Dr. Michael Wong and wife, Dr. Myri-Ann Melendez, 2010
Prioritizing Patient Care
Availability. Excellence. Integrity.
Dr. Michael Wong and wife, Dr. Myri-Ann Melendez, 2010
As a veterinary neurologist-to-be in 2009, I knew I could fulfill my lifelong dream of helping pets anywhere in the US with such a highly sought-after specialty. But I was less concerned with geography than how the hospital would function. I wanted somewhere I could be the first neurologist starting a new service, be available to patients whenever needed, and use high-field MRI. I wanted to work somewhere that prioritized patient care over the numbers.
I explored opportunities from California to New Jersey. At the time, there was only one neurologist in South Florida. Since I’m Florida-raised, and my wife, Myri-Ann, is from Puerto Rico, Miami made sense for us. So I interviewed at the largest multispecialty hospitals in the area. While each offered a great opportunity, none felt quite right. They either wanted to use a less expensive (lower quality) MRI or didn’t encourage flexible availability to patients.
During my residency at North Florida Neurology, a privately owned practice in Orange Park, I had observed how a single-specialty hospital operated, and I began to think, “Maybe I could start a neurology practice."
One handshake with Dr. Smith
and SEVN was born.
First, I needed an MRI. I called high-field MRI centers until one finally agreed to let me scan patients before they opened at 6am or after they closed at 10pm. Next, I needed a place to see appointments, perform surgeries, and hospitalize patients. I visited emergency hospitals and pitched that I would use their space when they were closed, bring my own supplies, do MRIs off site, and pay a percentage of their rent and utilities.
Then I walked into Miami Pet Emergency. It was clean and quiet. Dr. George Smith entered the waiting area. Slicked-back hair, thick-rimmed glasses, beaming smile. White coat, freshly pressed red scrubs, stethoscope. Behind him were his three dogs: Scuzz, a scruffy Chow mix somewhere between 18-25 years old; Wexy, a Rotty mix that Dr. Smith adopted when the owner wanted to euthanize due to a broken leg (which he fixed); and Ted, a rambunctious one-year-old Poodle that could easily jump six feet. Pretty much on a handshake, Dr. Smith agreed to my proposal, and Southeast Veterinary Neurology (SEVN) was born.
Our first patient was an emergency, three days before opening - Sebastian, a Chihuahua pup with a head injury. Our first referral was Chabela, a 14-year-old Pomeranian with seizures. Our first MRI was Bella, a one-year-old Chi/Yorkie mix who UF couldn’t see for another two weeks; she wouldn’t have made it. Our first surgery was “Q,” a 20-pound mix with a slipped disc who would have never walked again otherwise. It was clear; South Florida needed us!
