Animals have always been Dr. Baumgartner's passion. She has lived with housefuls of animals for most of her life. She believes all animals bring a joy and completeness to our lives that is so basic yet so complex; our lives are touched permanently by every relationship we have with our pets.

Dr. Baumgartner has been a general practice veterinarian with VCA Berwyn Animal Hospital since 1997 and became Medical Director in 2019. Her practice focuses on sick pet care and wellness, along with education and consultation to enhance and sustain quality life for all pets and their relationships with their human families. She also serves as an acute care veterinarian, providing rapid and complete assessment of illness and injury while helping owners deal with stressful decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Baumgartner graduated with honors from the University Of Illinois College Of Veterinary Medicine in 1992. While at the U of I, she was on the dean's list and was a member of Phi Zeta, the Veterinary Honor Society. She received the Salisbury Scholarship and the Robert B. Gruelle/MONY Award for Excellence in Small Animal Medicine. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Illinois Chicago.

She lives in the western suburbs of Chicago. She has two young cats, Phoebe & Jellybean, as well as an energetic rescued German Short-haired Pointer named Smudge.