BluePearl Pet Hospital
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Our Vets

In addition to emergency medicine, Dr. Merna Abdo is interested in animal dentistry. She is certified in Fear Free handling.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Sandy Springs, GA
• Clinical Rotation, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies
• Bachelor of Arts, Biology, Broward College, Davie, FL

Dr. Abdo enjoys trying new restaurants, exploring the city, strolling on trails and spending time with her Goldendoodle named Oslo.

Dr. Astrid Beniquez’s clinical interests include:

• Minimally invasive approaches to surgery
• Wound and tissue reconstructive procedures
• Trauma
• Oncology case
• Anatomic and clinical pathology
• Providing high-quality patient care

• Internship, Small Animal Surgery, VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital, FL
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, VCA Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergencies, Chattanooga, TN
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN
• Master of Science, Veterinary Forensic Science, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, Microbiology & Cell Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville

In her free time, Dr. Beniquez enjoys reading new books, trying new foods, playing guitar and sketching. She has four well-fed cats and fluently speaks English and Spanish.

Dr. Kim Boyanowski has served as the past president of the Peninsula Veterinary Medical Association, Research Foundation Chairperson of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology and as a guest speaker throughout the United States.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Dermatology
• Residency, Dermatology, University of California, Davis
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Animal Medical Center, New York City
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA
• Bachelor of Science, Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Dr. Boyanowski is active in various non-profit organizations and her son’s school. She has two West Highland White Terriers, enjoys traveling and spending time with family.

Dr. Erica Castaneda’s clinical interests include cardiology, kidney disease and integrative treatment options for pain management and rehabilitation.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando

In her free time, Dr. Castaneda enjoys reading, yoga, Pilates and exploring new places to eat with her husband and two dogs, Snoopy and Frankie.

Dr. Kevin Frame is passionate about surgery. He is especially interested in orthopedics, including arthroscopy, cranial cruciate ligament disease, developmental conditions/angular limb deformities, and fracture repair. He also enjoys reconstructive surgery, surgical oncology and neurology.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Small Animal)
• Residency, Small Animal Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Levittown, PA
• Internship, Small Animal Surgery, VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital, FL
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
• Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
• Bachelor of Science, Chemistry & Anthropology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

Dr. Frame’s interests outside of work include travel, backpacking, snowboarding, live music, basketball and rugby. He has a ginger cat named Brooklyn and a dog named Juno.

Publications & Articles

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

Dr. Kim Golden developed a passion for animals at a young age and knew early on that she wanted to become a veterinarian. She is fascinated with the intricate systems of the animal body and welcomes the challenge of diagnosing and treating internal conditions. Her clinical interests include feline medicine, gastroenterology and immune-mediated diseases.

Dr. Golden is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to her patients and their families, thoroughly explaining diagnoses and treatment options while also offering guidance on long-term care. She strongly believes that veterinarians play a crucial role in strengthening the human-animal bond, ensuring that pets lead healthier, happier lives while supporting their owners through every step of the journey. Senior pets, cats and pit bulls have a special place in her heart.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
• Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Southfield, MI
• Internship, Small Animal Internal Medicine, Memphis Veterinary Specialists, Cordova, TN
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, VCA Bay Area Veterinary Specialists, San Leandro, CA
• Clinical Rotation, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Golden enjoys traveling, weightlifting, paddleboarding and spending time outdoors. She shares her home with two beloved cats, Fireball and Goose, who make sure Dr. Golden’s life is never dull.

Dr. Jennifer Liscinsky is an experienced emergency clinician dedicated to helping pets and their owners. Her interests include trauma, endocrine diseases, and immune mediated diseases. She also has training and experience in wildlife, exotic, and zoo animal medicine.

• Clinical Rotation, University College Dublin, Ireland
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies
• Bachelor of Science, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Dr. Liscinsky enjoys traveling and exploring new countries, hiking, tennis, paddleboarding, and scuba diving. She likes to spend time at the beach and volunteer with sea turtle rescue programs. She also enjoys spending time at home with her 4 cats and dog, Crash.

Dr. Carolina Medina has dedicated her career to improving mobility and quality of life for her patients by alleviating pain. Her work spans clinical practice, teaching at veterinary schools and presenting at national and international conferences.

Dr. Medina is Fear Free certified and integrates acupuncture with rehabilitation therapy to provide personalized care plans. Her special interests include pain management, osteoarthritis and senior pet care.

• Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner, International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management
• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation
• Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, Canine Rehabilitation Institute, Wellington, FL
• Certified Veterinary Tui-na Practitioner, Chi University, Reddick, FL
• Certified Veterinary Chinese Herbalist, Chi University, Reddick, FL
• Internship, Veterinary Acupuncture, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Chi University, Reddick, FL
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton

In her free time, Dr. Medina enjoys visiting the ocean, traveling, eating, being active and spending time with her friends and family. She shares her life with Kalypso, a senior pit bull, and Kai, a black cat.

Dr. Lynel Tocci’s interests include veterinary hematology & transfusion medicine, fluid resuscitation and intraoperative cell salvage, as well as management of polytrauma.

• Master of Science, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care
• Residency, Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care, Angell Animal Medical Center, Boston, MA
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Angell Animal Medical Center, Boston, MA
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA
• Bachelor of Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Dr. Sagen Woolery is the medical director of our Fort Lauderdale hospital. Her compassion for clients and their pets, diagnostic ability and surgical knowledge make her a well-rounded doctor.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State College, Starkville
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Mississippi University for Women, Columbus

Dr. Woolery enjoys traveling, playing tennis, hiking, volunteering with international veterinary outreach programs and spending time with friends and family. She has two rescue Pomeranians named One-Eyed Winnie and Snaggle-Poof.