Meet Our Team: Animal Lovers to the Core
Our veterinarians are special people who are passionate about your special pets. We are animal lovers before all else, and we happen to be very experienced and skilled in veterinary medicine. Serving pets and their people is a dream job for us all, and we can’t wait to get to know you. Get acquainted with our team below and make an appointment soon to meet us in person!
Have you met our veterinary staff yet? You can meet them online, too.
Stewart J. Silverman, DVM, Senior Veterinary Advisor
“I’m one of those very fortunate people in life who looks forward to coming to work each day because I actually get to do something I love. Whether it’s simply giving wellness exams and getting to play with an adorable puppy or kitten, performing a challenging surgery or helping return a sick pet to health. I’m lucky to have the opportunity to make a difference and enjoy that daily sense of fulfillment.” – Dr. Silverman
Dr. Silverman graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University in 1984. After being an associate veterinarian in eastern Massachusetts for several years, he acquired Melrose Animal Clinic and became Owner and Hospital Director in 1991. Dr. Silverman takes great pride in the excellent care and outstanding service provided at the animal clinic, and considers himself extremely fortunate to have found a career and practice that he finds so personally fulfilling.
Dr. Silverman's professional areas of interest include wellness and preventative care, general and orthopedic surgery, teeth cleaning, and internal medicine. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association, as well as the American Veterinary Dental Society, and the Veterinary Surgical Laser Society.
When not busy at the practice, Dr. Silverman can be found with his three children and his pet, Mia, an adorable kitty who he rescued from a stray litter. Dr. Silverman is an avid Boston sports fan and enjoys biking, exercising, and golf when he can find the time.
Gaura Shah, DVM, Medical Director
“I knew my true calling after my first encounter with a veterinarian at the age of 5. He was so selfless and caring for a stray cat my family brought to him. I was so impressed with the care and compassion displayed I have embraced this philosophy in my life and career." – Dr. Shah
Dr. Shah grew up in New Jersey and completed her undergraduate degree at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. She obtained her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota and continued her education by completing a year-long internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, a 24-hour referral hospital in Tinton Falls, NJ. She made Massachusetts her home and has stayed in the area ever since. Before working at Melrose Animal Clinic, she worked as an emergency clinician at a local veterinary referral hospital.
Outside of work, Dr. Shah enjoys spending time with her furry children, labs Lenus, Callum, and Fergie, as well as her two cats, Mozilla and Haggis. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures, trying new restaurants, and gardening. Dr. Shah's professional interests include, amongst many others, emergency and critical care medicine, internal medicine, ultrasound, and soft tissue surgery.
Bethany Surgan, DVM
"I’ve always been fascinated by animals, biology, and medicine. But our pets don’t always read the textbook, and they certainly can’t tell me what is wrong. Every day at the clinic is different, each animal is unique, and sometimes I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. It is the intersection of medicine, communication, problem-solving, and compassion that keeps me excited, challenged, and humble. I love that I am able to use my brain, my hands, and my heart to help my patients, and to preserve and strengthen the human-animal bond." - Dr. Surgan
Dr. Surgan knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from a young age, but her path wandered a ways before getting there. She grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wesleyan University. After working in non-profit and education, she returned to school to finish her vet pre-requisites. She earned her DVM from the University of California Davis in 2006, and then completed a rotating internship at San Francisco Vet Specialists before finally moving back to the northeast, to Boston. She spent 8 years working in general practice in Belmont, MA, as well as regularly volunteering at the MSPCA Nevins Farm. She joined MAC in January 2016 and is thrilled to be a part of such an outstanding team.
Dr. Surgan loves the variety and challenges of general practice and the opportunity to guide clients and their pets through puppy/kitten-hood to the senior years. Some of her veterinary interests include internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, and shelter medicine. She volunteers with the Mazunte Project/Palmarito Sea Turtle Rescue, traveling to Mexico to provide free mobile spay/neuter clinics to help reduce dog overpopulation and, in turn, decrease predation of endangered sea turtles (Learn more about this amazing project at: https://www.palmaritoseaturtlerescue.org). In her free time, she enjoys working out, traveling near and far, spending time outdoors, listening to live music, and trying new restaurants and recipes. She lives with her partner, John, and their furry family (all rescues) - dogs Mabel, Mila, and Tara, and cats Otto and Newman.
As a side note, her last name actually is pronounced “surgeon,” which often leads to some confusion and much amusement!
Danielle Pelletier, DVM
“I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian since the 5th grade. Since then, my love of animals has remained a constant in my life. I enjoy building and maintaining long term relationships with clients and I care for every patient as if it was my own animal. I am grateful to have found a profession that makes me look forward to going to work every day. I absolutely love what I do and I couldn’t imagine my life without veterinary medicine.” – Dr. Pelletier
Dr. Pelletier was born and raised in Salem, MA, where she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian for as long as she can remember. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maine in 2001 with a major in pre-veterinary medicine and a minor in microbiology. Then, she received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 after completing my senior year at Purdue University. Before joining the Melrose Animal Clinic team, Dr. Pelletier was practicing at the Danvers Animal Hospital for the past 11 years.
Dr. Pelletier continues to call the North Shore her home, along with her husband, Matt, two daughters, and three rescue dogs named Ellie, Colbie, and Casey. She enjoys seeing and treating all species with a strong interest in exotic medicine, internal medicine, dog training, and soft tissue surgery. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, reading, baking, traveling to Disney World, and spending time with her family.
Rachel Hagenow, DVM
"I’ve always loved animals and have known I wanted to be a veterinarian since I was five years old. My goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of my patients and their families. I look forward to meeting your furry family members!" - Dr. Rachel Hagenow
Dr. Rachel Hagenow grew up in Wisconsin, obtaining both her undergraduate degree in Pharmacology-Toxicology and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Following veterinary school, she completed an emergency & critical care internship at the Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center before working at a primary care practice near Madison.
Her professional interests include soft tissue surgery and preventative and internal medicine. Dr. Hagenow has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was five years old and loves making a difference in the lives of her patients and their families.
When outside the clinic walls, Dr. Hagenow enjoys spending time with her husband, dog, Olive, and cat, Milo, as well as working out, reading, snowboarding, and baking. She enjoys all Melrose has to offer and looks forward to meeting your furry family!
Courtney LeBlanc, DVM
"I always knew I wanted to be a veterinarian from a young age as I accompanied my family pets to the vet with my parents. I spent my whole life working with animals and I am so happy to have found my true calling as a veterinarian. Seeing your pets brightens my day. I can't wait to see you and your fur-babies!" - Dr. Courtney LeBlanc
Dr. LeBlanc is from Peabody, MA, and has been working in the veterinary field since 2012. She began as an assistant in high school and progressed to become a veterinary technician. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Salem State University in 2018. In 2019, Dr. LeBlanc joined Melrose Animal Clinic as a veterinary technician. The following year, she started veterinary school at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
During veterinary school, Dr. LeBlanc volunteered with the Homeward Bound Project of Mississippi as the medical coordinator and kitten foster. Over her four years at Mississippi State, she fostered 68 kittens and hopes to continue fostering in Massachusetts. Dr. LeBlanc graduated from veterinary school in 2024 and was excited to accept a new position back home as a veterinarian on our Melrose Animal Clinic team.
Dr. LeBlanc has three cats, Scout, whom she adopted while fostering in Mississippi, her newest addition Asher, and her family cat Mousse, as well as two dogs, Simon and Avery. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and softball, reading, and watching Boston sports.