What is Board Certified Ophthalmologist?
The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ACVO) is the American Veterinary Medical Association specialty Board, which sets the standards for advanced professionalism in veterinary ophthalmology. This college is an association, not an actual physical location. After a person graduates from veterinary college (4 years), they must attain a minimum of 12 months full-time clinical practice as a veterinarian, and complete a 3-year or longer residency training program in veterinary ophthalmology under the supervision of at least one DACVO. Once the residency is completed, the board certification process begins, first with a credentials package consisting of publications, case reports and resume. IF the credentials are accepted by the ACVO exam committee, the applicant is allowed to take the examination. The exam lasts four days and consists of written practical and surgical parts, Finally, after passing all of the above criteria, the veterinarian is considered a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (DACVO) or in short, is Board Certified in Veterinary Ophthalmology.
Kimberly M. Stanz DVM,
DACVO
Board Certified in Veterinary Ophthalmology
Dr. Stanz is a Buffalo native who grew up always wanting to become a veterinarian. After getting a BA in biology from Canisus College in 1987, she went to Cornell for her DVM degree – graduating as the 1991 class valedictorian. At Cornell, she discovered her passion for ophthalmology while working for the ophthalmology department during the summer clinics in 1990. After a 1 year internship at Auburn University, she finished a 3 year residency in veterinary ophthalmology in 1995 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With passing the board certification examination that same year, she moved back to Buffalo to be the first to offer specialty eye care to the animals of Western New York. After working 5 years at a multi-specialty practice, she started the first clinic solely dedicated to eye care for animals, Animal Eye Care of Western New York. Dr. Stanz lives in Orchard Park with her husband Bob and a gang of rescued one-eyed or blind cats that keep her busy when not at the office! There is another group of eye-handicapped cats at her office too! Dr. Stanz also has a passion for gourmet cooking, wine and fashion.
Melanie Mineo DVM,
Dr. Mineo is a native of Western New York. She attended D'Youville College and graduated in 1991 with a BS in Biology. She then attended Purdue University, receiving her DVM degree in 1996. After graduation she accepted a small animal internship in Newark, Delaware and after completion remained on staff there practicing both general and emergency medicine while continuing to pursue additional training in ophthalmology. In 2001 she moved to Florida to accept a veterinary ophthalmology internship position, which culminated in the completion of an ACVO approved ophthalmology residency in 2005. Her residency program involved studies in not only a private clinical setting, but also included rotations at North Carolina State University, University of Georgia, University of Florida and Merck Laboratories. She continued to work as an associate at the Animal Eye Clinic in Clearwater, Florida until 2008. Later that year, she completed the ACVO board certification process and returned to New York to join Upstate Veterinary Specialties in Albany where she started their ophthalmology department and ocular referral service. In 2011 she came back home to Buffalo to join Dr. Stanz and the staff at Animal Eye Care of Western New York.
Monday 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Dr. Mineo only
Tuesday 8:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.
Wednesday 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Dr. Mineo only
Wednesday 2:00p.m. to 6:30p.m. Dr. Stanz every other Wednesday
Thursday 8:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.
Friday 8:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. Dr. Stanz only