Our team is proud of our collaborative approach to specialty care that includes working closely with the family veterinarian, the pet owner, and our fellow colleagues. Our specialists work tirelessly to have all of the most sophisticated resources on hand to provide each and every patient the best outcome possible. Our support team always keeps the health and well-being of our patients as the most important factor during their time with us.
To find out more about all of the people that make us special, please click the name of the doctor below.
Dr. Lee Simpson joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center in 2011. She graduated in 1979 from Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1996, Dr. Simpson began to study acupuncture and Chinese medicine in Houston, Texas. She became certified in veterinary acupuncture by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 1996. In 1997, she took a veterinary chiropractic course and became certified in animal adjusting (animal chiropractic) by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. In recent months, Dr. Simpson has attended courses in food therapy and advanced acupuncture at the Chi Institute for TCVM in Florida.
Dr. Simpson’s professional interest in alternative veterinary medicine started 15 years ago when she felt limited in treating chronically ill patients with conventional veterinary medicine. Her natural and complementary therapies include: herbal medicine, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, nutritional counseling for homemade diets, animal adjustments (animal chiropractic), and many types of supplements. In her free time, Dr. Simpson passions include bird and wildlife watching, the environment, traveling, gardening, and cooking.
Certified Animal Behavior Consultant
Susan Bulanda joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center in January of 2010 and is a certified animal behavior consultant.
Susan was first recognized as an accomplished dog trainer in 1963. During her career, she has worked with many dogs in various fields. She is recognized worldwide as an expert in Canine Search and Rescue and as an animal behavior consultant. She is certified as an animal behavior consultant specializing in dogs and cats with the International Association of Animal Behavior consultants (IAABC). Susan served as the vice president and dog chairperson with the IAABC. She is on the advisory committee of the National Search Dog Alliance, and has formed and ran two canine search and rescue units. She was one of three judges selected to judge England’s first and second International Canine SAR competitions. Susan is a senior conformation judge for the United Kennel Club and has shown a variety of breeds in the conformation ring.
She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a Master of Arts degree in education. She is an adjunct professor at Kutztown University, where she developed two programs for the Lifelong Learning Center: the Canine Training and Management Program, Level I for students who want to become dog trainers and Level II for students who want to begin their studies as a canine behavior consultant.
Susan is an award-winning author who has lectured worldwide and has written hundreds of articles and the following books: God’s Creatures: A Biblical View of Animals; READY! The Training of the Search and Rescue Dog; Ready to Serve, Ready to Save: Strategies of Real Life Search and Rescue Missions; Scenting on the Wind: Scent Work for Hunting Dogs; The Boston Terrier; and The Canine Source Book. In the corporate world, Susan worked as a system analyst for engineering firms, specializing in material control and critical methodologies.
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology)
Dr Dennis Burkett joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center in January of 2006 and is board certified in both cardiology and emergency and critical care.
A 1984 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Burkett also completed his residency in emergency medicine and critical care at the University of Pennsylvania in 1987, becoming board certified in 1993. He returned to academia in 2002 and completed residency training in cardiology in 2005, achieving board certification in 2007. His professional interests include cardiology, emergency medicine, and critical care, with a special interest in cardiopulmonary emergencies
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology)Dr. Ellen Davison joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center in October of 2009 and is board certified in cardiology.
A 2001 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Davison worked in private practice for 5 years before returning to the University of Pennsylvania in 2006 for a cardiology residency, becoming board certified in 2009.
Dr. Davison enjoys all aspects of cardiology, especially non-invasive cardiac procedures. She has intensive training, interest and experience in the treatment of congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and diagnostic echocardiography.
Meg Sleeper VMD graduated from the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school cum laude in 1993. After completing a rotating internship in medicine and surgery at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center, she returned to the University of Pennsylvania for a residency in cardiology. She is an associate professor of cardiology and has been the section chief there since 2001. Primary research interests include inherited heart diseases, in particular inherited cardiomyopathies and therapeutic gene transfer. She has over 50 peer reviewed journal articles and 35 review articles.
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Dr. Candace Carter joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center in August of 2003 and is board certified in internal medicine.
Dr. Carter graduated from the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996 and then completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts. She practiced small animal medicine locally as an associate at Walbert Animal Hospital in Allentown, PA, from 1997-1999. She went on to complete a small animal medicine residency at Michigan State University from 1999-2002. She spent one year as a clinical instructor at the University of Pennsylvania before returning to practice in the Lehigh Valley at Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center in 2003.
Dr. Carter’s interests include immune-mediated disease and hematological disorders. She continues to find all facets of internal medicine rewarding. She is able to perform endoscopy, colonoscopy, rhinoscopy, cystoscopy, bronchoscopy and ultrasonography to meet a variety of diagnostic challenges. Dr. Carter strives to provide quality medical care and answers so that her clients can make educated decisions regarding the welfare of their beloved pets.
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Dr. Ronald Hodges is an owner and senior internist at Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center. He has been board certified in internal medicine since 1996 and has been caring for pets in the Lehigh Valley since 1997.
After graduating from Tuskegee University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1987, Dr. Hodges completed a one-year small animal internship at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, Florida. He then completed a small animal residency at the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1991, he joined on as a small animal practitioner at Wyncote Animal Hospital. He became CEO and owner of the Small Animal Veterinary Internal Medicine Referral Hospital of Langhorne, Pennsylvania in 1994. In 1997, he became the owner and CEO of the internal medicine department of Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center.
A high achiever since childhood, Dr. Hodges was valedictorian of his high school and was on the honor roll, Dean’s list, and graduated within the top 10% of his class at Tuskegee University. In 1991, he received a Small Animal Internal Medicine Resident Teaching Award from the University of Tennessee. He was also awarded the Tuskegee University Eastern Regional Achiever Award in 2001.
Dr. Hodges has authored several publications and continues to provide conference presentations and continuing education seminars. He also currently holds several active committee memberships. In 2003, he became an Executive Board Member of Valley Central Veterinary Emergency Center. In 2004, he became a member of the Corporate Leadership Committee for the Philadelphia Zoo.
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Dr. Ronald Hodges is an owner and an internist at Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center. He has been board certified in internal medicine since 1996 and has been caring for pets in the Lehigh Valley since 1995.
A graduate of Tuskegee University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1987, Dr. Hodges completed a one-year small animal internship at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, Florida. He then completed a small animal residency at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1991, then joined on as a small animal practitioner at Wyncote Animal Hospital. In 1994, he became CEO and owner of the Small Animal Veterinary Internal Medicine Referral Hospital of Langhorne, Pennsylvania. And In 1996, he became the owner and CEO of the internal medicine department of Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center.
A high achiever since childhood, Dr. Hodges was valedictorian of his high school and was on the honor roll, Dean’s list, and graduated within the top 10% of his class at Tuskegee University. In 1991, he received a small animal internal medicine resident teaching award from the University of Tennessee. He was also awarded the Tuskegee University Eastern Regional Achiever Award in 2001.
Dr. Hodges has authored several publications, and continues to provide conference presentations and continuing education seminars. He also currently holds several active committee memberships. In 2003, he became an Executive Board Member of Valley Central Veterinary Emergency Center. And in 2004, he became a member of the Corporate Leadership Committee for the Philadelphia Zoo.
Practice Limited to Ophthalmology
Dr. Mary Landis joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center in August of 2005.
Dr. Landis received a BA in chemistry with a minor in mathematics in 1995 from Temple University. In 1996, Dr. Landis earned a MA in physical chemistry. She then joined the Barnett Institute at Northeastern University for postgraduate work in materials science and engineering. Dr. Landis continued her studies by earning a veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine in 2004.
Dr. Landis has received many awards including, Employee Excellence in 2006 from Doylestown Animal Medical Clinic, Department of Chemistry Excellence in Teaching Award in 1998 from Northeastern University, Academic Excellence in Materials Science in 1998 from Barnett Institute of Materials Science and Ernst Giessen Award for Outstanding Achievement in Materials Science Research in 1997.
Her clinical interests include corneal and orbital disease as well as other comparative aspects of ophthalmology.
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
Dr. Robert Peiffer joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center in May of 2003 and is board certified in ophthalmology.
Dr. Peiffer graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1971. He then went to Iowa State University for a small animal internship before returning to a busy small animal practice in Minneapolis. Dr. Peiffer went to Purdue University for a residency and then returned to the University of Minnesota for his ophthalmology training as a NIH fellow. He became board certified in ophthalmology in 1976 and received his PhD in 1981.
Dr. Peiffer was a researcher, educator, and director of a region-wide veterinary referral practice and he currently is a Professor Emeritus and holds a research position with Merck & Co. His professional recognitions and accomplishments include past-presidencies of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, the American Society of Veterinary Ophthalmology, and the International Society of Veterinary Ophthalmology; being the first editor-in-chief of the specialty’s journal; and receiving awards from the American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association for professional and scientific achievement.
Practice Limited to SurgeryDr. Salvador Galindo joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center in 2010.
Originally from the northeastern coast of Vera Cruz, Mexico, he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and mathematics from the Diaz Miron College. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University Autonomous of Tamaulipas in 1995.
In 1998, after completing a two-year postgraduate training in surgery and anatomy in his native country, he moved to the United States where he began working at Chicago’s largest surgical referral practice. He then spent two and a half years at the veterinary school at Purdue University to further his knowledge in small animal medicine and surgery. While at Purdue, he underwent certification of his veterinary degree through the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinarian Graduates by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Following his accreditation, he joined a fast-paced small animal emergency and referral hospital in Tampa, FL, where he completed an internship.
Dr. Galindo completed a three-year American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) residency program in the small animal surgery department at the Veterinary Referral Center of Malvern, PA. He has extensive experience and specialized training in a broad range of soft tissue and orthopedic procedures, including fracture repair, abdominal procedures, and plastic reconstructive surgery. While his research focus during his residency was on a novel medial shoulder stabilization procedure, he gained and diversified his training to include TPLO, TTA, total hip replacement, TPO, interlocking nail, laryngeal paralysis, cardiovascular, urinary system, thoracic and neurological surgeries.
Dr. Galindo has given professional presentations on various aspects of surgical diseases and its treatments. His personal interests include spending time with family and friends, reading, biking, short distance triathlons, movies, and foreign languages.
Practice Limited to Surgery
Dr. Carlos Hodges is an owner and surgeon at Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center and has been caring for pets in the Lehigh Valley area since 1996.
Dr. Hodges comes from a family of veterinarians. His father is a retired general practitioner in Philadelphia and he works with his brother, a veterinary internist. Dr. Hodges graduated from Tuskegee University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1985. He completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery from 1985-86. Dr. Hodges completed a one-year fellowship in surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, completing a research project in veterinary dentistry under the guidance of Dr. Colin Harvey. Dr. Hodges completed a surgical residency at Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine from 1987-90. His research was in chylothorax under the guidance of Dr. Terry Fossum. In 1990, Dr. Hodges accepted an appointment as Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and Orthopedics at the teaching hospital of the Texas Veterinary Medical Center at Texas A&M University from 1990-96, working with Dr. Don Hulse. He remained in that capacity with interests in soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and veterinary dentistry until June of 1996 when he began the surgical practice at Valley Central.
Dr. Hodges’ surgical interests include but are not limited to soft tissue surgery, neurosurgery, and orthopedics. He is certified in the Kyon TTA & Total Hip, and performs TPLO and Tight Rope surgeries for the cruciate deficient stifle. Dr. Hodges is also certified in the Biomedtrix Total Knee Replacement. He performs minimally invasive orthopedic (arthroscopy, ACL, & fracture fixation), soft tissue surgery (gastropexy, ovariohysterectomy, bladder stone removal, etc), and thoracoscopy procedures (lung biopsy, pericardectomy).
Dr. Hodges won the research portion of the ACVS residents competition in 1990. He is a member of the AVMA, AAHA, PVMA, LVVMA, and serves on the board of the Valley Central Veterinary Emergency Hospital. Dr. Hodges joined the Novartis/Hills Osteoarthritis Speaker Advocate Panel in 2010. Dr. Hodges co-hosts the Animal Doctor Show on Channel 69 WFMZ-TV Allentown, PA, with Kathy Craine. He is also a frequent participant on MyFox Philly 29 and WCAU-TV Philadelphia. Dr. Hodges has hosted a Wednesday’s Foster Child segment sponsored by Freddie Mac from WCAU-TV Philadelphia. The segment won the PVMA’s Media Award in 2004.
Dr. Hodges and his wife, Ardeth, have a daughter, Raya, and a cat, Sophina. Outside the hospital, he enjoys cycling, scuba diving, wine and beer tasting, golf, traveling, and hiking.
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Dr. Ezra Steinberg joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center in July of 2010. He grew up in Orange County, NY, and went to college at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, where he majored in neuroscience.
Dr. Steinberg graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006 and completed a one-year small animal internship in medicine and surgery at the Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, NJ. He then returned to the University of Pennsylvania and completed a 3-year residency in small animal surgery. Dr. Steinberg became boarded in 2011.
Dr. Steinberg’s professional interests include minimally invasive surgery such as laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, and arthroscopy. He has lectured at several international orthopedic conferences on the subject of tibial tuberosity advancement for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament injury. He is published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice and has also worked as an instructor in wet labs at the Penn Annual Conference.
In his free time, he enjoys going to the beach, snowboarding, and finding new places to hike with his dog, Wesley.
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