Meet Our Veterinary Team

Staff Veterinarian

Originally born in New Orleans, Dr. Ford developed her love of animals from a young age. She grew up riding horses and caring for every stray animal she found. Dr. Ford earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia(Go Dawgs!). After undergrad, she attended St. George’s University on the beautiful island of Grenada, West Indies, where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and developed a passion for scuba diving and all things island life. She completed her clinical year at Auburn University and then moved to New York for a rotating internship. It was there she fell in love with the exciting, fast-paced life New York City offered. Dr. Ford continued to practice veterinary medicine in New York City and has a strong interest in the human–animal bond, fear-free practice, surgery, and medicine. After braving too many northeast winters, Dr. Ford is excited to be back in the tropical sunshine and ease into a more relaxed way of life. Her interests include scuba diving, free diving, boating, yoga, and spending time with her rescue bulldog, Bogie, and Chihuahua Romeo.

Staff Veterinarian

Dr. Marta Pawluk was born and raised in Poland. After graduating high school, she left her home country to study in the United States. She completed her undergraduate studies in Philadelphia, graduating Cum Laude from Temple University. From there, she headed off to veterinary school in Grenada, West Indies, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. Georges University. After several years of island living in Grenada, she returned to the US to complete her clinical year at Cornell University, followed by an externship at the University of Pennsylvania.

While attending veterinary school, Dr. Marta particularly enjoyed emergency medicine cases. Owning and fostering shelter animals all her life, she has also been a proponent of rescued animals and volunteered at several spay/neuter clinics while studying veterinary medicine. Dr. Pawluk also donates her time to help our local animal shelters and rescue groups.

Away from work, Dr. Marta enjoys spending time outdoors. Her hobbies include hiking, running, and playing tennis. Now living in the Keys, she is thrilled to be back near the water, where she likes SCUBA diving, kayaking, and paddleboard. Dr. Marta resides in Key Largo with Meitschi, an island dog she adopted while in Grenada.

Originally from Traverse City, Michigan, she has always felt she is “tropical at heart.” Relocating to Key Largo was a dream come true for Michelle and her husband, Jason. They have three fur children: Sushi Roll, a Pug; Tootsie Roll, a Teacup Chihuahua; and Musa Saki, a Bengal.

In her spare time, Michelle loves SCUBA diving, kayaking, birding, or anything she can do to enjoy the beautiful nature that is Key Largo with Jason.

She earned her associate’s degree in Equine Photography from the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. Still, after adopting an off-the-track Thoroughbred, she decided on a career in the veterinary field. She quickly became fascinated with rehabilitation, nursing old race injuries, and giving these horses a second chance at a new life. She is currently in school to become a Certified Veterinary Technician.

Bri moved to the Keys with her fiancé Giovani and two fur babies- Holly, a Bull Terrier, and Chubs, an American Bully- to live out their island dream.

When not helping animals, you can typically find her paddle boarding, boating, at the beach playing fetch in the sand with her pups, or reading- she never leaves home without access to a good book! She also loves horseback riding and visiting Disney whenever she gets the chance!

Born and raised in Arkansas, Savanna fell in love with the beautiful nature that surrounded her but found herself even more compelled to study the ocean and the creatures within it. She majored in Biology at Hendrix College in AR, where she had the opportunity to live in Costa Rica while studying leatherback sea turtles.

This launched Savanna’s passion for studying marine life, which led her to working in her school’s research lab that studied spinner dolphin muscles. These animals were fascinating, but she had only ever looked at them through a microscope and wanted to experience them in person. After graduation, Savanna moved to Maui where she got to see the dolphins and where she started her career in veterinary medicine.

Since then, Savanna has worked with seals and sea lions, but her favorite so far has been the furry friends that walk through the Island Hammock Pet Hospital doors!

When she’s not working, you’ll find her scuba diving with her boyfriend, Louis, taking long walks with their two huskies, Luna and Ashyda, or sunbathing with their bearded dragon, Goby!

She’s always been passionate about animals and how much they bring joy into our lives, so working at Island Hammock Pet Hospital makes her feel very accomplished. Paloma enjoys spending time with her family, loves music, the outdoors, and caring for her big cat family!

Zuzu recently moved to Key Largo with her fiancé, as well as her caravan of creatures; lizards, birds, fish, frog and dog in tow- Zuzu brings her diverse knowledge and adoration of the animal kingdom with her to Island Hammock. In her free time, Zuzu enjoys picking through bushes and palm fronds, searching for interesting creatures that call the Keys home. She also likes to spend time with her own animal babies, tending to her small zoo at home. Her dog Beau is her world and Zuzu understands the intense connection we share with our pets, making her a great addition to the Island Hammock team.