Pulse - April 2023 - 8

SCVMA PROFILE
JIM BELL
JIM BELL
Lessons Learned as Youth Helped
Dr. Vasquez Win Prestigious Award
D
r. Ronaldo (Joey) Vasquez, winner of the 2023
Cortese Lippincott Award, got lessons from his
parents at an early age that would help him meet
requirements for the honor.
" My parents taught me that I should give back, that we need to share, " he
said in an interview. " Even if you don't have a lot, it means a lot to people if
you share. From a young age, my parents told me that: to share, to help out.
I remember my dad telling me, 'Joey, if you see anyone hungry at school and
they don't have lunch, you share your lunch or buy them lunch,' " he added.
" We didn't have a laundry machine in the house so my father and I
would go to a local laundromat. And we would always see these two elderly
ladies and they never had enough coins or detergent to finish their
laundry. My dad always would give them quarters or share our detergent. "
The Cortese Lippincott Award is presented annually to someone who
has gone " above and beyond " to make the world a better place for humans
and animals, who excels in community service and education in
the veterinary community and who supports the human-animal bond.
" It's an honor to be in the same league with other winners like Jennifer
Hawkins and Peter Weinstein, " Dr. Vasquez said. " We got a phone call
at the practice and my staff learned that I was going to get the award and
they were yelling and shouting. It was one of those moments where you
have to pinch yourself. Was it really happening? So I'm on cloud nine. I
am just so honored to receive this award. I still think it's unreal.
" Veterinarians are in a unique position. Not only are they able to help
pets but they also are able to positively impact humans as well. I love
volunteering, giving back because it makes you feel good. "
Dr. Vasquez' father was the late Dr. Rolando P. Vasquez, who
founded North Figueroa Animal Hospital in Highland Park in 1981.
His son grew up in the practice and took over as owner eight years ago
when his father died.
The younger Dr. Vasquez was born in the Philippines. Shortly after
his birth, his father, a practicing veterinarian, and his mother, Lucy, a
veterinary technician, left him with his grandparents and immigrated to
the United States.
Neither of his parents could step quickly into veterinary work in
America because of licensing requirements. " They worked at various
odd jobs, " Dr. Vasquez said, his mother joining the Army and working
as a respiratory therapist. They sent money to the Philippines, however,
to support family members. When Joey was four in 1976, there was
enough money for him and his grandparents to come to California.
Young Joey had no memory of his mother and father. " When I saw
them for the first time, I didn't know they were my parents, " he said. " I
was crying. I wanted to go back home. " He also met his first sibling that
day, a baby girl named Patricia.
" When we opened the practice, I worked there from Day One, " Dr.
Vasquez recalled. " I cleaned cages, helped out with surgeries, did a lot of
bathing and grooming. I did everything. I swept the parking lots, walked
the dogs - I was pretty much born there. " He agrees that was part of a
pretty good education for his current job of running the practice.
8
Ronaldo Vasquez, DVM, with family
(left) and in the practice (above)
One problem: His dad didn't want him to become a veterinarian. " Be
like your uncle [a dentist], " he told Joey. " He works three hours a day and
plays tennis the rest of the time. He makes lots of money. Veterinarians
work 15 hours a day and it's a tough job. "
After high school, Joey went to USC. " When I finished my undergrad,
I really wanted to be a veterinarian. So I secretly applied to vet school. I
also applied to dental school. Then I told my dad that I needed to follow
my dreams and passion. And I have no regrets. This field has brought me
so much happiness and it is so rewarding. "
Joey attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine at St.
Kitts in the Caribbean, although he spent his last clinical year at the
Kansas State University veterinary school.
And, yes, he now has some very long work days. But he loves every
minute of it. For 10 years after he got his veterinary license in 2001, he
worked full time at his father's practice, then worked nights at an emergency
hospital to widen his experience.
Despite some long hours, " Working is just so enjoyable, " he said. " Putting
a smile on the faces of clients is very rewarding. Sometimes all they have is
their pets. And they can be so appreciative for what you have done for them. "
Dr. Vasquez said that his greatest accomplishment in life has been
marrying his wife, Jennifer, and becoming the father of his 15-year-old
son, Tyler, and 9-year-old daughter, Kaylie. He said that he is working
with his children the way his parents worked with him: encouraging
them to give back and to volunteer.
" Sometimes my son goes with me to Downtown Dog Rescue and he
will help out there. At Thanksgiving the whole family goes to help feed
the homeless. I try to lead by example. I try to make a difference. "
Jennifer, who has an accounting background, works as office manager
in the North Figueroa Hospital. She has worked there since her husband
returned to the practice with his DVM degree. " I couldn't do all I
do without her, " Dr. Vasquez said.
Patricia, the older of his two sisters, is a school teacher and younger
sister Evalynn is a doctor at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
Dr. Vasquez has always maintained a busy schedule outside his practice:
He works closely with animal rescue groups and Los Angeles City
shelters. He volunteers with Downtown Dog Rescue and the Amanda
Foundation and other charitable groups. He loves to speak at local schools
about his profession. He also has traveled extensively abroad to train veterinarians
or participate in medical programs around the globe. P
APRIL 2023
PULSE
Pulse - April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pulse - April 2023
