Our Staff

Nicole DeLalla-Katz, Practice Manager

Co-founder, CEO

Nicole was born and raised in Whitestone, Queens, where her parents would only allow pets without fur. She and her brother took full advantage of that and had fish, turtles, lizards, newts, frogs, gerbils, mice and birds. She raised and hand-fed baby cockatiels and conure parrots, and they had a beloved box turtle named Boxy that they rescued from becoming roadkill. She always wanted to work with animals, particularly as a field biologist to study African elephants in the wild.     
 
She has worked in over 13 animal hospitals in every position from front desk client service, veterinary assistant and veterinary technician and overnight emergency technician. She is on a mission to improve the experience at the hospitals for both patients and their human parents, and she is confident there’s always room for improvement.
 
She and her family have a motley crew of adorable rescues. Roscoe, a 115-pound chocolate Lab/ Great Dane mix who is a smart and sneaky character; Hamza, a pit bull/Boxer mix who was starved, abandoned and left tied up in the lobby of our hospital (sweetest boy in the world!), and Nuke, a Belgian Malinois mix who almost died from Leptospirosis as a puppy (the prior owner did not want to pay for his medical treatment and surrendered him to us). And a sweet mush of a tabby cat named Murray who was also abandoned at our hospital.
 
Nicole has been married to Dr. Stephen Katz since 1995, the same year they opened the original hospital on the Grand Concourse. They have three daughters, two of whom work in the hospital. In her free time, she enjoys playing with the family pets and going to the gym. She is a certified personal trainer and loves helping women become stronger and more confident. She is also a nature lover and avid hiker, and she has climbed some of the highest mountains in the Northeast including Mt. Katahdin in Maine and Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. 

Kirsys Rodriguez, General Manager

Both Locations

Hello there,

My name is Kirsys Rodríguez. I’ve been working with animals all my life. Yup! Animal lover here! 
I’ve tried a few other things in life but I knew that helping our furry babies was my passion.
Today, I am the manager of The Bronx Veterinary Center. Building a strong team that strives to give excellent service and pure love to all of your fur babies.

Welcome to my family!

Ashley White, Assistant, CSR

Ashley was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, and grew up with her family dog, Poochie. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a teacher and leader, driven by her love for helping others and meeting people’s needs. Before joining the veterinary field, Ashley worked as a Home Health Aide and later completed euthanasia training through a course provided by Bronx Veterinary Center. She enjoys the problem-solving that comes with each case and finds fulfillment in supporting both pets and their families. Ashley values the blend of compassion, teamwork, and continuous learning that veterinary medicine offers each day. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband and three children, cooking new recipes and desserts for family and friends, and unwinding with reality shows and true crime documentaries.

Michal Almeida, Groomer

Webster Avenue

Micahl was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in a family with turtles, parrots and dogs. She moved to the US when she was 10 years old. She wanted to become a fashion designer, but her passion for animals led to a career in veterinary medicine. She loves the variety of the work she does at BVC, where she has worked since 2018. She and her family, including a 5-year-old son, share their home with two Chihuahuas and a poodle puppy. In her free time, she enjoys grooming pets and dressmaking.

Jasmarie Jordan, Assistant/Reception

Assistant/Reception

Webster Avenue

Jasmarie was born in Philadelphia and raised in the Bronx with a cat named Ashes and a dog named Taz. While she thought she wanted to work in human medicine, she found she preferred caring for animals. She plans to continue her education in veterinary medicine because she enjoys working with animals and learning new things.
 
She considers herself to be a dog person, though in addition to three dogs, she shares her home with two cats and three geckos. She is also the mother of four amazing human kids who have four different personalities. She likes to spend her free time with family, going hiking or doing family events like visiting Massachusetts. Her guilty pleasure is wanting to help and adopt every animal that needs a home.

Tennesha Anthony, Assistant Manager

Eastchester Road

Tennesha was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. Before joining Bronx Veterinary Center, she worked in the Department of Education teaching children, and originally dreamed of working in the beauty industry doing hair and lashes. After becoming part of the BVC team, she discovered a passion for veterinary medicine and patient care, which is now the aspect of the field she enjoys most. Most of her training has been hands-on through her work at Bronx Veterinary Center, where she continues to grow her skills every day. At home, Tennesha has a full house with three dogs—Benji, Charlie, and Blu—and one very special cat, Chelli, who holds the only cat-shaped space in her heart. Family is extremely important to her, and she comes from a large, close-knit family that celebrates every birthday and holiday together. When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with loved ones and still loves doing hair and lashes in her free time.

Alex Rodriguez, Supervisor

Webster Avenue

Bio coming soon.

Maria Perez, Supervisor

María brings a unique blend of leadership experience and creative energy to her role as Supervisor at BVC. With over two decades of retail management experience, including overseeing 200+ employees, María has developed strong skills in team leadership, conflict resolution, and customer service. Her love for animals began in childhood while caring for her family pets, including birds, fish, and her beloved cat Misu. Today, María shares her home with Axel Star, a charismatic and loving Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Fun fact: Axel is also an award-winning show dog in Louisiana! Maria joined the practice in March 2024 and combines her management expertise with her passion for animal care to create a welcoming environment for pets and their families. 

Nicholas Salas, CSR Supervisor

Nicholas was born, raised, and currently lives in the Bronx, New York. Growing up, he had a cat named Blackie and fostered several other cats before they found their forever homes, which helped shape his early love for animals and caring for pets in need. Before entering the veterinary field, Nicholas worked in a private ophthalmology practice in Manhattan as an Ophthalmic Technician, Surgical Coordinator, and tech liaison, where he developed a strong foundation in patient care and team coordination. His training in veterinary medicine has been hands-on through his work with Bronx Veterinary Center, where he continues to expand his skills and support daily operations. Nicholas enjoys interacting with clients and their pets, providing education and guidance, and finds fulfillment in helping families feel supported during their visits. He is especially passionate about improving workflows and creating systems that help the team work more efficiently. Outside of work, he enjoys gaming, watching movies, and building programs to automate everyday tasks, and at home he has one cat, Chanel No. 5, and three turtles.

Daniel Silfa, CSR

Daniel was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and moved to New York at the age of nine, where he has lived ever since. Growing up, he had a dog and once dreamed of becoming a baseball player. Prior to joining the veterinary field, Daniel worked as a lifeguard and now serves as a receptionist, where he enjoys learning every aspect of veterinary medicine. He finds fulfillment in gaining new skills and expanding his knowledge within the field. At home, Daniel has a turtle and is a dog person at heart, even though he doesn’t currently have one. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and attending church.

Rachel Morris, Head Assistant

Eastchester Road

Hi, my name is Rachel , I’m 25 years old and I’m a Veterinary assistant at BVC,  I’ve  been working here for almost 2 years. My favorite part of this job is working with the animal’s and learning new things everyday. I love when I get home , I get to tell my friends and family the amazing stories that I have that day , they enjoy them as much as I do.I have two cats of my own , one is a 10 year old named cupcake who I found in my building that someone abandoned and a 2 year old named Riley who I love very much and the reason why I’m in the animal field.

My dream is to become a licensed vet tech. I love coming into work everyday and knowing that I can make a small difference in a pet’s life , even if it’s just a few kisses and cuddles.

Hector, Assistant

Webster Avenue

Hector was born and bred right here in the Bronx. Before joining the Bronx Vet Center team, he honed his artistic talents over 17 years as a professional tattoo artist. But when the opportunity arose to expand his skills and start saving animal lives, Hector jumped at the chance. He takes immense pride in learning new veterinary skills like taking X-rays, drawing blood, and preparing medications alongside the clinic’s top-notch staff. Hector feels he’s found his true calling, being able to use his steady hands and eye for detail to help furry patients. At home, he and his loving girlfriend dote on their two pups, Barky and Ruff, who bring Hector so much joy. With a busy clinic schedule, he winds down by cooking up feasts to share with family, blasting his favorite heavy metal tunes, and, of course, inking bold new tats.

Kristen Dookie, Veterinary Assistant 

Bio coming soon.

Yoscaris Rodriguez, Remote Receptionist

Yoscaris was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the Bronx. She grew up with dogs, and now she and her husband and daughter share their home with two pups. She likes to help clients at BVC, and in her free time, she enjoys crafts and interior design.

Angel Robles, Veterinary Technician

Webster Avenue

My name is Dr. Angel but without wings. I’m so passionate about animals. Born in the City of the Incas (Lima – Peru) surrounded by not only Marine Mammals such as sea turtles , dolphins and whales but also terrestrial animals such as dogs , cats , birds, horses, cows , monkeys, llama etc.  Graduated as a Dr. from the oldest University in America, the University National Mayor the San Marcos. UNMSM and continue further education from the University of La Plata Argentina . Coming to the Big Apple I have known many caretaker Veterinarians from different parts of the world with different backgrounds that I continue to raise my knowledge and skills in this animal world. Finally, working in the Bronx Veterinary Center, a family oriented business allows me to become an Angel to my pets.

Sydney Katz, Assistant Manager/Vet Tech

Hi, I’m Sydney Katz. Dr. Katz and Nicole Katz raised me in the Concourse Animal hospital. One of my fondest memories from being little was watching how they would develop x-rays in the dark room like old photographs. Since then I have almost exclusively worked at animal hospitals since the age of 13. I went to college, have a degree in psychology and I have tried other avenues for occupations but I feel myself drawn back to animals. I am currently managing the Eastchester Road location and plan on becoming a licenced Veterinary Technician. I love my team and working at the Bronx Veterinary Center.

Anthony Stokes, Veterinary Technician

Webster Avenue

A lifelong animal lover, Anthony always felt a special connection to our furry and feathered friends. As a child growing up in the Bronx, he dreamed of becoming a whale or dolphin trainer. Now, as a Veterinary Technician at Bronx Veterinary Center, Anthony gets to live his childhood dream by caring for pets every day. Anthony brings experience from his Veterinary Assistant Certification and work at veterinary clinics in New York and Florida to his role at Bronx Veterinary Center. While he has owned dogs, birds, and turtles as pets, Anthony is passionate about helping animals of all kinds.

Outside of work, you can find Anthony cooking up a storm in the kitchen, challenging friends to video games, or having a little cheat day for chocolate or pizza. It’s the little indulgences in life that make it worth living! Above all else, Anthony is proud to serve the community he grew up in by providing exceptional veterinary care to the animals of the Bronx.

Ashley White, Admin Assistant

Ashley was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, and grew up with her family dog, Poochie. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a teacher and leader, driven by her love for helping others and meeting people’s needs. Before joining the veterinary field, Ashley worked as a Home Health Aide and later completed euthanasia training through a course provided by Bronx Veterinary Center. She enjoys the problem-solving that comes with each case and finds fulfillment in supporting both pets and their families. Ashley values the blend of compassion, teamwork, and continuous learning that veterinary medicine offers each day. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband and three children, cooking new recipes and desserts for family and friends, and unwinding with reality shows and true crime documentaries.

Nicole Picart-Tobias, Medical Scribe

Nicole Picart-Tobias was born in Manila, Philippines, and grew up surrounded by a wide variety of pets, including a rabbit named Waffle, fish, a chicken, and her longtime companion, a Shih Tzu named Buboy. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, but her path shifted in college due to health reasons, leading her to pursue physical therapy instead. Prior to joining the veterinary field, Nicole worked in an insurance company and in medical notes transcription services. What she enjoys most about veterinary medicine is the patients themselves—especially getting to see their photos. At home, she has two Yorkie-Chihuahua mixes and one calico cat. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys gaming, painting, journaling, traveling, and taking walks with her dogs.

Alisha Frias, Room Assistant

Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Alisha grew up with dogs and developed a special place in her heart for animals from an early age. Interestingly, her original childhood dream was to work in law enforcement and become a homicide detective. Her career path took an unexpected turn when Bronx Veterinary Center gave her the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop her skills in the veterinary field. Working closely with animals and seeing the positive impact the team makes every day inspired her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine while continuing her education.

Alisha is currently gaining valuable hands-on experience as a Veterinary Assistant at Bronx Veterinary Center while furthering her education. Working alongside experienced veterinarians and veterinary technicians has allowed her to expand her knowledge, strengthen her clinical skills, and build confidence in veterinary medicine. Before joining Bronx Veterinary Center, she worked as a Patient Specialist at iSmile Orthodontics, where she gained valuable experience in patient care, customer service, communication, and administrative support.

What she enjoys most about veterinary medicine is helping animals feel better, assisting with procedures, learning something new each day, and building meaningful relationships with pets and their owners. At home, she has a Maltese and a Dalmatian and proudly considers herself both a dog and reptile person.

Outside of work, Alisha is a proud mom to her 3-year-old daughter, who keeps her smiling and motivates her to work hard and continue reaching for her goals. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, attending concerts, shopping, staying active, and working toward her educational and career goals. Her guilty pleasures include coffee, online shopping, and binge-watching true crime documentaries.

Yelmarie Rodriguez, Remote CSR Supervisor

Born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Yelmarie grew up near the beach surrounded by animals, including horses. Her childhood dream of becoming a marine biologist eventually evolved into a lifelong passion for veterinary medicine.

Yelmarie has worked in the veterinary field since 2010, with more than 16 years of experience in veterinary hospitals, emergency and critical care, specialty medicine, rescue, and triage across Florida, Virginia, and North Carolina. She began her career as a receptionist and advanced through kennel technician and veterinary assistant roles before specializing in ICU and triage nursing. Her experience includes working at Cove Center of Veterinary Expertise in Virginia and Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital in North Carolina, along with veterinary education at Valencia Community College and Westside Technical College.

What Yelmarie loves most about veterinary medicine is being an animal’s voice and advocating for patients who cannot speak for themselves. Emergency and critical care is her greatest passion, allowing her to support both patients and their families during some of their most challenging moments.

Outside of veterinary medicine, Yelmarie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and is an ordained minister. She enjoys serving her community, including visiting women in jail to provide encouragement and support.

At home, she has a fluffy orange Siberian cat and a very vocal Miniature Pinscher/Chihuahua mix. Whether caring for animals or supporting people, her passion is simply being there for others when they need it most.

Nina Torres, Director of Operations

Nina began her career in veterinary medicine in 1997 as a receptionist, where her natural leadership skills and passion for the business side of veterinary medicine quickly led her into practice management. Over the years, she has built extensive experience in veterinary operations, team development, client service, practice growth, and community-based medicine.

In 2024, Nina joined Bronx Veterinary Center, where she continued her progression into operational leadership and now serves as Director of Operations.

With nearly three decades of experience in the veterinary profession, Nina brings a unique understanding of alternative, integrative, and conventional medicine. She is particularly passionate about the business of veterinary medicine and building strong, accessible, community-based practices that provide excellent patient care while supporting the teams who deliver it.

Nina is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Administration and is working toward earning her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) credential. Her combination of hands-on veterinary experience, operational knowledge, and business education allows her to approach practice management from both a clinical-service and business perspective.