Companion Animal Hospital - Neurology - Meet Our Specialty Team
The Neurology and Neurosurgery Service at Cornell’s Companion Animal Hospital is a team of enthusiastic, compassionate veterinary professionals. Our service uses a collaborative approach that leverages each person’s expertise to diagnose and treat a variety of neurologic conditions afflicting our patients.
Faculty
Yael Merbl, BSc, DVM, DipECVN
Assistant Professor, Section of Neurology/Neurosurgery
Board Certified Neurologist
Dr. Yael Merbl obtained her DVM from the Hebrew University in Israel. She completed a small animal rotating internship and worked for two years as a general practitioner before pursuing her neurology residency at the Koret Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Israel. Following this training, she spent two additional years in a referral center. Drawn to academia, she moved with her family to Pullman Washington, where she worked as an Assistant Professor for Washington State University. Now at Cornell, her clinical and research interests involve brain diseases and comparative research on diseases shared by humans and their four-legged friends.
In her free time Dr. Merbl enjoys listening to music, exploring nature, photography and traveling to places she has not yet seen. Dr. Merbl and her husband have three children, two dogs and a cat making their house a happy and lively home.
Jonathan H. Wood, VMD, DACVIM (Neurology)
Assistant Clinical Professor Section of Neurology/Neurosurgery and Co-Section Chief
Board Certified Neurologist
Dr. Jonathan Wood enjoys novel or advanced neurosurgery, especially tumor reduction of the spine and brain. He also enjoys seeing students, interns and residents learn and grow to love neurology.
Dr. Wood achieved his veterinary degree at the University of Pennsylvania. Following graduation, he did a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery, and stayed to complete a residency in neurology and neurosurgery. He was invited to stay at Penn Vet as a clinical neurologist.
After several years at Penn Vet, Dr. Wood migrated north with his family and happily took a position with the Cornell neurology and neurosurgery team.
Dr. Wood loves being outside and exploring rural New York with his two young sons, Forrest and Orion, and his wife Rebecca. He especially enjoys growing plants and trees from seed and appreciating the beauty in all four seasons.
Licensed Veterinary Technicians
Amanda Atkinson, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Amanda graduated from Alfred State College in 2006. Following graduation, she did a one-year veterinary technician internship at the University of Tennessee. After her internship, she came back to Ithaca and worked in private practice for a few years before joining Cornell. Amanda has been at Cornell for 12 years, working in the nursing care units, the emergency department, and now neurology.
Since joining neurology in June, Amanda has been blown away by the wealth of knowledge gained. It's so rewarding to help the veterinary students in a more focused setting. It's amazing to see the patients and their progress during their time here. She's excited for the road ahead in this department.
In her free time, Amanda enjoys home workouts, reading, and spending time with her family.
Leslie Hopkins, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Leslie Hopkins attended SUNY Canton to pursue certification as a licensed veterinary technician. She has worked with the Cornell Neurology Service for 13 years.
“I enjoy working with our patients and keeping them comfortable while they are staying in the hospital. I love it when a patient comes into our service and can go home on the healing path feeling much better. It makes me happy to share what I have learned over the years with the students and residents that rotate through our service.”
In her free time, Hopkins enjoys gardening, canning, swimming and spending time outside with family.
Residents
Amy Huynh, DVM
Neurology Resident
Dr. Amy Huynh obtained her veterinary degree at University of California at Davis in 2022. Following graduation, she moved to Cornell to complete her rotating internship in emergency, medicine and surgery and stayed on for her neurology residency. Dr. Huynh is excited to continue her clinical and research training at Cornell and to continue serving pets and clients in the region.
In her free time, Dr. Huynh enjoys exploring the area with her dog, Churro, and spending time with her cat, Sebastian.
Tiffany Kei, DVM
Neurology Resident
Dr. Tiffany Kei earned her veterinary degree at Cornell University in 2023. Following graduation, she moved to Philadelphia to complete her small animal rotating internship in emergency, medicine, and surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Ryan Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Kei is excited to return to Cornell to continue her training with the Neurology service, and to help families feel empowered in managing their pets' conditions.
In her free time, Dr. Kei enjoys baking, exploring the local food scene, and spending time with her cat Prim.
Mackenzie Kilbourn, DVM
Neurology Resident
Dr. Mackenzie Kilbourn earned her degree in veterinary medicine at Michigan State University in 2020. Following graduation, she completed a rotating internship in medicine, emergency, and surgery at Tufts University and a specialty internship in neurology/neurosurgery at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego. Dr. Kilbourn loves to help people and their pets and is delighted to continue her training with the neurology service at Cornell.
In her free time, Dr. Kilbourn enjoys camping trips with her large extended family in Michigan, outdoor concerts, and spending time with her snuggly cat Bernadette.