with an internship at the Animal Medical Center in NYC and a residency in internal medicine at the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine in Davis, CA. After completing requirements in the specialty of internal medicine, Dr. Burns was inducted as a diplomat into the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

In 1982 Dr. Burns founded the Tribeca Soho Animal Hospital to address the expanding pet health needs within the downtown Manhattan community. In 1995, he added the West Village Veterinary Hospital, and, in 2000, launched the Battery Park Veterinary Hospital. In addition to being an accredited USDA veterinarian, he is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the New York State Veterinary Medical Society, the Veterinary Medical Association of NYC, the NY Academy of Science, and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Dr. Burns has also published articles in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. The Burns family has “an ever-changing number of cats, dogs, and fish” and two birds.

Dr. Alexandra Koprowski

Dr. Alexandra Koprowski is from the Maryland shore. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in French Literature from Princeton University, and her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. After veterinary school, Dr. Koprowski completed two intensive one-year internships at the New York City’s Animal Medical Center — one in general medicine, the other in surgery. Dr. Koprowski brings a special interest in surgery, endoscopy, and rehabilitation to her practice of veterinary medicine. She is fluent in French and passionate about Rufus, her long-haired Dachshund, and the cat and two dogs that she rescued here in NYC.

Dr. Timnah Lee

Dr. Timnah “Timi” Lee always dreamed of being a veterinarian while growing up in Wilmington, Delaware. She attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry, and a minor in Biology. In Saratoga Springs, she also excelled in training horses and competing nationally in equitation. Following her undergraduate studies, Dr. Lee was admitted to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine where she was awarded her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine degree. She did her clinical year at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Lee is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New York State Veterinary Medical Society, and the Veterinary Medical Association on NYC. Her professional interests include dermatology, dentistry, and internal medicine. During her leisure time, she spends time with her two cats, Matti and Brinley, who she rescued while living in St. Kitts. Dr. Lee has gained national attention for her expertise and care with pets. (http://www.youtube.com/user/PetAdviceSeries)

Dr. Jessica Lauren Melman

Dr. Jessica Lauren Melman follows in her family’s footsteps and is the third generation to be come a veterinarian. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, magna cum laude, with a B.S. is Animal Sciences, she received her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania, along with a Small Business Certificate from the university’s Wharton School. Dr. Melman was awarded an internship at VCA Manhattan Veterinary Group in internal medicine, general medicine, surgery, ophthalmology, oncology and neurology. Dr. Melman offers in-depth experience in these areas to her patients, as well as a love of all kinds of animals. She and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Quincy, enjoy New York City and traveling together.

Dr. Kyoko Yoshida

Dr. Kyoko Yoshida offers an international perspective, having grown up in Tokyo, Japan, and southern California. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Animal Sciences. She attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, where she received her DVM degree. After graduation, she was awarded an internship in small animal surgery and medicine at the Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Norwalk, CT. She joined the staff of the Tribeca Soho Animal Hospital in 2002. Dr. Yoshida enjoys all aspects of practice in New York City and has a specialized interest in soft tissue surgery, oncology, and pain management. She is fluent in Japanese and conversational in French. Dr. Yoshida has three cats and two dogs.

Dr. Suzanne Zelman

Dr. Suzanne Zelman is a native of Greenwich Village whose love for animals blossomed while working with horses. She received a B.S. in Animal Science along with a minor in Art History, magnum cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. As an undergraduate, she was recognized as a Commonwealth Scholar and received the departmental award for outstanding scholarship and excellence in research. She was awarded her DVM degree from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Dr. Zelman pursued her interests in veterinary surgery and dermatology during her internship in small animal medicine and surgery at NYC Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center. Although she still rides horses, these days Dr. Zelman tends to spend more time with her cats, Pooh and Wiggy.

Piotr Stachera

Piotr is the Practice Manager at our Tribeca Soho Animal Hospital.