Staff Biographies

Billie Jo Lagana - Office Manager

Billie has been working in the veterinary field for over 7 years.  She met Dr. Lewis and Dr. Wolinski while working in Cambridge at Bayside Animal Hospital.  She enjoys being the office manager at Healing Hands because it allows her to work with the pets and their owners, a job that fits her outgoing and friendly personality.  Billie lives south of Cambridge with her family, their senior Chinese pug Buddy 

 Dr. Carol Lewis

Dr. Carol Lewis (formerly Dr. Carol Ross) grew up on a farm in Garrett County, Maryland where she learned about hard work and compassion for animals at a young age. She started her higher education at Garrett Community College and then received her Bachelor's degree from West Virginia University in 1986. She participated in a year-long veterinary technician internship at The Animal Medical Center in New York City and then went on to get her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. Carol worked for Delmarva Animal Hospital for 10 years and was eventually promoted to medical director. She then moved on to a position as an associate at Bayside Animal Hospital in Cambridge for 3 years. Prior to co-opening HHAH, Dr. Lewis performed relief veterinary services for several local animal hospitals.  Dr. Lewis resides in Cambridge with her husband David.

Dr. Jaclyn Wolinski

Dr. Jaclyn Wolinski was born and raised in Salisbury, Maryland. She grew up with an innate love of animals and started working as a veterinary assistant early in life. At age 16, she transferred from Wicomico High School to Salisbury University to pursue pre-vet studies. She was awarded early admissions to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at age 19. Jaclyn graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2003 and accepted her first job as a small animal veterinarian at Bayside Animal Hospital where she met Dr. Lewis. After one year she left her position there to work at several local animal hospitals as a relief veterinarian while in the process of organizing and opening HHAH.  Dr. Wolinski is co-owner of the practice with Dr. Lewis and is on staff full-time.
 

 Dr. Tara Smith

Dr. Tara Smith grew up in Hallwood, VA, about 45 minutes south of Salisbury. She attended Virginia Tech for her undergraduate studies and received her Bachelor degree from Tech in 2004. She continued on to attend Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary medicine and graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in May of 2008. Dr. Smith is excited to be at Healing Hands Animal Hospital and looks forward to serving the local community.

 Brittany Elswick- Technician/ Receptionist

 Brittany joined Healing Hands as a technician in Jun 2008.  She is currently attending Salisbury University, seeking her B.S. in orginismal biology and has aspirations about applying to vet school.  She lives in Parsonsburg with her mom Rhonda, and her dogs Riley, and Kasi. They also have seven cats, a pony, and a Bantam Rooster, Benny. In her free time, Brittany enjoys reading, bowling, and spending time at the beach.

 

 Jessie Simmons- Receptionist

Jessie is a student at Salisbury University, majoring in Business and minoring in Dance. She started working at Healing Hands Animal Hospital in June 2009. Her hobbies include dancing, hunting, and spending time with her cat, Hunter.

 Bobbie Simmons- Receptionist

Bobbie, from lower Dorchester County, lives with her husband Eddie and their 3 girls.
She enjoys hunting and being on the water. She has 2 dogs, a husky named Diesel and a lab named Detroit, and 1 cat named Demon.
Working at Healing Hands has been a nice change after spending 21 years working on the water with her husband.  One bonus is working with her daughter, Jessie, who is our part-time receptionist. 



 

   Cary Murray - Head Technician

Cary has many years vet tech experience. She has worked in a vet hospital in Clarksville and at VCA Delmarva with Dr. Lewis. She was an Animal Control officer at the Humane Society of Wicomico County where she met Dr. Wolinski. She enjoys working with animals and assisting owners with their 4-legged family members. Cary has many pets herself including horses, cats, dogs, snakes, and bearded dragons.

 Courtney Privett- Senior Technician
  
Courtney grew up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.  She worked at an animal hospital there for 5 years.  Now she lives in Pocomoke, MD  with her boyfriend Wes, as well as three cats, Star, Taffy, and Stormy, two dogs, Pisces and Rayna and a sugar glider, Pops.  She is attending Delaware Tech, currently in the Veterinarian Technician Program. She will graduate in 2010.

 Stephanie Bystrak - Technician

Stephanie graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Zoology from Salisbury University in 2001. After working in biological research with the University of Maryland for 7 years, including 2.5 years with the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, she started as a veterinary technician at HHAH.  She started as a technician when Healing Hands opened in May 2005. She lives locally with her husband, Karl, their cats, Turtle, Dusty, Monster, Sophie, Dingo, and 4 turtles- Luna, Wurtle, Speedy, and Chunky.

  Allison Wilson- Technician
Allison has been working in the vet field for 3 years.  She got a bachelors degree in Environmental Science Wildlife at Unity College in Maine.  She worked at a veterinary office in North Carolina before moving to Salisbury and starting at Healing Hands Animal Hospital.  She lives with her dog Kayda and her kitty Chippy.

 Laura Messick- Technician 

Laura is 21 years old and has lived in Salisbury her entire life. She grew up with a love for animals.  She lives on her own with 4 cats. She also has 3 horses. She enjoys  horse backriding in her sparetime.  She is currently enrolled in online classes to become a licensed veterinary technician.

  Kathy Lutz- Technician/ Receptionist

Kathy lives in Delmar with her husband and sons. She loves her Chesapease Bay Retrievers, as well as her other dogs and cats. She joined Healing Hands with technician and reception experience from another hospital. She enjoys dog shows and spending time outdoors.

  Jackie Propst- Technician

Jackie attended Delaware Technical and Community college graduating from their 2 year Veterinary Technology program in 2008. In 2009 she became a licensed Technication in the State of Maryland.  Jackie enjoys spending time with her four cats and black lab.

 Ellen Ferguson - Technician---CURRENTLY IN VET SCHOOL AT VIRGINIA TECH! CONGRATULATIONS ELLEN!

Ellen has spent her life loving animals. After receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree from The University of South Carolina, she accepted a position as a Lab Manager for an International Gas Company. A major life experience made her act on something she had known all along; she was meant to work with animals. In pursuit of happiness Ellen joined H.H.A.H. in February 2007, as a Veterinary Assistant.
Ellen is also a certified Equine Sports Massage and Canine Massage Therapist. Please check out her website at www.creaturemassage.com.  Ellen and her husband Bart, live with their Rottweillers, Sassy and Bobby. She is a mother of two aged Quarter horses, "Missy and Cody" who live at Harris Paint Horses where Ellen is a volunteer.
Ellen is currently applying to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.  She is very thankful for everyone's support through her battle with cancer!