AMC Impact Report

Our $125 million investment will ensure that AMC can meet the increasing demand for service, bolster new technologies, recruit high-caliber veterinary practitioners, and provide the most advanced training for interns and residents.

Last year, we celebrated the completion of several key projects, including: opening the state-of-the-art Denise and Michael Kellen Institute for Surgical Care, offering unparalleled surgical capabilities from routine to the most complex cases; the debut of AMC at York Avenue, expanding primary care and ophthalmology services; and the opening of our beautifully redesigned AMC lobby, creating a welcoming and modernized space for clients and staff.

These advancements were pivotal in our efforts to cross the finish line in 2025 with the anticipated completion of our new Trauma Center, Conference and Lecture Center, and the Medical-Surgical Unit with the accompanying outdoor Dog Run.

We hope you will consider joining us in building the AMC of the future by making a gift to our Gift of Love campaign. Please contact AMC’s Development office at (212) 329-8660 for more information or make a gift online.

Established in 1954, AMC’s Caspary Research Institute aims to advance veterinary medicine through innovative clinical research. The institute’s initiatives often include collaboration with human health clinicians and researchers studying illness and conditions with similarities to those in animals. Such collaborations improve methods of diagnosis, advance medical and surgical treatments, and help prevent disease in animals and humans.

In January, AMC opened the Denise and Michael Kellen Institute for Surgical Care as part of the hospital’s $125 million transformational center-wide expansion. Tripling the capacity with more than 7,000 square feet of state-of-the-art space, the new Surgical Institute was designed by architects Perkins & Will and now features five brand-new operating rooms, a minor procedure room, a recovery room separating dogs and cats, and a new Central Sterile Center.

The new Surgical Institute distinguishes AMC as one of the few hospitals nationwide with such advanced capabilities. As the only Level 1 Trauma Center in New York City, AMC is now equipped to handle emergent and intricate cases that may pose challenges elsewhere in terms of care.

There are cases like Ollie, a three-year-old mixed breed who went through unsuccessful surgery elsewhere to correct excessive curvature in one of his front legs. It was only at AMC with a team led by Dr. Pamela Schwartz that Ollie received the care needed to fix his condition. Or Sherlock, a Shih Tzu patient of Dr. Jonathan Ferrari, who had open chest surgery to remove a thymoma (tumor of the thymus gland) and is now cancer-free. The new surgical center will allow AMC to treat and save many more cases like Ollie and Sherlock in the future.

Additionally, AMC partners with the FDNY and NYPD to provide care for their K9 officers, two of whom underwent life saving surgeries at AMC and were present at the Surgical Institute’s “leash” cutting ceremony. Jake, a 7.5-year-old German Shepherd trained in explosive detection, patrol, and tracking, had to undergo a lung lobectomy to remove a ruptured bullae. Shabba, a 6.5-year-old Belgian Malinois also trained in explosive detection, had gastropexy surgery to prevent gastric dilatation-volvulus, a potentially fatal condition.

“Opening our new surgery center is a huge milestone for our entire team and expands the possibilities for the care and treatment we can provide at AMC,” said Pamela Schwartz, DVM, DACVS, CCRP, Department Head of Surgery at AMC. “The excitement about the lives that will be saved, treatments that will be pioneered, and teaching that will occur on this floor is not just palpable, it is invigorating. As we move into this new space, we are so grateful to AMC’s supporters who have made this a reality, and we cannot wait to get to work.”

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus’s publication, “Improving Access to Advanced Veterinary Care for Rescued Cats and Dogs” in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, serves as a model for animal hospitals looking to enhance rescue care. Drawing from the success of the longstanding AMC to the Rescue (AMCTTR) charitable fund, Dr. Hohenhaus outlines a proven approach to expanding access to veterinary services for rescued animals. Her work provides a compelling, evidence-based framework that veterinary institutions can follow to improve outcomes for animals in need, ensuring they receive the advanced medical care they deserve.

“AMC has recruited the best board-certified veterinarians from across the country to both meet the needs of our clients and to provide unmatched veterinary care. We are excited to welcome such outstanding veterinarians – all with a proven track record across a diverse range of specialties and expertise,” said Helen M. Irving, RN, MBA, President & CEO of AMC. “Our new veterinarians hail from practices across the country. Seasoned or starting their career, all will add to our world-class team of compassionate clinicians ready to serve New York and beyond.”

AMC’s support for its veterinary technician workforce is unique in veterinary medicine. In 2021, the hospital appointed its first veterinary technician to the leadership team in the Chief Veterinary Technician role. In 2024, we continued to elevate the Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) role at AMC by launching a new Technician Career Ladder to provide clear and meaningful opportunities for LVTs to grow their clinical and leadership skills and advance their careers. This career advancement structure is designed to match individual passions, skills, and ambitions, offering pathways to develop expertise, take on leadership roles, and make a lasting impact on patients, peers, and the veterinary field. The program offers four areas of growth:

• Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS)
• Management
• Clinical Educator
• Advanced Clinical Technician (ACT)

As part of this career growth initiative, AMC’s VTS Support Program offers extensive training for technicians seeking advanced VTS certification. With AMC’s large and varied caseload as NYC’s premier specialty animal hospital, our technicians gain hands-on experience that fuels their clinical passions. Our LVT Clinical Educators guide applicants through the VTS process, while externship opportunities are available for veterinary technology students.