Affordable Pet Hospital Staff

Veterinarian

Dr. Debra Deem Morris, DVM, DACVIM


Dr. Morris attended Purdue University from 1972 through 1974 and was admitted to veterinary school after just two years. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1978. Dr. Morris graduated first in her class and was awarded the Upjohn Award in Clinical Proficiency for both large and small animals.

After veterinary school, Dr. Morris completed an internship at Purdue University and a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She passed the exam and became certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1983. Since then, Dr. Morris served on faculties of veterinary schools at the University of Pennsylvania, University of Georgia, and University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, where she taught veterinary students in the clinical setting and conducted research. She is the author of over 200 scientific publications and book chapters. After leaving academia, Dr. Morris served as a staff internist at two different locations.

Dr. Morris loves veterinary medicine because “It provides me with the opportunity to continually learn new things, exercise my mind, fulfill a need in society, act independently and interact with people on a level with which I have great proficiency.”

Dr. Morris is a member of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Her professional interests include all aspects of internal medicine and ultrasound.

At home, Dr. Morris has 2 cats, Melanie and Tiffany. Her favorite pet is an American Quarter Horse named Hunter and she spends most of her time outside of the hospital horseback riding and caring for Hunter. Dr. Morris also enjoys movies, plays, and museums, especially contemporary American art. She has three children all the same age, 31-year-old triplets. Her two daughters are nurses and her son is in medical school.

Johanna


Practice Manager

Johanna got into veterinary medicine because of her love for animals and she aspires to be a strong and efficient Practice Manager. She has three dogs named Logan, Duke, and Blossom, a tortoise named Squirt, a bearded dragon named Drago, and a crested gecko named Crickey. Fun fact about Johanna – she loves plants and anything plant related!

Yaminah


Veterinary Technician

Yaminah is currently a veterinary technician student at St. Petersburg College. She has been married for 19 years and has 2 beautiful teenage girls. One of her goals in life is to always strive to do good, put her best foot forward, and to be a blessing in any way that she can.

Anna


Veterinary Technician

Anna recently moved from Ohio with her dog Little Dude. She enjoys taking Little Dude out and volunteering at animal shelters. She has a profound love for cats with Leukemia. Her career plans are to become a certified technician and learn everyday.

Heather


Lead Veterinary Technician

Heather has always been interested in veterinary medicine from a young age. Caring for her childhood cat after it got bitten spurred her into her love for caring for animals. Heather loves working in the animal field and is planning to run a wildlife rehab one day. Heather has a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science and is currently working on getting her CVT. One of Heather’s favorite animals she has gotten to work with is porcupines!

Reese


Room Technician

Reese was interested in veterinary medicine from a young age. She started riding horses when she was five years old and originally wanted to be a horse trainer, but later found her interest was in medicine. She is currently enrolled at the University of South Florida as a biology major. Her goal is to be a mixed animal vet, working with small animals and specializing in horses. Reese has one horse and she is a 22 year old retired dressage mare named Kudos. She also owns a crested gecko named Henry who she has owned for over 12 years.

Christina


Room Technician

Christina got into veterinary medicine because she has a strong love for animals and finds vet med fascinating. She is currently a full time college student at HCC on the vet med track, getting ready to transfer to USF for her Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology. Christina hopes to one day attend UF College of Veterinary Medicine to become a licensed veterinarian. Her biggest achievements were moving from Pennsylvania to Florida, buying her first house, and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Christina has 8 pets – 2 cats named Timmy and Tommy, 2 ferrets named Haku and Casper, 2 aquatic turtles named Sakura and Mr. Turtle, and 2 beta fish named Kaori and Sokka. An interesting fact about Christina is that she is a quadruplet!

Makeda


Veterinary Assistant

Makeda has loved animals for as long as she can remember. She originally wanted to go into the zoology field but realized she preferred companion animals. Her biggest goal in life is to be a good role model and leader to her two youngest brothers and guide them in the right direction. She has two dogs named Max and Bluey. One fun fact about Makeda is that throughout high school she played the saxophone and still plays it from time to time.

Gabby


Veterinary Assistant

Gabby is a Florida girl, born and raised. She graduated from Tampa Bay Technical Highschool as an honors Grad and CVA. Gabby has had a love for animals from a young age and it has been her dream to work in this field for a long time. She is now living that dream as she continues to pursue her future by becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician. Gabby has one feisty Chi-Chi at home named Penny that keeps her busy. In her spare time Gabby loves to sing and has started to learn how to crochet.

Reese


Client Care Coordinator

Reese recently moved from North Carolina with her two cats, Henry and AJ. She loves to spend her free time playing with her cats and reading. Reese has always had a love for animals ever since she was a kid. She grew up with every animal from ducks to hamsters. She is currently a psychology student attending Saint Leo University.

Erika


Client Care Coordinator

Erika is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduate and has had over 9 years of customer service experience. She has 2 dogs, 9 cats, 2 guinea pigs, 10 African love birds, and 2 bantam chickens. In her free time, she loves to play and spend time with her three kids.

Rizza


Client Care Coordinator

Rizza is a graduate of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has loved animals ever since her pet came to her, and began caring for other pets besides her own. She has 2 pets named Pocholo and Slick. In her free time, Rizza loves to go to the beach with her pets!

Noah


Veterinary Technician

Noah is a Veterinary Technician that has been in the field for 2 years, and is working towards obtaining his CVT license. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, but quickly realized his passion was in animal medicine. In his spare time Noah enjoys long distance running, MMA training, and hanging out with his pets. Noah has 4 cats: Loki,Rachel,Scout and Bronny. He also has a Mexican red kneed tarantula named Korra.

Thomas Waitkevich


DVM

Hello, my name is Dr. Waitkevich! I’ve always had a love for being around animals and medicine is one of the most interesting fields, so veterinary medicine is truly my calling. My goal as a veterinarian is to provide the most compassionate care I can and make veterinary medicine fun. Recently, I presented a case study at the ASVCP Conference that I am currently working on getting published. I have a love for Clinical Pathology, so bloodwork and cytologies are two of my favorite diagnostics to perform and discuss with owners! I am looking to become acupuncture certified soon. I currently do not own any pets, but I am looking to open my heart and home to an adoptee soon. One interesting fact about me is that I currently write veterinary haikus and post them on an account on Instagram. I am looking forward to meeting all of you!