Jon Jacobson DVM - veterinarian
Hi. My name is Jon Jacobson. I am the veterinarian and owner of North Hoffman Veterinary Clinic. I opened NHVC in 2015 to provide a more personalized, friendly style of veterinary medicine. There seems to be trend driven by the larger corporate veterinary practices, where most of a client and patient's time is spent with support staff. The doctor just pops in, does a quick exam, and pops out again. I wanted to provide an alternate approach, to spend more time getting to know my patients and clients, and to take the time to explain and discuss their particular health concerns. I find that is a much more satisfying way to practice veterinary medicine.
A little background on me: before I went to vet school, I was a clinical microbiologist in human medicine. I still enjoy spending time in our lab and do as much of the lab work here as I can. While working as microbiologist at University of Chicago hospitals I would spend some of my time off volunteering at the Lincoln Park Zoo in their hospital, which was my first real exposure to veterinary medicine. I learned a lot while volunteering there. At the time I was really just trying to get my foot in the door to try to get a job as a zookeeper. However, after watching my first surgery, I was gripped by the desire not just to watch, but to be the person holding the scalpel.
So, I applied to veterinary school. And with some hard work and A LOT of luck I was admitted to the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. While I was there, in addition to studying, I worked in a research lab and milked cows at the school's dairy herd. I was also the primary investigator for a research project on Black Rhinoceros reproduction. Almost every Saturday for two years I drove to the Milwaukee County Zoo to work with one of their rhinos.
After graduation in 2002, I went to work for a mixed animal practice in rural northwest Illinois, working mostly on pets and on dairy cows, but also on horses, sheep, goats and anything else that needed veterinary care. Working there really drove home for me the importance of getting to know your clients and patients and contributing to the welfare of the community. I stayed with that job for several years, but eventually got married and moved to the suburbs. Since then I have worked in small animal and emergency practice in a couple different clinics in the area.
When I was an undergraduate I took a few years of Japanese language classes, so I speak a little Japanese. I am far from fluent, but I hope I can speak well enough to be of some use to the local Japanese population. One thing I’ve gotten a lot of experience in over the years is filling out the complicated paperwork required to export pets from the U.S. to Japan and other countries.
I spend most of my free time chasing after my wife and two young sons. I also like to go running, and I play ice hockey in a local league.
Hi. My name is Jon Jacobson. I am the veterinarian and owner of North Hoffman Veterinary Clinic. I opened NHVC in 2015 to provide a more personalized, friendly style of veterinary medicine. There seems to be trend driven by the larger corporate veterinary practices, where most of a client and patient's time is spent with support staff. The doctor just pops in, does a quick exam, and pops out again. I wanted to provide an alternate approach, to spend more time getting to know my patients and clients, and to take the time to explain and discuss their particular health concerns. I find that is a much more satisfying way to practice veterinary medicine.
A little background on me: before I went to vet school, I was a clinical microbiologist in human medicine. I still enjoy spending time in our lab and do as much of the lab work here as I can. While working as microbiologist at University of Chicago hospitals I would spend some of my time off volunteering at the Lincoln Park Zoo in their hospital, which was my first real exposure to veterinary medicine. I learned a lot while volunteering there. At the time I was really just trying to get my foot in the door to try to get a job as a zookeeper. However, after watching my first surgery, I was gripped by the desire not just to watch, but to be the person holding the scalpel.
So, I applied to veterinary school. And with some hard work and A LOT of luck I was admitted to the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. While I was there, in addition to studying, I worked in a research lab and milked cows at the school's dairy herd. I was also the primary investigator for a research project on Black Rhinoceros reproduction. Almost every Saturday for two years I drove to the Milwaukee County Zoo to work with one of their rhinos.
After graduation in 2002, I went to work for a mixed animal practice in rural northwest Illinois, working mostly on pets and on dairy cows, but also on horses, sheep, goats and anything else that needed veterinary care. Working there really drove home for me the importance of getting to know your clients and patients and contributing to the welfare of the community. I stayed with that job for several years, but eventually got married and moved to the suburbs. Since then I have worked in small animal and emergency practice in a couple different clinics in the area.
When I was an undergraduate I took a few years of Japanese language classes, so I speak a little Japanese. I am far from fluent, but I hope I can speak well enough to be of some use to the local Japanese population. One thing I’ve gotten a lot of experience in over the years is filling out the complicated paperwork required to export pets from the U.S. to Japan and other countries.
I spend most of my free time chasing after my wife and two young sons. I also like to go running, and I play ice hockey in a local league.
Megan Friel - technician
Megan is a recent transplant from Maine. She graduated from the University of Maine with a B.S. degree in Animal and Veterinary Science. During college she worked on a dairy farm. She has 4 years of experience working in mixed animal practice and 2 years working in emergency practice. She has a two and a half year old Border Collie named Kirby whom you might see hanging around the office with us. She also has a 10 year old Quarter Horse named Doc. Doc you will not see hanging around the office. In her spare time Megan likes to travel, go snowboarding and camping, and go to music festivals.
Megan is a recent transplant from Maine. She graduated from the University of Maine with a B.S. degree in Animal and Veterinary Science. During college she worked on a dairy farm. She has 4 years of experience working in mixed animal practice and 2 years working in emergency practice. She has a two and a half year old Border Collie named Kirby whom you might see hanging around the office with us. She also has a 10 year old Quarter Horse named Doc. Doc you will not see hanging around the office. In her spare time Megan likes to travel, go snowboarding and camping, and go to music festivals.
Shannon Swanson- technician
Shannon works part-time, primarily on Saturdays. She is an invaluable part of our team. When not at work at NHVC she volunteers for a number of organizations. If you've got pet food or products you'd like to donate to a worthy cause, just ask Shannon. She has all the connections. She also volunteers at the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce and usually is the face of clinic at Chamber events and other community events. She has two dogs and two cats..
Shannon works part-time, primarily on Saturdays. She is an invaluable part of our team. When not at work at NHVC she volunteers for a number of organizations. If you've got pet food or products you'd like to donate to a worthy cause, just ask Shannon. She has all the connections. She also volunteers at the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce and usually is the face of clinic at Chamber events and other community events. She has two dogs and two cats..
Michael Brooks - technician emeritus
Michael is a recent transplant from Florida where he was working as a veterinary assistant in small animal practice and as a project scientist conducting migratory bird evaluations. Michael has a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biology and Microbiology, and a Master's Degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Central Florida. In addition to working at North Hoffman Veterinary Clinic on Saturdays and in environmental consulting during the week, he was volunteering at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center.
Happily, but unfortunately for all of us, Michael has moved on and is now attending veterinary school at the University of Illinois.
Michael is a recent transplant from Florida where he was working as a veterinary assistant in small animal practice and as a project scientist conducting migratory bird evaluations. Michael has a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biology and Microbiology, and a Master's Degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Central Florida. In addition to working at North Hoffman Veterinary Clinic on Saturdays and in environmental consulting during the week, he was volunteering at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center.
Happily, but unfortunately for all of us, Michael has moved on and is now attending veterinary school at the University of Illinois.
Cristina Mursuli - technician emeritus
Cristina grew up in the neighborhood around North Hoffman Veterinary Clinic. For the past year and a half she has been helping us part-time on breaks from college. This spring she graduated from Mercer College. She is spending this year teaching in Thailand. And when she comes back next year, she too will be starting veterinary school at the University of Illinois!
Cristina grew up in the neighborhood around North Hoffman Veterinary Clinic. For the past year and a half she has been helping us part-time on breaks from college. This spring she graduated from Mercer College. She is spending this year teaching in Thailand. And when she comes back next year, she too will be starting veterinary school at the University of Illinois!