Animal Emergency Hospital Volusia

Connecting During COVID

With everyone so busy – at the clinic and in life – we thought it would be a good idea to make every effort to help you get to know us better, even if we can’t meet in person right now. Providing quality emergency and critical care for your patients is always best when we truly collaborate on the needs of the pet, family, and you, their primary care veterinarian.

It’s with your incredible support that we’ve grown so much over the last several years. In fact, you may recall we broke ground on a second location in DeLand just a few months ago. The pandemic slowed things down a bit but we’re now beginning the site work to prepare the land to build, with an anticipated opening date of late 2021. We’ll keep you updated, but please continue to check back for news of our progress here.

Medical Director/Owner - Dr. Diane Johnson

Most of you probably know Dr. Diane Johnson. For those that don’t, she’s been serving the pets of Volusia/Flagler counties since 2000. Born in California, raised in Hawaii, Dr. Johnson has spent nearly her whole career in emergency medicine, with a strong professional interest in surgery, cardiology, and ultrasound.

A 1994 Ross University graduate, Dr. Johnson completed her clinical year at Oklahoma State University. After practicing in Virginia, Jacksonville, and St. Augustine, she launched Animal Emergency Hospital Volusia (AEHV) in Holly Hill in 2006, open nights/weekends/holidays. The caseload grew quickly, and together with her partner, Tania Marchand, MD, they purchased the 7500 square foot building that currently serves as AEHV’s Ormond Beach hospital. Prior to becoming a radiologist in human healthcare, Dr. Marchand worked in finance. Together with Dr. Johnson’s dedication to advanced veterinary care including diagnostics, surgery, and mentoring younger veterinarians, they make a wonderful team.

Supporting the dedicated team and veterinary community at large has been and remains enormously important and gratifying for Dr. Johnson. At home, she has a menagerie of pets, normally in the range of 6 dogs, 2 cats, a few horses, turtles, and a macaw, although it can vary. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

Hospital Administrator - Josh Lamb, MHA

Josh is a Florida transplant, originally from Omaha, Nebraska. After spending several years as a manager in human hospitals and private medical practices, he has enthusiastically taken the leap into veterinary medicine. Josh earned a Masters’ Degree in Healthcare Administration from Clarkson College in Omaha and completed an administrative fellowship with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. His experience includes overseeing practices in oncology/hematology, as well as a large OB/GYN group in Charleston, South Carolina.

When he is not at work, Josh enjoys being active by spending much of his time outdoors, and with friends and family. He is excited about being in the Southeast and looks forward to embracing the Coastal Florida lifestyle.

HR and Admin. Coordinator - Sunni Willis, CVT

Sunni is a recent transplant from Massachusetts. She is a certified veterinary technician (CVT) and has over twenty years of experience in veterinary medicine and hospital management. Focusing on the team and helping each individual acquire the knowledge they need to have a fulfilling career is what motivates Sunni every day. She knows how challenging it can be to maintain the spark and passion for veterinary medicine, especially in emergency/critical care. There is so much talent at AEHV, that she wants to keep these dedicated people in animal health where they make so much difference.

Sunni has two grown children. Her daughter has followed in her footsteps and is a veterinary technician and her son is finishing his graduate degree with plans to become a history teacher. Sunni shares her home with her husband and three dogs, a mixed breed named Disco, and two Chihuahuas named John Gotti and Violet.

Customer Service Rep. Manager - Joshua Van Nieuwal

Joshua originally started at AEHV as a veterinary assistant in early 2016. He is committed to the animal health profession and is continually working to expand his knowledge in veterinary hospital management. While working at AEHV, he has learned valuable skills that help him lead the front desk team in delivering positive experiences for each pet owner and referring veterinarian. Joshua particularly enjoys serving as the liaison between primary care clinics and the emergency hospital and is more than happy to drop by with supplies for your clients (or goodies for you!). Joshua holds himself to high standards and cares deeply for the welfare of AEHV patients.

A new dad, Joshua and his wife are busy with their baby boy (and pup), when they’re not at the hospital. Lucky for his family, Joshua is also an exceptional cook!

Technician Supervisor - Stephanie Manginelli

Stephanie has been in the animal health field since her first job. Ever since she can remember, she wanted to work with animals. It is just this commitment to animal health that lead Stephanie to grow into a leadership role and supervise the work and training of our technical team. Over time, she realized her passion was dogs, BIG dogs. Stephanie currently has four Dogues De Bordeaux and French Bulldogs. Good thing she works in veterinary medicine because she loves the smushed faces! Stephanie has even had her hand in showing and owned the #6 bitch in the country in 2016. She also placed in the famous Westminster dog show! Competing in other “sports” with them is also something she and her husband love to do. Her passion outside the show ring as a veterinary technician is neonatal care, birthing, and whelping litters of puppies.

Beyond the clinic, Stephanie and her family enjoy fishing, boating, and spending time with friends out by the fire.