Meet Our Team

DVM
Youngest of 6 kids, Dr. Nevis occupied her mis-spent youth with mud-pies, craft projects, the family cat, Katrina, and innumerable pet mice, hamsters, rabbits, fish and inchworms. Once she accepted her destiny as the black sheep of the family, taking up animal medicine instead of becoming another engineer, she took to her heels upon graduating UIUC Vet Med in 1997, fleeing to the rolling green hills of Wisconsin where she cut her professional teeth in rural medicine. After 7 years, she returned to the Chicagoland suburb of her childhood, trying out every job anybody’d hire her for, from private practice to wildlife rehab, shelters to home euthanasia, and solo relief work. By far, her favorite way to spend time is in the dental chair or surgical suite, doing what she can to relieve suffering in animals, who show heroic endurance while providing unconditional love for their humans every single day.

DVM
Dr. Tina Vaziri graduated from Auburn University and brings a blend of Eastern and Western medicine to Hillchester Animal Hospital. She is skilled in Wellness Care, Routine Soft Tissue Surgery & Dentals, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Acute and Chronic Illness Care. Dr. Vaziri’s special interests include Hospice Care, Nutrition, Acupuncture, Dermatology, Physical Therapy and Behavior.


Veterinary Technician
Rachel joined the Hillchester Animal Hospital team in June of 2021. Rachel started working with animals in 2018 as a kennel attendant/ vet assistant.

Rachel has always had a passion for animals. She began volunteering at animal shelters when she was 14 years old. Her favorite part of the field is seeing all the sick patients make a speedy recovery. She loves being their cheerleader!

She grew up with dogs all her life; along with cats and birds too! Currently Rachel has 5 rescue dogs, ranging in ages 3 years to 16 years old! (Also sizes range 4lbs to 90lbs!)

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys game night with her family, basketball games, and shopping!

Veterinary Assistant
Veronica is a Chicago native and has dedicated her life to the veterinary field since 2006. She is experienced in both general practice and shelter medicine, working at a private practice in River West and PAWS Chicago in Little Village. Veronica has travelled with veterinary missions to Costa Rica and Nicaragua, providing medical and surgical support for livestock and companion animals in the field hospital setting. Additionally, she spent time on the island country of Grenada, formally studying veterinary medicine in depth. Veronica has a particular interest in surgery, enjoying any time spent in the surgical and dental suites. Throughout her veterinary career, she has assisted with basic and advanced soft tissue, orthopedic, thoracic, and abdominal surgeries and is well-versed the advanced anesthesia techniques of CRIs and locoregional nerve blocks. Her broad range of experience in anesthesia, radiography, surgery and dentistry makes her both a mentor and teacher for others.

In her free time, Veronica enjoys crafting, gardening, and traveling. She loves spending time with her family and their always smiling golden retriever, Riker.

Veterinary Assistant
Mallory joined the team beginning of 2024. Her love of animals came from her grandparents volunteering at an animal sanctuary, Keepers of the Wild in Valentine, AZ. She did also go to school for a little bit in the veterinary field. Mallory’s goal still is to become a CVT. Mallory currently only has two pet German Shepherds, Honey and Lincoln. But is still planning having many more in her and fiancé’s future home together. She is bubbly, kind and has a really great sense of humor.
Mallory spends most of her free time with family, friends and her fiancé, which always includes random adventures and trying new things like food or activities along the way. If it involves cows, even better she says. Mallory is so happy to be part of the Hillchester family.
“Can’t wait to meet all of you, and show the love and care for your pets.”