Veterinarian Overview
Dr. LeslieDr mitas web pic What is your educational and veterinary medicine background? I grew up in Beverly and attended Christ the King grammar school and Marist High School. I received my bachelors in science (BS) degree in Animal Sciences with a focus on pre-veterinary biotechnology from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. I received my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and my PhD in Pathobiology in 2018 from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. My doctoral studies focused on tumor cell metabolism and were funded through a fellowship from the Midwest Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center (NIH). I am currently completing a Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. What made you decide to become a veterinarian? I wanted to combine my love of animals and my passion for science. The quality of care I learned at LePar early in my veterinary career reinforced my understanding of how much a veterinarian can help their families, friends, community, and all the animals around them. What is your most memorable moment as a vet? A farm call near Bloomington, Illinois where we had to trim hooves and vaccinate 25 rambunctious goats in a darkly lit, extremely dusty, multi-tiered barn/goat playhouse. It was essentially three hours of hot, dusty goat wrastlin and I loved every minute of it. How did you come to join LePar Animal Hospital? I worked as a veterinary assistant at LePar during my undergraduate years in college and have always stayed in touch with my mentors Dr. Whalen and Dr. Bauer. When it came time for me to graduate veterinary school, I was very lucky that LePar had an opening for a veterinarian. What are the best things you find about being a veterinarian? Communicating difficult science to owners so that they understand the medical reasoning behind the decisions we make for their companion animal best friends. Also
puppies. What is the most common problem you encounter in the pets you see? A little too much love
. in the form of treats. Many pets could afford to live a more active lifestyle and shed some extra weight. What are your special interests in the field of veterinary medicine? I am most interested in veterinary preventative medicine, veterinary oncology, and preserving public health via zoonotic disease control. What is the most unusual pet you have helped treat? A hedgehog with pneumonia. We had to use a potato chip-clip to gather his spines (quills) to one side so we could get a clear x-ray beam shot of his lungs. What are your favorite activities outside of treating pets? I enjoy seeing Chicagos great sport teams, enjoying live music, and geeking out over craft beer releases. Chicago has great sporting, music, and beer culture. What is your biggest pet peeve? When people dont use their turn signals. I love turn signals. Favorite place to eat? K-Pauls Louisiana Kitchen in New Orleans Favorite place to visit? The Shedd Aquarium. Favorite movie? Good Will Hunting and The Lion King Favorite food? Oysters What is your favorite sports team? Chicago Bears Name 3 things most people might be surprised to learn about you? 1. The first place I saw a cow was at the Lincoln Park Zoo. 2. I volunteered at a horse rescue in undergrad and am really good at driving a tractor. 3. I never, ever check the weather. I prefer to be surprised.
