Renee Leonarczyk joined our staff in 2002. She has degrees from both Bryant & Stratton and Villa Maria College. Renee has some interesting stories to tell about her first receptionist job at a veterinary practice in Atlanta. It was a hectic facility that was open from 7 am to 12 am 365 days a year. After 2 years she spotted an opportunity at a startup practice offering a comfortable, homey environment that allowed for a much better quality of patient care. The 1 1/2 years spent at this second practice help set the stage for Renne's practice expectations when she returned to Buffalo. Fortunately for us, Renee stopped in to see how we managed our practice. It was clear from the beginning that we were a perfect fit. Renee manages our front desk. She also manages a family of two, Jacob and Alecia, with the help of her husband, Greg. They have two dogs, Marty and Olivia and a grey tabby named Andre.

Stephanie Ortel earned her Associate in Science Degree in Veterinary Technology from Medaille College. As she entered practice she soon found she had a thirst for more advanced knowledge. She returned to Medaille to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology, one of only a handful of 4 year degree technicians in the country. Stephanie's intellect, maturity, and compassion allowed her to quickly assume the role of the practice's head technician. Her capabilities include the placement of arterial and central venous catheters, epidural injections, constant rate infusion management, and ventilator management to name but a few. As a compliment to Dr. Stein's mission of helping others in the profession, Stephanie is developing a national reputation for articles she has written for the leading technician journal, Veterinary Technician. She has also spoken to student and faculty groups at Medaille College presenting on the advantages of balanced pain management for patients and veterinary staff. Always one for a challenge, Stephanie adopted a German Short Haired Pointer named Otto, who was born with a serious bleeding disorder. Otto requires the constant availability of blood products should he ever need surgery or suffer serious injury. Most recently Ms. Ortel completed the training program at the University of Tennessee's Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner program earning the title Certified Canine Practitioner (CCRP). She has also completed the Chi Institute's Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine veterinary technician acupuncture program.

Dr. Bob Stein is a graduate of Michigan State University where he distinguished himself with a perfect 4.0 preveterinary GPA. He was awarded the Phi Zeta Award for graduating second in his class and the AAHA Senior Student Award for best overall proficiency in small animal medicine and surgery. His interest in surgery led him to the University of Minnesota where he spent an additional year studying advanced surgery under the guidance of the board certified surgical faculty. In 1991 Dr. Stein was bitten by the anesthesia & pain management bug while attending a multiday program at Michigan State. His general practice, the Amherst Small Animal Hospital, began the widespread use of pain medications shortly thereafter. In 1997 Dr. Stein began a series of 7 anesthesia & pain management clerkships at Michigan State University. Just last February (2006) Dr. Stein spent the entire month on the anesthesia & pain management service at the University of Florida. In December of 2005 Dr. Stein successfully completed the American Academy of Pain Management credentialing process making him only the 4th veterinarian to be awarded the title of Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management. 2006 also saw Dr. Stein complete the Chi Institute small animal acupuncture program. Dr. Stein has gone to extraordinary lengths to expand every opportunity for other veterinarians to bridge the gap from the limited programs still the norm in small animal general practice to that which he knows is currently possible with the appropriate investment in training and equipment. To this end Dr. Stein created the Veterinary Anesthesia & Analgesia Support Group website; a site that currently hosts ~20 thousand visitors monthly. Dr. Stein is also one of a select group of anesthesia & analgesia consultants on the Veterinary Information Network; an advanced information provider to over 31 thousand veterinarians and veterinary students worldwide.