OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. R. Michael Thomas
Chairman of the Board/President
Dr. Thomas earned his D.V.M. with honors from Auburn University. He is Past President of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), Past Chair of the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Past President of the Companion Animal Parasite Council, and was Vice Chair of the North American Veterinary Education Consortium. He presently serves on the Board of Directors for Veterinary Information Network, Veterinary Study Groups, Veterinary Information Network Foundation, and the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Economic Strategy Committee.
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Dr. Thomas has veterinary licenses in six states and owns eight veterinary hospitals in central Indiana and one in Wheaton, IL, with services ranging from wellness clinics to specialist services. In addition, he was awarded the American Animal Hospital Association’s Practitioner of the Year award for 2008, Distinguished Alumni Award, for Auburn University for 2009 and the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Award in 2011.
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His professional interests include recent and current changes in veterinary medicine and helping private veterinary practice survive and thrive by providing veterinary care in an efficient, cost effective way. Personal interests include, travel, boating, reading, grandchildren, and agriculture.
Crystal Thomas
Secretary
A native Buckeye (from Ohio), Crystal has always had a love for animals. Her parents called her Elly May when she was little. She wanted to be a veterinarian from the age of 8. Her love for animals helped her understand from a young age what a positive affect a pet can bring to a person and a family. She also knows firsthand how finances can play a part when they should not. Unable to attend college due to financial reasons, she moved to Indiana where she had the opportunity to start working for Noah’s Animal Hospital. They provided her the opportunity to attend college while being a single mother.
She graduated from Dallas Community College in 2008 with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. She has always had a passion to help those who love their pets but do not always have the financial means available. She truly believes in the bond between human and animal and how important it can be. Over 15 years later she wants to give back to her community and help that animal bond inspire so many others like the little girl she used to be.
Dr. James Dee
Board Member
Dr. Dee graduated Auburn June 1972 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He was employed as a General Practitioner from 1972 thru 1982 and as Hospital Administrator/Practitioner 1982 thru 2014 at the Hollywood Animal Hospital. Hollywood Animal Hospital is a 23 doctor general / specialty / emergency 24 hour practice. The practice includes an intern training program, in house laboratory as well as a blood bank. The practice was sold to VCA, Veterinary Centers of America in 2014. Dr. Dee was employed by VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital 2014 thru 2017. Retired December 2017.
Dr. Mary Grabow
Board Member
Dr. Grabow knew she wanted to be a veterinarian ever since she was in the 4th grade. Her love of animals, people, and medicine has inspired a 30-year-plus career in veterinary medicine!
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Mary was born in California, but moved to Connecticut when she was only one year old. In the 7th grade, she moved to Indiana and has lived here ever since. She started working as a kennel assistant when she was only 14, and worked her way up by filling any position that she could.
As a veterinarian, Dr. Grabow particularly enjoys client education, preventative care, behavior, and training. She also has a special interest in reproduction and purebred dogs; she says there’s nothing better than performing a flawless c-section and helping puppies come into this world!
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At home, Mary lives with her husband and two children. Her kids are active in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, AKC dog shows, and sports. Mary’s husband is in the Indiana National Guard and has completed two deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The family has a multitude of pets: three dogs, a guinea pig, three cats, three lizards, and three African Thigh Spurred tortoises.
Outside of work, Dr. Grabow likes spending time with her family and traveling. She also loves sea turtles, and even got to see the turtles lay their eggs on the beach during a recent South Carolina family vacation!
Myranda Jennings
Program Director
For over 9 years, Myranda Jennings has been a noteworthy leader in the animal care space. You may know her from her work as the Manager of Clinical Development at Noah’s Animal Hospitals, but Myranda can also be credited with contributions to the Indiana Veterinary Technician Association, as a volunteer for AAHA, and animal welfare outreach in the greater Indianapolis area.
She holds a bachelors degree in Animal Science and became a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2014. Myranda currently resides in Indianapolis with her husband, Sean.
Contact our Board at board@annaspetcarefund.org