Staff Biographies

Billie Jo Lagana - Practice Manager

Billie was born and raised in lower Dorchester County. She met Dr. Lewis and Dr. Wolinski while working in Cambridge at Bayside Animal Hospital.  She enjoys being the practice 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. She is currently working toward getting her CVPM (Certified Veterinary Practice Manager) credentials.  Billie lives south of Cambridge with her family and 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.  She also graduated from a 226-hour post-graduate class on veterinary spinal manipulative therapy (chiropractics) with a focus on neurology.  She and Dr. Lewis worked together to open Healing Hands Animal Hospital in 2005.  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.

 Dr. Kristin Cody
Dr. Kristin Cody grew up in Buck's County, Pennsylvania and has always been passionate about caring for animals.  She received her Bachelor's degree from Muhlenberg College in 2005 and then worked for two years as a veterinary technician.  She continued on to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where she received her veterinary degree in 2011.  Although she is a native of Pennsylvania, her home away from home has long been at her family's residence in Berlin, Maryland.  Dr. Cody is excited to have recently moved to the area and is very happy to join the Healing Hands Animal Hospital family.
 

  Brittany Elswick- Receptionist

 Brittany joined Healing Hands as a technician in Jun 2008.  She is currently seeking her RN license at Wor Wic Community College before transferring to Salisbury University for her bachelor's degree in nursing.  She completed the veterinary assistant training in April 2008 at Wor Wic. In her spare time she enjoys reading, working out, going to the beach, spending time with her boyfriend, Jim, and her golden retriever, Riley.  

 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 cats, Hunter and Spooke.

 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 - Senior 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 started working at Healing Hands Animal Hospital when they opened in 2005. She enjoys working with animals and assisting owners with their 4-legged family members. Cary has many pets herself including horses, cats, dogs, snakes, a sulcata tortoise and a bearded dragon.

 Courtney Privett- Registered Veterinary 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, three dogs, Pisces, Rayna, and Saige and a sugar glider, Pops.  She graduated from the Veterinarian Technician program at Delaware Tech in August 2011! Congratulations Courtney!

 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 Healing Hands Animal Hospital.  She started as a technician when Healing Hands opened in May 2005. She lives locally with her husband, Karl, their cats, Turtle, Dusty, Monster, Dingo, and 2 turtles- Luna and Wurtle.

  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 Chippie. She has been a member of the Salisbury Roller Girls since March 2010.

Brandon Jaskewich- Technician 
Brandon has been working in the vet field for 4 years. He earned his degree in Veterinary Technology from an AVMA accredited program. He is currently working towards becoming a licensed veterinary technician. He is an Eagle Scout since 2004. He enjoys the beach, where he works part-time at Chauncey's Surf Shop.  

 Jes Smith- Technician
Jes started with a BA in Psychology from Salisbury University.  She worked in that field for a few years until she realized that her true passion lied in working with animals. Jessica then went back to school and graduated from Delaware Technical and Community College with an Associate's in Veterinary Technology.  She interned for Healing Hands over the Summer of 2011 and obtained employment there once her internship ended.  She lives locally in Delmar, MD 
 

  Kathy Lutz- Technician
 










 

  Jackie Propst- Licensed 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, black lab, and chocolate lab.

 Ashley Lynch- Technician

 Ashley is from Northern Virginia but attended college at Coastal Carolina University in South Caroline where she earned her B.A in Psychology. She is currently in school to become a licensed veterinary technician. Ashley just got married on Oct 9, 2010 to Justin. They live together in Delmar with their 2 dogs; Scooter and Jazmine, 3 cats; Orange, Kitty, and Phoenix, and their 1 rat; Leonard. Ashley has been with HHAH since June 1st, 2009. She has been a member of the Salisbury Roller Girls since March 2010.

Kerri Liming - Technician
Kerri grew up in New York and received her Bachelor of Art degree from Salisbury University.  After working as a Park Naturalist at Pemberton Historical Park for 2.5 yrs, she started at HHAH as a veterinary technician in the fall of 2011.  She is looking forward to working towards becoming a licensed veterinary technician and enjoys playing roller derby with Allison and Ashley, hiking, and spending time with Simba (HHAH's cat) on the weekends.

  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 in vet school at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.  She is very thankful for everyone's support through her battle with cancer!