Joseph A. Impellizeri, DVM, DACVIM

Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
Medical Director, Chief - Department of Oncology

Dr. Impellizeri is a 1994 graduate of Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed a small animal medical and surgical internship at Colorado State University in 1995. After five years in small animal primary care and emergency medicine, he completed a three-year ACVIM oncology residency program at The University of Illinois and Sacramento Animal Medical Group and became a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (specialty of Oncology)

Dr. Impellizeri is the only full-time, board certified veterinary oncologist in the Hudson Valley. Through his efforts, we can offer the latest advances in advanced chemotherapy, cancer vaccines, minimally invasive biopsies and advanced imaging including outpatient ultrasound.

Dr. Impellizeri also heads the center's Bone Marrow Transplant Team for K9 Lymphoma and is the principle investigator on several clinical studies, including a collaborative effort with Vassar College, where he holds an academic position as an Adjunct Professor of Biology.

Dr. Impellizeri’s is now one of only less than 300 board-certified oncologists in the world. We are fortunate to have his skill and expertise here in the Hudson Valley.

Dr. Sacha Mace, BA, DVM, DACVIM

Dr. Sacha Mace’s family roots are right here in the Hudson Valley. Her Grandfather was Newburgh’s postmaster, and her parents grew up as neighbors. She now returns to set her roots in a center of excellence. Sacha received her DVM degree from Mississippi State University, completed her Small Animal Internship at Michigan Veterinary Specialists and her Small Animal Internal Medicine Residency at Sacramento Animal Medical Group and Louisiana State University. She is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (SAIM). Her expertise includes endoscopy, cardiology, respiratory, ultrasound and infectious diseases.

Dr. Mace identifies with special needs pets and her home contains a menagerie of her loveable animals with diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma. Sacha is an Adjunct Professor for the Veterinary Technician Program at Bergen Community College and contributes to the education of future veterinary nurses.

Dr. Mace will be available on Saturdays and Sundays for Specialist Consults, weekend endoscopy, ultrasounds and echocardiograms and Emergency and Critical Care transfers. We are thrilled to add her to our team of specialists at the Veterinary Specialty Center of the Hudson Valley.

Dr. Philip Pacchiana, DVM, MS, DACVS

Department of Surgery

Dr. Pacchiana has performed thousands of orthopedic, soft tissue, and neurosurgical procedures and has experience in treating almost all surgical conditions in dogs and cats.

- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota (1993-1997)
- Internship in Medicine and Surgery, Oradell Animal Hospital (1997-1998)
- Internship in Surgery, Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center (1998-1999)
- Residency in Small Animal Surgery, University of Minnesota (1999-2002)
- Masters of Science in Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota (2003)
- Board-certified by American College of Veterinary Surgeons since 2003
- Chief of Surgery, Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists (2002-2010)
- Nearly 20 peer reviewed publications in academic journals
- Lecturer at numerous national and local meetings

Dr. Shelley Skopit, DVM

Department Head ANIMAL ER

Dr. Shelley Skopit leads our team of doctors to take care of your pet 24/7. Originally from South Florida, Dr. Skopit had been practicing small animal veterinary medicine, surgery, and acupuncture in Westchester, New York prior to joining our team of emergency veterinarians. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2003, and completed her clinical year at University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She also completed coursework and training to pursue certification in veterinary acupuncture through the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, in Reddick, Florida. Dr. Skopit’s main interests are internal, integrative, emergency, and conservation medicine; and soft tissue surgery. She lives in Yorktown, New York with her husband, whom she met in veterinary school, their two dogs, and their cat, who hails from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. Her hobbies include baking and cake decorating, hiking, biking, traveling, and photography.

Dr. Lori Awadalla

Dr. Lori Awadalla is a recent addition to the Veterinary Specialty Center of the Hudson Valley. A native of Georgia, she attended the State University of New York at Geneseo and received her Bachelor's Degree in Biology with a minor in Mathematics in 2004. She continued her education at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine from 2004 to 2006, then completed a clinical year at Auburn University and was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2007.

Dr. Awadalla's professional interests include surgery and emergency medicine. When she's not busy with her duties at the hospital, Dr. Awadalla can usually be found outside. She is an experienced equestrian and participates in dressage and jumping events. She also enjoys running races, hiking and traveling. Her most recent trip was to Cairo, Egypt. Her animal companions include Isabelle, a "mutt" originally from St. Kitts, and Eddie, a cat.

Dr. Jeremy Sabatini, DVM

After receiving his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2002, Dr. Sabatini did a clinical year at Kansas State Veterinary Teaching Hospital and a medical and surgical internship at Long Island Veterinary Specialists in Plainview, New York. He also served as chief veterinarian of the Trevor Zoo for two years, and worked in the exotics departments at the Animal Medical Center and the Bronx Zoo.

Dr. Katie Clark, DVM

Dr. Katie Clark has been an emergency room veterinarian for several years and absolutely enjoys the challenges and rewards in practicing emergency critical care medicine. She was born and raised in North Carolina, the youngest of three children. Dr. Clark has 3 nieces and 1 nephew whom she loves to spend time with whenever possible. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from North Carolina State University. Thereafter, she worked for years as a general practice and emergency room veterinary technician before attending veterinary school. Dr. Clark completed her senior clinical year at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with highest honors with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Her special interests in veterinary medicine are extraordinary patient care, internal medicine, teaching, and critical care medicine. Dr. Clark moved to Hudson Valley area in 2005 and has since been practicing as a general practitioner as well an emergency/critical care clinician. She resides in the New Paltz area with her four amazing dogs. Solomon (Sheppard mix), Maggie (German Shorthair Pointer), Lady (Pit Bull), and McGrupp (Australian Cattle Dog) are her wonderful dogs whom enjoy hiking and swimming with their mom when she is not working. Dr. Clark is also an avid kayaker and loves to paddle whenever she can on the many rivers in this beautiful area.