OUR TEAM
Veterinarians
April Ulmer, DVM
Dr. April Ulmer was born in Mississippi, is a life time animal advocate and rescuer and is most proud to be mom to her daughter RubyJane and their furry family members. She is a proud Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2001 graduate – HAIL STATE!! She also loves those LSU Tigers and cheers for them as long as they are not playing her DAWGS. (She and RubyJane also cheer for anyone playing Ole Miss.)
Dr. April and her daughter are STELLAR BLACK&GOLD BLEEDING SAINTS FANS and she has always considered New Orleans also as home, growing up in and out of the city her entire life. She finally got back to settle here in 2013 after a 12 year U.S. Army Veterinary Corps career where she proudly served her country in support of our Military Working Dogs and our military families and their pets across the globe.
She worked with LASPCA for five years and joined the LCAMC family on Valentine’s Day of this year 2019. Dr. April has a special love for feline medicine and is a proud crazy cat lady. She also loves all Shepherd breeds, especially those K9 HEROES that help protect our country. Dr. April enjoys general medicine especially feline medicine and behavioral issues, dentistry, and dermatology. In their spare time, Dr. April and RubyJane love to read, cook and explore the world as well as fospice older cats who have been abandoned by their humans.
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Marisa Muniak, BVM&S
Dr. Marisa Muniak was born and raised in Northern Michigan. She moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University earning a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology in 2011. Continuing to use education as an excuse to travel, she moved to Scotland in 2012 to attend The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh.
Her fascination with animals started early in life – her first word was “Kitty!” In middle school, after nursing a sick kitten found in her backyard back to health, she started shadowing her local small town vet. In high school she attended a summer camp at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. During her undergrad she was hired as a kennel technician and worked her way up to the treatment area eventually becoming an overnight technician.
Dr. Muniak is a Halloween fanatic and spends all year perfecting her display. She spends her free time with her new husband, two dogs: Finn, an Aussie mix, and Taysom, a beagle, and very rambunctious cat, C. K. Dexterhaven.
Kevin Puzycki, DVM
Dr. Puzycki is a native of North Haven, CT and worked as a veterinary assistant for 9 years before going to veterinary school. He is a graduate of St. George's University in Grenada and did his clinical year at Louisiana State University (GEAUX Tigers!).
He decided to move to New Orleans because he's fallen in love with the city over the years, and because he loves warm weather. He shares his home with his rescue pup Mame (as in Edamame) and kitty Eli.
Outside of work Dr. Puzycki loves to run, explore the city, garden, and has a strong passion for drawing and painting. You can follow him on Instagram too! @DrKevintheVet
Nicholas Moraites, DVM, MPH
Dr. Moraites received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University in Durham, NC. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC.
He then completed an internship in internal medicine and surgery at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, and training in canine rehabilitation at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.
When not treating patients, Dr. Moraites enjoys watching sports (specifically Duke Basketball), and traveling with his family, which includes two dogs: a Golden Retriever named Lola and a Labrador Retriever named Scout.
Christal Broomhall, DVM
Dr. Broomhall has been working in Veterinary Medicine since 2010 when she graduated from LSU Veterinary School. She moved to Pennsylvania and started working in Vet Med for 7 years. She then returned back to Louisiana, her favorite place to live, to continue treating animals.
Dr. Broomhall has 2 dogs, 3 cats, and a rainbow boa constrictor.
Kenny Ransom, DVM, CCRP
Dr. Ransom attended Southeastern Louisiana University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Animal Biology. He then attended Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine where he earned his DVM.
He attended University of Tennessee at Knoxville's Rehabilitation specialty program where he earned his Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner.
He is a bird lover and enjoys his free time with his many fur children and three human children.
Leadership
Ariel – Operations Manager
Ariel Oro is a native of New Orleans and through her love of all living critters found her calling in veterinary medicine. Ariel especially enjoys working at a hospital that is dedicated to helping the community and caring for as many animals as possible.
Ariel, who is also fluent in Spanish, enjoys playing video games, watching Bob Ross, shopping for treats and going on adventures with her dogs Woobie, Gigi, and Deebo.
Her dream is to one day open a sanctuary for senior dogs and pitbulls in need.
Meredith - Technician Manager
Meredith began her career in Veterinary Medicine after serving in the Army for 10 years. She has a BA in English from Boston University and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Excelsior College.
Her veterinary background includes General Practice, Canine Physical Therapy, and small animal cardiology. Her passion is in training and empowering veterinary technicians and community education.
She is an administrator for Street Dog Coalition, a quarterly clinic for homeless people and their pets, and is dedicated to outreach which fosters the human animal bond in underprivileged communities.
Meredith has a young daughter, Iris, who keeps her busy in her free time. She loves to travel and has been to 49 states and 6 continents! Antarctica is on her ultimate bucket list. She has a Chiweenie named Judith, A Siberian Retriever named Zero, and a beautiful tortoiseshell cat named Nicks.
Pharmacy
Shane, CPhT - Pharmacy Manager & Media Coordinator
Born and raised in the New Orleans area, Shane holds a bachelor’s degree in the Science of Psychology from University of New Orleans. While in school, Shane works in our pharmacy and manages our social media accounts, website, and helps with IT related tasks.
He has been in the pharmacy field since 2016 and became a Certified Pharmacy Technician in 2017.
Shane currently owns one cat, Filbert, a Siamese breed. He thought he preferred cats over dogs because they require less attention however, Filbert has since proved his theory wrong because he is very needy.
Shane and his sister Christen, a vet tech, both work at our clinic. Shane previously worked in the human pharmacy setting and did not plan on moving to the veterinary field, however, has no regrets and loves it here at Low Cost Animal Medical Center.
Veterinary Technicians & Assistants
Christen - Veterinary Assistant & Dental Team
Christen has been in the veterinary medicine field since 2011. As a child she always loved all animals and dreamed of growing up to be a veterinarian. Her favorite thing about working in this field is constantly learning new things and perfecting her technician skills. She resides in New Orleans with her son and their dog Brixx. They also have a blue-tongued skink named Chloe and a Pink-toed Tarantula named Davey.
Chelsea - Veterinary Technician
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Brandon - Veterinary Assistant & Surgery Team
Brandon was born and raised in Metairie. He has just started his journey in veterinary medicine in May of 2021 here at Low Cost Animal Medical Center. He grew up as a dog person and since has made the jump into the world of felines and has adopted 3 cats.
Ahsoka, Sagira, and Karma have the best cat dad in the world!!
Tajana - Veterinary Technician
Tajana has been in the Vet Field for about 2 years. She was born and raised in Marrero and she recently graduated from Delgado Community College. She holds an A.A.S in Veterinary Technology. As of right now she has no pets, YET, but loves all the fur babies that come into the clinic as her own.
Abby - Veterinary Assistant
Abby has been in the veterinary field for almost 2 years. Born in New Orleans but raised in the bayou, she enjoys drinking a beer on Sundays and wrestling gators on a Monday.
Da'Jonna - Surgery Manager & Vet Assistant
Da'Jonna was born and raised in New Orleans. She has always had the greatest compassion when it comes to caring for animals of all types. Currently, she is in school for Criminal Justice and working with us here at Low Cost Animal Medical Center. She has 2 dogs named Peanut and Ace.
Kiara - Vet Assistant & Dental Team
Kiara has been in the field of veterinary medicine for 10 years. Raised in New Orleans she developed a passion for helping and caring for animals at a young age and brings that passion to Low Cost Animal Medical Center everyday!
She studied Biology at UNO and is currently pursuing her Registered Vet Tech diploma through the Penn Foster program.
She is a loving and caring mother to two children and fur mother to her American Akita named Remy Lebeau and American Staffie named Citrine. She is a caring and hardworking individual here at Low Cost and we truly value all that she does!
Rashif - Veterinary Assistant & Surgery Team
What's up!? My name's Rashif, I was born and raised in New Orleans with 3 dogs of my own and cant wait to get more!
Maria - Veterinary Assistant & Receptionist
Maria is recently new to the veterinary field. She was raised in New Orleans.
She has 1 fur baby named Suzi.
Maria's favorite hobby is shopping and drinking boba.
She has love and the greatest compassion for all of her fur babies both at home and at the clinic.
Rashell - Veterinary Assistant
Rashell was raised in New Orleans. She worked as a emergency room tech at Ochsner before moving to the vet med world. Rashell found her love for fur babies when she took in her dog, Milo, a doberman mix. She started here at Low Cost Animal Medical Center in 2022 working as a veterinary assistant. Rashell is a quick learner and will take on any challenging task.
Marian - Veterinary Assistant & Surgery Team
This is Marian's first veterinarian clinic she has worked at. She has been here training and learning a lot. She was born and raised on the westbank. Its been a crazy experience for her transitioning into the vet world, but also very valuable. She says, "being in New Orleans you run into a lot of different things and this experience is one in a million".
Client Care Specialists
Jamie - Receptionist & Vet Assistant
Jamie has been in the veterinary field for 20 years. She has 4 pets: Odie, Lance Moore, Harker the general, and Toejam. Jamie was born and raised in Kenner and spends the majority of her time working, hanging out with her family and fur babies, and rocking out to 80's music. Her passion and love for animals makes her love her job every minute of the day. Jamie loves making people laugh but also is quick to give a helping hand. When asked if there is any other place she would rather be, she says "absolutely not".
Joheidi - Receptionist Supervisor
Joheidi is one of our customer care representatives. She is new to the veterinary field and started in 2020 but so far she has enjoyed every moment of it. She was born in North Carolina and raised in New Orleans. She currently is studying to become a Registered Nurse at Delgado. She has 3 pets: Charleigh, Scooby, a Great Dane, and Ava who is a mixed breed. Joheidi loves reading and drawing in her spare time and gets her nails done three times a week.
Syleena - Receptionist
Syleena was born and raised in Marrero. She's basically got a zoo at home which consists of 5 cats and a pug. She loves listening to music, drinking coffee, and also going shopping.
She loves working at Low Cost Animal Medical Center because she gets to see all the different types of fur babies that come and go from the clinic.
She started here in the veterinary field in 2022 and plans on widening her knowledge and is excited to see what the future may hold for her here.
Rickell - Receptionist
Rickelle has been working in the Veterinary field for 5 years. She was born and raised on the westbank in Marrero. Since she was 7 she developed a love for animals. She realized she had the greatest compassion and found herself caring for animals. Although she does not have pets of her own, yet, she is a nanny for 4 dogs!
Our Board
Copey Pulitzer - Chairman & Founder
Amanda Rizzo - President
M. Cleland Powell, III
Laura Freeman, DVM
Alan H. Philipson
Brian Gibbs
Anne Redd
Lisa Hoeffer
Ashley Keller Nelson