Veterinarians
Dr. Iqbal
Dr. Iqbal has always been passionate about helping animals and was inspired by many family members that also practice veterinary medicine. He graduated from UVAS PK in 2008 and then continued his studies at The Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He began working at Oak Elm Animal Hospital in 2010 and he is now the lead veterinarian. Dr. Iqbal is well-versed and knowledgeable about all aspects of small animal medicine but he particularly enjoys working on internal medicine cases and surgeries. He gets the most enjoyment from seeing the joy and smiles on the owners face when they are reunited with their healthy pets. When he’s not working, the doctor enjoys spending time with his family. He also enjoys hiking, cycling and golfing in his free time.
Dr. Marsha
Dr. Marsha is the newest addition to Oak Elm. She has worked to provide care for animals her whole life. She started as a volunteer at a veterinary hospital when she was 15 and then later on graduated from University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching School. Since then, she has experienced many different aspects of veterinary medicine including humane organizations, zoo and marine medicine, and organizational medicine as a secretary and board member. She has practiced at several hospitals where she gained experience in general medicine, specialty practice, emergency medicine, advanced training programs and local animal care and control. She is a current member of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, serves as member of the Animal Welfare Committee, Volunteers for the CVMA pet loss helpline and even has received her fear free certification. When she’s not working she enjoys spending time at home with all her cats and dogs.
Dr. Hassan
Dr. Hassan always loved being surrounded by animals, and he turned his love into his
lifelong passion. He graduated from vet school in 2011 and, after completing his
masters, moved to the USA. He got his license to practice in 2017 and joined the Oak
Elm Animal Hospital team. He loves all aspects of patient care but is keenly interested
in soft tissue surgeries, ultrasound, and dentistry. He also loves educating pet parents
about different aspects of the health of their furry babies. When not busy with his kids
and cats, Dr. Hassan loves to enjoy a long hike and hit the trails on his bike.
Dr. Basran
Dr. Basran attended Haryana Agricultural University in 1967 in India. He established Logan Square Animal Hospital in the year 1983 and then later on established Oak Elm Animal Hospital in 2009. Dr. Basran is well experienced in all aspects of small animal medicine but he especially enjoys working on internal medicine cases and small animal surgeries.
Dr. Kotev
Dr. Kotev graduated from Thracian University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. He came to the U.S. in March of 2000 to take a position as a research associate in the Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery at The Ohio State University. He spent one year there working on research projects involving coronary artery bypass surgery in dogs.
Dr. Kotev’s professional interests include internal medicine, abdominal and thoracic surgery, orthopedic surgery, abdominal and cardiac ultrasound, flexible endoscopy. Dr. Kotev is on call at Oak Elm Animal Hospital to perform all orthopedic surgeries.
Dr. House
Dr. House graduated from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1976. In 1978 he began practicing in the northwest suburban Chicago area. Dr. House founded the Hoffman Estates Animal Hospital in 1985 and by 1989, the first time it was eligible, the hospital became an accredited member of the prestigious American Animal Hospital Association of which only 15% of all animal hospitals are members. In 1989, Dr. House became board certified and a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP). Veterinary medicine in the United States is divided between general practitioners and those that have become “board certified”. The board-certified veterinarians are the only ones that are allowed to use the word “specialist” in their advertising. The advanced training, continuing education commitments and a difficult examination process has limited the number of clinical veterinarians with board certification to just 2% of the total number of practicing DVM’s. In 2010 Dr. House founded Mobile Veterinary Ultrasound Inc, a diagnostic imaging company that provides soft tissue and cardiac ultrasounds for other veterinarians in the Chicago area. His specialties include Oncology, cardiology, Internal medicine, diagnostic imaging, and feline care.
Dr. Khattak
Dr. Khattak graduated from the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Five-year professional program in Lahore, Pakistan. He then completed his internship at Round Lake Animal Hospital and his surgical internship at Miami Veterinary Specialists.
His passion for helping animals started from a young age when he would interact with his dad’s German Shorthaired Pointers. This allowed him to develop an interest in animal behavior and physiology which led him to pursue veterinary medicine as a career.
Licensed Technician
Bryan
Bryan graduated from University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice in 2023. He is currently working on being licensed in the U.S. as a veterinarian and he is assisting senior doctors at our clinic, specifically helping with diagnostics and treatments. In his spare time, he enjoys skydiving and riding his motorcycle.
Practice Manager
Marisa
Marisa was hired in 2021 and has since become the practice manager. She graduated from Maine West High School in 2019 and always comes to work with a smile and diet coke in hand. At home she has two dogs, a dachshund named Hercules and a chihuahua named Frijolito. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family and going to concerts. Her favorite part of working at Oak Elm are her lovely coworkers and helping animals.
Veterinary Assistants
Elizabeth
Elizabeth has been a veterinary assistant since the Summer of 2020, she enjoys working with your fur babies alongside her colleagues. Her duties at work include managing the weekend shifts and taking care of rescue accounts. In her spare time she enjoys reading and spending time with her two dogs; Crystal and Rocky. Elizabeth is very enthusiastic about keeping things in order and keeping everyone in check.
Alex
Alex began working at Oak Elm as a Veterinary Assistant in January of 2022 and has since become the front desk manager. She graduated from Maine West High School in 2021. At home she has two dogs named Mushu and Rocki as well as a bunny named Tilly. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family. Her favorite part of working at Oak Elm is seeing her coworkers and your pets.
Alberto
Alberto grew up in Des Plaines and graduated from Maine West High School in 2021. He currently serves in the National Guard. At Oak Elm he works in the treatment room doing radiographs, tests, and treatments. His favorite thing about Oak Elm is assisting the doctor in surgeries.
Nicole
Nicole began her journey at Oak Elm as an intern in high school back in 2018. After graduating from Maine West High School in 2020. During the summer of 2022, she began working at Oak Elm again but this time as a Veterinarian Assistant. Nicole is currently studying Biology at the University of Illinois Chicago and hopes to one day become a veterinarian. When she’s not at work or school she loves to spend time with her dog Nelly and her cat Jackie.
Julian
Julian graduated from J Sterling Morton West High School in 2015. He is currently attending college courses online. He is the proud owner of 2 dogs Abby and Wilson and 1 blind cat Bandit. Julian is hard working, compassionate and dedicated to helping your fur family feel better. His favorite part of working at Oak Elm is watching families reunite with their recovered pet and seeing them go home.
Ashley
Ashley has been a Veterinary Assistant at Oak Elm Animal Hospital since November 2022. She attended Northeastern Illinois University where she completed the Veterinary Assistant program. Her favorite part of the job is seeing happy and healthy pets reunite with their owners. She enjoys spending her spare time with her dog Bianca, who is a 14 year old Bichon Frise.
Taylor
Taylor was hired at Oak Elm in 2023. Originally from California, she moved to Illinois in 2022. At home she has two adorable dogs, Nugget and Potbelly. Her favorite thing about working at Oak Elm is her coworkers and learning how to do new treatments at work. In her free time, Taylor loves to go on walks and trips with friends and pets.
Jaqueline
Jaqueline happily joined the Oak Elm team in January of 2023. She graduated from Niles West high school in 2018 and is currently attending Purdue University to become a veterinary technician. Jaqueline is extremely passionate about her love for animals and providing animal care. She enjoys reading and watching movies during her free time. Proud owner of a Pomeranian named Romeo, she looks forward to meeting you and your furry family members!
Olivera
Olivera started at Oak Elm in August of 2023. She is currently a student at Unity Environmental College studying marine biology and sustainable aquaculture. She will soon go to veterinary school. She has recently adopted a dog from Wright Way Rescue, his name is Zver.
Marisa
Marisa is our newest member here at Oak Elm. She graduated from Buffalo Grove High School in 2020. At home Marisa has a 9 year old Lab Mix named Emma. Her favorite thing about working at Oak Elm are all of the cute French Bulldogs that she gets to interact with. In her free time she likes to hang out with friends and family.
INTERNS
Zonna
Zonna started at Oak Elm as an intern back in 2022. She grew up in Des Plaines and graduated from Maine West High School in 2024. From a young age, Zonna has been passionate about animals and has even ridden horses from the age of 3. She is majoring in Animal Science at Auburn University in order to hopefully one day become a veterinarian. Her favorite part of work is seeing and learning new things every day.
SEASONAL EMPLOYEES
Elisabeth
Elisabeth joined Oak Elm as an intern in 2018 and has continued to work during her breaks from school. She graduated from Maine West High School in 2020 and is currently majoring in Biological Sciences at DePaul University. She will be attending Veterinary School in the Fall of 2024. She has a Bichon Frise named Mickey, who she loves to spend her free time with.
Ryan
Ryan started at Oak Elm as an intern in 2019. He graduated from Maine West High School in 2020 and Florida State University in 2024. He will be attending Veterinary school at University of Florida in the Fall of 2024. During his breaks from school, Ryan works at Oak Elm and gets to see his cat, Obi and his Bouvier des Flanders, Tucker.
Michael
Michael has been a veterinary assistant during his Summer and Winter breaks for the last few years now. He graduated from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign studying Animal Science in 2024 and will be attending Veterinary School at Long Island University. He has a pet bunny named Rocket that he travels everywhere with. One thing that Michael loves about working at Oak Elm is helping sick animals in need and watching their progress back to health.
Anna
Anna started at Oak Elm in May of 2023. She graduated from Maine West in 2019 and now attends University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as an Animal Science major. Anna wishes to attend vet school someday. She has two cats and loves hanging out with them in her free time. Her favorite thing about Oak Elm is interacting with different pets.
