Dr. Bonnie Lefbom
DVM, DACVIM

Bonnie K. Lefbom, D.V.M. received her bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland in College Park. She received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech and was a primary care veterinarian for three years. She then completed a small animal medical and surgical internship at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She completed her residency with Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates and then she achieved diplomate status in veterinary cardiology.

Dr. Lefbom offers surgical repair of the congenital defect Patent Ductus Arteriosus for the practice. On average she repairs 11-13 PDAs per year with outstanding success. Also, Dr. Lefbom's private practice experience keeps her centered in the practical approach to the medical side of veterinary cardiology. She is well aware of the emotional and financial considerations involved in treating her patients, and works closely with owners to achieve the optimal treatment in every situation.

Dr. Lefbom is active in the veterinary community both locally, as past president of the Northern Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, and nationally with the ACVIM College of Cardiology. She has a special interest in breed-specific cardiac disease, has several articles published in refereed veterinary journals, and lectures regularly on cardiac-related disease.

Dr. Jennifer Sidley
DVM, DACVIM

Dr. Sidley received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota. She then completed both her internship and residency training at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. While at the university level, Dr. Sidley participated in various research projects, teaching duties, and techniques for clinical practice. She also has published an article in the JAVMA. Dr. Sidley has achieved board certification from the ACVIM College of Cardiology. Dr. Sidley's clinical practice focuses on client education and state-of-the-art treatment plans.

Dr. Gina Pasieka
DVM, Chief Resident in Cardiology

Dr. Pasieka joined CVCA as a resident in July of 2006. She received her veterinary degree from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship with Ordell Animal Hospital in New Jersey. Prior to joining CVCA, she worked as a primary care veterinarian in her home state of New York.

Dr. Neal Peckens
DVM, Resident in Cardiology

Dr. Peckens joined CVCA as a resident in June of 2008. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from St. Mary's College of Maryland and subsequently earned his veterinary degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional college of Veterinary Medicine. He completed a rotating emergency internship with a local referral hospital. Prior to joining CVCA, he was employed by the Animal Emergency and Critical Care Associates at The LifeCentre of Leesburg, Virginia as an emergency clinician.

Technical Staff

CVCA's patient care team includes a skilled staff of licensed veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants. The technicians at CVCA have accumulated years of experience in private practice as well as other specialties. While our technicians routinely perform nursing duties and procedures, we also recognize the anxiety that can accompany a visit to the hospital. A primary function of the technical staff is to ensure the comfort of patients and owners alike during their visit. Our nursing staff works together with the cardiologists to provide experienced and compassionate care for patients both in the hospital and during scheduled appointments. Our objective is to make the client and patient at ease and as comfortable as possible with their visit, and to treat each and every pet as though they were our own. Technicians are also available by phone during business hours to answer questions and respond to client requests and concerns.