Staff Image
Samantha Rudolph
Medical Director DVM

I grew up by the beach in Los Angeles, CA, and my family always had pets, including dogs, cockatiels, a parakeet, a rat, frogs, and innumerable goldfish. From a young age, I had always been interested in animals and their care, but had not initially considered a career in veterinary medicine when starting college. Throughout my life, I always excelled in mathematics and I decided to major in Finance at San Diego State University. I needed a job in college and a friend pointed me in the direction of a position at the front desk of a veterinary hospital. I immediately fell in love with the practice of veterinary medicine, changed career paths, and haven’t looked back since. I even decided to volunteer for a veterinary service trip to Nicaragua and Costa Rica to provide medical care and practice surgical skills to confirm that it was the right field of work for me. Needless to say, I absolutely loved everything about the medical care of animals. I decided to double major in Finance and Biology/Pre-VetMed, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and minors in Business Administration and Psychology. After 5.5 years of college, I continued to work full time as a veterinary technician before leaving for veterinary school at Midwestern University in Phoenix, AZ.

Being a part of the inaugural class at Midwestern University’s College of Veterinary Medicine was both exciting and terrifying. As soon as I interviewed at the school and heard of their plans for creating a unique program that’s highly focused on hands-on medicine, I knew it was the place for me. I could not have asked for a better education and start to my veterinary career. After four rigorous years of late-night studying, weekend mobile surgery, and endless exams, I am happy to say I survived and received an invaluable education.

My primary areas of interest are small animal dentistry, soft tissue surgery, dermatology, and exotic animal medicine. I especially enjoy working with pocket pets and reptiles. In my free time, I enjoy hiking with my dog, Quincy, cuddling up on the couch with my cat, Leila, sewing, cooking, and exploring new restaurants with friends.

Veterinarians

Our veterinarians are a team of highly trained individuals dedicated to the health and well-being of your pets. Explore our veterinarians' biographies and learn about the individuals who make our hospital an excellent choice for your pet's care.