Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Hosts Graduation for 62nd Class of Interns and Residents, Celebrating Next Generation of Veterinary Professionals
Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Hosts Graduation for 62nd Class of Interns and Residents, Celebrating Next Generation of Veterinary Professionals
The world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital and NYC’s only Level 1 Veterinary Trauma Center honored its 2026 class of interns, specialty interns, ACE interns, and residents, adding to its robust alumni network of accomplished veterinary leaders
Press Release
New York, NY – June 25, 2026 – The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) proudly celebrated its 62nd class of over 50 interns and residents with a graduation and award ceremony on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Rockefeller University. These graduates now join thousands of veterinarians who have received training through AMC’s Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Institute for Postgraduate Education, offering industry-leading educational opportunities in clinical veterinary medicine for over sixty years.
“As the world’s largest postgraduate veterinary teaching institution, education remains a key part of AMC’s 115-year mission. With nearly 60,000 patient visits each year, AMC interns and residents benefit from a large and diverse caseload, gaining unparalleled training and mentorship under the guidance of the best and brightest leaders in the field. This year’s graduates have shown great promise, and we can’t wait to see where their AMC education takes them next,” said Helen M. Irving, RN, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of AMC.
“Congratulations to the Class of 2026 on the exceptional work you have demonstrated during your time at AMC. It has been a pleasure watching you grow throughout your internships and residencies, both as individuals and veterinary professionals. Whether you go on to pursue board certification, general practice, clinical research, or beyond, this is just the beginning of a long and fulfilling career in veterinary medicine,” said Katherine Quesenberry, DVM, MPH, DABVP (Avian), Chief Medical Officer at AMC.
Graduating Interns, Specialty Interns, and ACE Interns
AMC’s Internship Program is one of only a handful of programs accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. Interns rotate through many of AMC’s 20+ specialties and services over the course of one year, working with a high level of support from AMC’s board-certified veterinary specialists.
Of the 31 interns in this year’s class, 24 will go on to advanced training, with twelve accepted into residency directly after their rotating internship, and twelve going into a specialty internship. Nine interns will stay on at AMC to pursue specialty internships or residencies in Surgery, Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging, Emergency & Critical Care, Internal Medicine, or Neurology, and six interns will enter private practice.
The AMC Specialty Internship Program provides advanced training for veterinarians who, following a general internship year, elect to complete a one-year focused internship under the guidance of board-certified veterinarians in a particular specialty.
The Accelerated Critical Care and Emergency (ACE) Internship Program is designed to provide training and mentorship to aspiring private practice ER doctors. Working in New York City’s only Level 1 Trauma Center under the tutelage of AMC’s renowned Emergency & Critical Care staff, interns drastically expand their clinical skillset and emergency medicine experience by the end of this program.
The graduates of AMC’s 62nd class of interns, specialty interns, and ACE interns and their next steps are included here.
Graduating Residents
AMC’s three-year Residency Program prepares veterinarians for board certification and expertise in their chosen specialty, drawing upon the knowledge of AMC’s specialists and varied caseload. Residents are given the opportunity to conduct original research and participate in conferences, rounds, and seminars and engage in partnerships with established research institutions, such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, NYU Langone Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, and The Rockefeller University.
The graduates of the AMC Residency Program are:
- Josh S. Chang, DVM, Internal Medicine
- Julie Choi, DVM, Cardiology
- Shana R. Coffey, DVM, Surgery
- Davia Kot, DVM, Avian & Exotic Pet Medicine
- Alexandra Kravitz, DVM, CCRT, CVA, Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine
- Bianca Landfield, DVM, Internal Medicine
- Brynna Lee, DVM, Emergency & Critical Care
- Kelly M. Muller, DVM, Neurology
- Lauren A. O’Mara, DVM, Diagnostic Imaging
- Jay Pakhawala, BVSc & AH, Internal Medicine
- Sarah Stroope, DVM, Emergency & Critical Care
- Kate Olivia Tasker, DVM, Emergency & Critical Care
- Chelsea Lynn Tyler, DVM, Surgery
- Betsy Wong, DVM, Neurology
- Margaret Wong, DVM, Oncology
Award Presentations:
AMC also presented several awards during the 62nd Graduation Ceremony to postgraduate students as well as faculty and staff, including:
- Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Licensed Veterinary Technician of the Year Award: Amanda Stout, LVT
- Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Veterinary Assistant of the Year Award: Andrew Espeut
- Connie Leifer Resident Research Award: Lauren O’Mara, DVM and Alexandra Kravitz, DVM
- Clendenin J. “Mike” Ryan Memorial Award for Outstanding Teaching: Molly Pfeifer, DVM, DACVECC
- Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Outstanding Resident of the Year Award: Bianca Landfield, DVM
- Donald J. Bruckmann Award for Outstanding Intern of the Year: Lindsay Stone, DVM
Earlier this month, on June 18, AMC hosted a white coat ceremony to welcome its 63rd class of interns and the newest crop of talented veterinary professionals. Graduating from a variety of prestigious veterinary programs across the U.S. and abroad, these 36 interns add to AMC’s team of 140+ veterinarians who work to provide world-class medical care to pets and their families 24/7, 365 days a year.
For more information on AMC, visit www.amcny.org.
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About the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Hospital of New York City
We are the world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital with NYC’s only level 1 trauma center. Our team of 140+ veterinarians work across over 20 specialties to provide world-class medical care, and we are here for pets and their families 24/7. We are proud to have served the people and pets of New York, and beyond, for 115 years. More at: www.amcny.org. Follow on Instagram @amcny, on X @amcny, Facebook at The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, LinkedIn, and YouTube @TheAnimalMedicalCenter.
AMC Media Contacts:
Shin-Jung Hong, ShinJung@nicholaslence.com | Cell: 617-413-7880
Pia Fischetti, Pia@nicholaslence.com | Cell: 516-287-5815