Our caring and compassionate team!

Our goal at Lincoln Square Animal Hospital is pleased to provide a warm, caring, and flexible environment for pets and their owners. With an emphasis on great customer service and the latest medical, surgical, and pain management techniques, we want clients to feel that their companion animals are getting the best possible care available anywhere in Chicago!

Dr. Anna Czekala, Medical Director

Dr. Czekala was born in Poland, but she moved to NY at nine years old with her family. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology from SUNY Geneseo in New York and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois. After graduating from vet school, Dr. Czekala completed a Small Animal Rotating Internship at the Animal Medical Center in NYC. While there, she rotated through Emergency/Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Radiology, and Dermatology.

In 2010, she moved to Chicago and spent 5 years working at an emergency veterinary hospital in Buffalo Grove. She joined our practice in July 2015. Dr. Czekala is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

In her free time, Dr Czekala enjoys spending time with her husband and three kids and loves hiking, traveling and cooking.

Dr. Lauren O’Connor, Medical Director

Dr. O’Connor was born and raised in California. In 2003, she graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and, in 2009, she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois. She moved to Chicago in May 2009 and originally joined our practice in August 2010. After a hiatus back to California then Ohio, she is back with us to stay in December of 2015.

Dr. O’Connor has a Lab/Beagle mix named Lily who constantly gets into trouble. She also has two very spoiled cats, one of which is almost 20 years old. Her husband’s collection of reptiles and amphibians also share her home. Her free time is mostly spent with her two precocious young daughters. She spends her remaining free time gardening, hiking, backpacking, and camping her way toward visiting every national park in the U.S.

Dr. Samantha Wlazlo, Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Samantha Wlazlo graduated from the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015 and has been practicing in Chicago since graduation. She joined the Lincoln Square Animal Hospital team in 2021. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine with a special interest in preventive care, geriatrics, and fostering the human-animal bond. Dr. Wlazlo understands how stressful it can be for some pets to visit the vet and tries to minimize their anxiety with low stress handling techniques. Dr. Wlazlo not only enjoys cooking at home, but also loves to explore all of the amazing restaurants around the city. When not home with her sphynx Harry, she spends her free time traveling, cheering for the MSU spartans, and reading at the beach.

Dr. Courtney Vercauteren, Associate Veterinarian

Dr Vercauteren was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona where she attended Arizona State University for her undergraduate degree. Dr Vercauteren grew up with a wide variety of animals including dogs, cats, rats, bearded dragons, and fish. She knew from early on she wanted to become a veterinarian and continued to pursue her dream job. Dr Vercauteren attended Colorado State University for her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and moved to Chicago shortly after graduation in May 2018. She has been practicing in the city ever since. She has one black lab named Atlantis who is a good sport despite having a doctor for an owner. She is the newest addition to Lincoln Square Animal Hospital and can’t wait to meet your furry loved one.

Daniel, Nursing Manager

With over 25 years in veterinary medicine, Daniel brings with him a strong background in Surgery, Ophthalmology and Emergency/Critical Care; and is dedicated to client education and communication. He is also extremely caring and compassionate and has been a volunteer grief counselor for the CVMA's Pet Loss Help Line for over 13 years as well as working with various rescues.
Daniel's goal is to become certified in Veterinary Ultrasound as he continues in the field. He is excited to learn new techniques and skills - as well as teaching/sharing with others the many skills he has acquired over the past two and a half decades.
Outside of work and volunteering, Daniel spends time with his 2 "foster fails" Ripley and Bronco.

Sylvia, Practice Manager

Sylvia was born and raised in Chicago. Working in the veterinary field for over 20 years she has worked in many roles, being a kennel assistant, nurse, nurse assistant, and client services representative. Recently, Sylvia also became certified as a Phlebotomy Technician. Her favorite part of her job is working closely with clients and the bond that she creates with them and their pets. Sylvia has 3 dogs named Guinness, Reyna, and Socks, 2 bearded dragons named Phoenix and Yoshi, 5 ferrets named Charlie, Bandit, Weasel, Bella, and Fury. In her free time she loves travelling, spending time with her family, and volunteering at her church.

Freddy, CSR Manager

Hailey, Head Technician

Hailey moved to Chicago in 2015 and is working towards her Bachelor’s in nursing. She joined our team as a hospital assistant, but she has grown into a veterinary technician leadership role.

Hailey is the proud parent of three sweet-as-can-be chihuahuas, Remy, Roxy, and Rosey, and one cat, Riley.

Saffiya, Head Surgery Technician

Bio To Come

Don, Veterinary Technician

Bio To Come

Bri, Veterinary Technician

Bio To Come

Jessica, Veterinary Technician

Jessica was born and raised in the Chicago area. She is currently attending the University of Illinois at Chicago to obtain her BS in Biology. She has wanted to be in the veterinary field ever since she was a young girl. Working at our clinic has been a wonderful experience.

She enjoys playing soccer, dancing, swimming, and reading during her down time. She currently has two dogs named Evy and Max. Evy is roughly five years old, while Max is about four and a half years old. Both of her dogs love to be spoiled with belly rubs, treats, and kisses and they enjoy long walks at the park.

Yuvica, Veterinary Technician

Yuvica loves animals and is going to school to study veterinary medicine. She is passionate about animal science because you can explain, understand and help an animal in need. She previously volunteered at Felines & Canines with over 100 cats. She adopted two guinea pigs named Hailey and Kailey who love to cuddle and have adventures. During my leisure time I like to play piano, guitar and violin for my guinea pigs.

Camilo, Veterinary Technician

Katie, Vet Tech Assistant

Stephanie, Lead CSR

Nathan, CSR/Vet Tech Assistant

Nathan is our newest member of the Lincoln Square Animal Hospital family. He's currently an assistant and is making strides to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. He's compassionate, kind and a gentle giant that loves all animals large and small. He's innovative, patient and cares for your little ones as his own. Nathan has 3 beautiful cats named Jack Burton, Harley Quinn and Weebles. He also has a little Jack Russell terrier mix doggo named Blanca, who is the head of his personal security. When he's not lending a helping hand here at LSAH, he enjoys spoiling his wife & daughters. Cooking, barbecuing, restoring classic bicycles & bike riding are just a few of his hobbies.

Heather, CSR

Gina, CSR