Dr. Derrick Landini has been a practicing Chicago veterinarian since 1994 and the leader of Heal Veterinary Clinic. His passion for animal medicine prompted him to open his own clinics. A native Chicagoan, Dr. Landini is a graduate of the veterinary school at University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. He also completed an externship at University of California-Davis in avian medicine.

Dr. Landini enjoys caring for all types of pets including cats, dogs, birds, reptiles and small mammals. In addition to his veterinary practice, Dr. Landini serves on the Board of Directors for Chicago Veterinary Services, is a proactive advisor and volunteer for many rescue groups in the Chicago area, and is the proud father of 3 sons and 1 dog.

Dr. Cari Rasmussen joined the Heal Veterinary Clinic team in February 2017. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Integrative Biology in 2008 and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Dr. Rasmussen enjoys working with all species from dogs and cats to birds, reptiles and small mammals. She is a USDA certified veterinarian, and a member of the AVMA and ISVMA. She grew up in Sycamore, IL and is very excited to be serving the Chicago community. When she’s not with her patients, she’s spending time with her husband, Frank, and her two dogs, a lab mix named Addie and a Pomeranian mix named Miko. She enjoys hiking, playing piano, and traveling the world. She is very excited to be a part of the Heal Team.

Dr. Kotev has worked with Heal clients in an orthopedic surgical capacity since 2015. In July of 2017, Dr. Kotev joined the the Heal team as a veterinary staff member as well as surgeon. Originally from Bulgaria, he graduated from Thracian University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. In March of 2000, he moved to the United States and became a research associate in the Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Ohio State University, where his focus was coronary artery bypass surgery in dogs.

In 2001, Dr. Kotev joined Forest South Animal Hospital, located in University Park, IL, before moving to Kalamazoo, MI, where his wife was completing her Internal Medicine Residency at Michigan State University/Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies. For two years, he practiced as an associate veterinarian at Oakwood Animal Hospital in Kalamazoo and returned to IL, where he joined Hillcrest Animal Hospital in Rockford. Dr. Kotev’s professional interests include internal medicine, abdominal and thoracic surgery, orthopedic surgery, abdominal and cardiac ultrasound, and flexible endoscopy.

Dr. Kotev spends his time off traveling, playing volleyball, swimming, hiking, and biking with his wife Kristina, and their two beautiful daughters, Victoria and Vanessa.

Dr. Leahy is a 2018 graduate of Cornell University. She moved from the Boston area to Chicago in 2021, shortly after getting married. Her veterinary interests range from wellness and preventative care for puppies and kittens to the management of chronic disease and end-of-life care. Dr. Leahy pursued a special interest in sports medicine and rehabilitation while in veterinary school and is looking forward to expanding her skills and knowledge in this field.

Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, biking, birding, running, and generally being active in nature. She hopes to return to Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing in post-pandemic life. She lives with her husband and two cats, and is thrilled to have finally landed in Chicago!

Dr. Frentsos is a 2024 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. He is originally from Rockville, Maryland, but moved to the Chicago area shortly after graduating. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Miami studying microbiology/immunology in anticipation for medical school before switching career paths to veterinary medicine. His veterinary interests range from wellness/preventative care to emergency medicine to management of chronic diseases, but also includes ophthalmology and cardiology. While in veterinary school, he also pursued a focus on exotic medicine and is looking forward to broadening his knowledge and skills.

Outside of work, he enjoys ultimate frisbee, billiards, hiking, photography, and playing piano and guitar. This is his first time living in a city and he is excited that Chicago will be his first!

Vicki joined the Heal team in 2016. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and a Master’s Degree from National Louis University. She is a mother of two college kids, and in her spare time, she loves to travel with them, play golf and tennis, and experiment in the kitchen.

Jeri joined the Heal team in February 2020. She was raised in Oak Park and has a turtle, two cats, and three leopard geckos! Jeri has worked in pet care positions her entire career, just as she hoped when she was 7 years old. She loves live music and art exhibits with friends.

Sarah is a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) with 15+ years of experience, mainly in general practice, with experience in emergency/critical care, equine, and wildlife rehabilitation. Sarah graduated from Joliet Junior College Veterinary Technician Program in May 2008 with high honors and passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) in June 2008, earning her certification. Sarah enjoys all aspects of veterinary care, but she most enjoys working in the laboratory, interacting with and caring for all patients.

Sarah shares her home with her husband and two cats and owns a horse that lives in the Western suburbs. In her free time, Sarah enjoys horseback riding, gardening, traveling, and hiking especially in our National Parks.

Larry graduated from the Fox College Veterinary Technician program in 2017 with honors. He then passed his boards in 2018 and received his license as a Certified Veterinary Technician. He is happy to combine his passion for medicine and animals with the Heal team. Larry also has a special interest in laboratory work and surgical nursing. He likes to spend his free time watching Blackhawk games with his cat, Hawkie, and listening to 70’s rock.

Robert graduated from Fox College in 2017 and enjoyed his work with wildlife rehabilitation during his last semesters. Robert has 1 dog, a Border Collie named Gemma, and loves to spend his free time reading, painting, walking with his dog, and playing video games with his friends. Robert is a big fan of working with wildlife such as raccoons and possums.

Esther is part of the Vet Tech Team and came to Heal in March of 2017. Esther has a passion for veterinary medicine and especially likes working to support animal shelters.

Raymond is a part of the Heal Veterinary Tech Team. Raymond drove from California to Chicago with two dogs and two cats in 2013. He joined the Heal team a few months later and has been caring for our clients ever since.

Ashley joined the Heal team in 2023, shortly after moving to Chicago from her hometown Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated from Florida Southern College in 2022 with a BS in Biology and has been working in the veterinary field for almost 4 years!

Nathan joined the Heal team in 2023. He has been working in the veterinary field for many years and has a passion for working with animals. He is compassionate and always strives for strong customer communication.

Jamie has been part of the Heal Team since 2015, but she has been working in the veterinary field for over 20 years and specializing in surgery for the past 10. At home, she enjoys spending time with her husband and her son, Ben, along with their dog and two cats. She also enjoys baking for her family and friends.

Lindsay joined the Heal team in March of 2021. She moved to Chicago from Ohio in 2015 where she worked for the Chicago Tribune for 6 years. Although she currently has no pets, she grew up with many and led an animal rights organization at Bowling Green State University. She graduated from BGSU in 2014 with a degree in Visual Communications. Currently with Heal, she strives to help all clients, create marketing tools, and manage social media.

Gaby started at Heal in November of 2018. She has been in the medical field for 15 years, managing an orthodontic office for 11.5 years. Gaby loves to read, write, and organize. She is happily married and is obsessed with her furry princess Jaxy!

Jacquelyn joined the Heal team in 2017. A native California girl, Jacquelyn moved to Chicago to attend DePaul University and received her degree in Secondary Education/ History and is pursuing a second degree in Nursing from Chamberlain University. Jacquelyn currently manages the CSR team and daily operations. She loves to do anything with nature conservation/ environment preservation, cooking, and hanging out with her senior cat, Sophie!

Dakota joined the Heal team in November of 2021. He was born in Guam and raised in Indiana. He has been working in the medical field for 10 years and the animal field for 6. He has had animals his entire life, from cats and dogs to fish, birds, and reptiles. He strives to bring the best care to our client’s pets by treating them as one of his own.

Briana moved to Chicago from Oceanside, California in 2022 with her husband Simon, dog Pepper, and cat Zemo. She is currently enrolled in the Veterinary Technician program at Penn Foster. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym and spending time with her family.

Emily joined the Heal team in 2024. Hailing from rural Maryland, she has always loved working with animals, from horses to steers to cats and dogs. When she’s not at the front desk, she enjoys ambitious crafts and DIYing with her partner.