Our Team

Meet Our Team

In a time when many companies have become more impersonal, we have stayed true to a family style of practice. Through effective communication, cooperation, compassion, and courtesy, we strive to provide exceptional services. We take special pride in providing each of our clients with uncompromising care and one-on-one attention.

Meet the team

John Kim, DVM

Veterinarian

Founder and director of Edgewater Animal Hospital, Dr. John Kim is from New York City. He has worked with animals his entire life, starting as a kennel assistant as a child. Prior to veterinary school, he worked at the Open Door in Times Square as a housing specialist for homeless men and women, and then as a veterinary assistant and nurse at several animal hospitals in Manhattan.

Dr. Kim received a BA degree in sociology from Vassar College and his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. He also completed an externship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. He has practiced in northern New Jersey since 2000. He is a USDA-accredited veterinarian, which allows him to provide domestic and international health certificates. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association, and Cornell Feline Health Center.

Dr. Kim is a skilled general practitioner and regularly attends continuing education seminars where he enjoys learning with other veterinarians. He also enjoys spending time with his pet patients, teaching and sharing his veterinary knowledge with clients, staff, veterinary students, elementary school children, and fellow veterinarians.

When not busy with work, he enjoys playing sports, traveling with his family, participating in community service with his church, listening to jazz music, and reading a good book.

Stephanie Santos Ortiz, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Santos Ortiz received her veterinary degree from Ross University and joined our team after several years working in New York City. Although skillful in all areas of general practice, Dr. Santos has special interests in pocket pets, preventive medicine, dentistry and cardiology. Her gentleness and empathy fit in well with our team. She is fluent in English, Spanish and is currently learning Korean.

In her spare time, she enjoys learning new languages, painting, horseback riding, spending time with her husband and pets and playing tennis.

Snezhanka Dobreva, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Dobreva grew up in Bulgaria. After working as a veterinarian in Europe for several years, she gained her U.S. veterinary license in 2013. Her years of veterinary experience, gentle nature, and calm demeanor serve as a great benefit to our clients.

Dr. Dobreva works diligently to promote the longevity, health, and well-being of pets by combining traditional medicine with holistic care, including nutrition, supplements, and physical therapy. She has special interests in veterinary dermatology, dentistry, and internal medicine. She is also a skilled and experienced surgeon. She is a member of NJVMA, and AVMA and is a USDA-accredited veterinarian.

In her spare time, Dr.Dobreva enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, her rescue cat Rupert, cooking, and reading.

Maria Bergano

Practice Manager

Maria has been with Edgewater since 2004. She is fully trained in all aspects of the practice, including reception, technician/nursing, and management. Maria is a people person with our clients and a sister figure with our staff. Her wonderful sense of humor, generosity, and professionalism help to keep the practice grounded with positivity on a daily basis. Her household is filled with dogs.

Henry Lee

Practice Manager

Henry has been with the practice since 2008. He is a prior small business owner and has extensive experience with customer service. He is fully trained in all aspects of the practice, including reception, technician/nursing, and management. He enjoys meeting and getting to know our clients, patients, and staff. Henry is also gifted in befriending people and animals. He is trilingual: in English, Korean, and Spanish. His hard work ethic, reliability, and loyalty keep the practice running smoothly.

Samantha Flynn

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Samantha has been with the practice since 2017. She is a graduate of SUNY Canton for Veterinary Science Technology in 2016. She worked for one year at an animal hospital in Florida before moving back to NJ and joining our hospital. She is trained as a Licensed Veterinary Technician but handles all facets of the practice. She is also one of our surgical coordinators. Her friendliness and positive attitude is easily picked up by our clients and their pets. She enjoys spending time with her dogs and cats.

Tania Montalvo

Veterinary Technician

Tania grew up in New Jersey and has over 20 years of experience working with animals. She is the consummate veterinary nurse. Tania is bilingual in speaking English and Spanish. She has a vast amount of pets in her home, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 turtles, a hamster and fish. When she isn't attending to her pets she focuses on family time and traveling.

Emma Lee

Receptionist

Emma gives our front desk warmth and good vibes. She loves to talk to people about pets - the human-animal bond- and to share photos of her dog Boutay. Prior to joining us she worked as a colorist at Frederic Fekkai salon in NYC.

Dorothy

Receptionist

Dorothy is one of our receptionists. She loves to greet clients and pets with a smile and make them feel welcomed. She enjoys to read, cook, travel and spend time with family and her dog.

Janet Yoo

Veterinary Assistant

Janet is one of our veterinary nurses who grew up in New Jersey and always had the passion to help and care for animals. Since she was little she had a Yorkie named Baxter and now she has three cats at home keeping her on her toes. On her down time, she enjoys spending time with her family/friends/pets and going on hikes.

Alabama

Hospital Pet (in Spirit)

“Bama,” the late personal pet of Dr. Kim, was a lemon and white Basset hound well beloved by all staff and clients. At the time the practice was founded in 2004, he was the hospital pet and greeter who stayed near the reception desk and waiting room most days. He welcomed everyone who walked through our doors. His gentle demeanor, easy going attitude, and charming good looks, made him popular with kids and adults alike. Bama was born on September 15th 1998 and joined the Kim family 3 months later. He passed away on January 22nd 2011 and will be forever remembered as the gentle dog.

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