The dedicated staff at the South Florida Wildlife Center are true champions of animal welfare. Their unwavering commitment to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured and orphaned wildlife is nothing short of inspiring. With deep expertise, compassion, and a relentless drive to provide the best care possible, they work tirelessly to give each animal the opportunity to thrive in its natural habitat. The center’s team embodies a unique blend of scientific knowledge and heartfelt dedication, ensuring the protection and preservation of South Florida’s rich biodiversity.
Meet the team!
Alessandra Medri
Executive Director
About Alessandra!
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Carolina Montano
Director of Outreach and Volunteer Services
About Carolina!
Carolina has been SFWC's Director of Outreach since January 2021. With over 15 years of experience in animal husbandry, and community outreach, she oversees SFWC's public engagement, curates our collection of Ambassador Animals, and strives to educate the next generation of wildlife conservationists and inspire them to do better for wildlife and our planet. Carolina earned a Master's Degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Wisconsin and a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science from Nova Southeastern University.
Noreen Abrams
Business Development Manager
About Noreen!
It is a gift to work at the SFWC, healing and returning the beautiful wildlife creatures of South Florida back to nature. I've worked in corporate environments, performing a variety of roles for most of my adult life. Nothing has ever been as fulfilling as being here with this team.
Alexia Oks
Office Manager
About Alexia!
Throughout my life, I’ve nurtured a profound love for animals and a sincere desire to care for them. I joined SFWC because it gives me the chance to share that love and compassion with all the amazing animals that come through our doors for care. Our staff here do exceptional work and it's an honor to be a part of this team!
Erica Sheppard, DVM
Staff Veterinarian
About Dr. Sheppard!
Dr. Sheppard graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Animal Science with a veterinary bioscience concentration. She then went on to attend veterinary school at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Massachusetts. After moving around the country, Dr. Sheppard decided to return to Florida by completing a one-year specialty avian and exotics internship at Coral Springs Animal Hospital. During her internship, she continued to work closely at SFWC as a relief veterinarian and is thrilled to have joined the team as a full-time veterinarian.
Molly Horgan, DVM
Staff Veterinarian
About Dr. Horgan!
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Maria Vanegas
Rehabilitation/Release & Nursery Supervisor
About Maria!
Over the past 12 years at SFWC, I've been fortunate to gain extensive experience in rehabilitating sick or injured wildlife and caring for orphans. My favorite aspect of the job is teaching new employees, volunteers, and HomeCare Heroes. It's incredibly rewarding to pay it forward and help spread knowledge about wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release.
Joscelyn Bentz
Clinic Supervisor
About Joscelyn!
I first found SFWC as a volunteer while in college. I was in awe of the work the center was able to accomplish, and knew my passion aligned with SFWC's mission. I love that every day, I learn something new and that I'm always surrounded by inspirational people who share my goals.
Glenn Georgis
Facilities Manager
About Glenn!
I choose to work at the South Florida Wildlife Center because of the positive atmosphere. I practically live here, and I am grateful to say that this is my second home, being able to help this important cause is something I take a lot of pride in.
Nick Sonzogni
Wildlife Rehabilitation, Rescue, and Release Lead
About Nick!
My favorite aspect of my role involves the rescue and rehabilitation of animals. The opportunity to assist an animal in distress, support its rehabilitation, and ultimately release it back into its natural habitat is profoundly fulfilling. I couldn’t ask for a more rewarding career.
Camila Pulido
Outreach Lead & Volunteer Coordinator
About Camila!
My favorite part of this job is getting community members excited about the wildlife in their environment. I have loved going to schools with the Outreach team and seeing the students light up when we talk about wildlife. I have especially loved doing this in Spanish, with the Latin community in South Florida.
Eloisa Valencia
Wildlife Rehabilitator Team Lead
About Eloisa!
My favorite species to work with is the Brown Pelican. They have such vibrant personalities and are really sweet creatures. It is rewarding to watch the process of their recovery and to say I have been a part of it.
Natalie Nicosia
Outreach Coordinator
About Natalie!
From a young age, I've aspired to work with wildlife, and now, having the opportunity to engage with children and potentially influence their lives in a positive way is deeply fulfilling. Working in outreach allows me to see the tangible impact of our educational efforts on the community, which is incredibly rewarding.
Tava Boeckel
Outreach Specialist
About Tava!
The community programs we run with our ambassadors are one of my favorite aspects of my job in our outreach department. Every cool animal I learned about as a child through experiences like this at schools and museums has a very special place in my heart. It makes me very happy to not only teach people to not fear our sharp clawed and scaly ambassadors, but also to ignite a fresh passion for wildlife conservation.
Hannah Kittelson
Outreach Specialist
About Hannah!
I moved to Florida in hopes of finding new/different opportunities working with animals that I was unable to find in Iowa. I have been very interested in working with wildlife since taking some wildlife courses in my last year of college and was excited to find this opportunity to expand my knowledge of wildlife care in a hospital and rehabilitation setting. Working with the ambassador animals in the outreach department was an added bonus.
TBD
Outreach Specialist
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Halle Shelton
Outreach Specialist
About Halle!
My passion for working with animals has always driven me, and I felt that joining SWFC would not only help me realize my lifelong dream but also enable me to make a tangible impact. Since graduating, I’ve been searching for a role where I eagerly anticipate coming to work each day, and I’m thrilled to say that SWFC has fulfilled that aspiration. I’m excited to continue contributing here for many years to come.
Jessica Ferrigno
Wildlife Rehabilitator
About Jessica!
Years ago, I started an internship here at SFWC, where I learned how to treat and take care of the amazing wildlife around us properly. Now, I get to raise and care for the babies in the nursery so they can be released back into the wild. I love being able to care for these animals and continue to learn every day to help with my future plans of becoming a veterinarian!
Lisa Bergwin
Wildlife Rehabilitator
About Lisa!
My favorite success story is All of Them! I, like a lot of us, have a soft spot for the underdogs. Nevertheless, every baby that comes into our care is scared, no matter the circumstances that brought them there. From bouncy baby birds to tiny opossums and squirrels that fit in the palm of your hand to the unbearably cute baby raccoons, to see them grow up and move outside, the next step towards independence is greatly rewarding.
Erika Piechowski
Wildlife Rehabilitator
About Erika!
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Mercy Torres
Wildlife Rehabilitator
About Mercy!
Raccoons are my favorite species to work with! I love their unique personalities and how naughty they are! I enjoy watching them grow up and go back to the wild the most; they are where they belong and are ready to begin their lives!
Millie Otero
Wildlife Rehabilitator
About Millie!
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Kimberly Puente
Wildlife Rehabilitator
About Kimberly!
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Riley Munsen
Wildlife Rehabilitator
About Riley!
My favorite thing about working at SFWC is being involved in a patient's journey to recovery. There is no better feeling than seeing a patient regain the strength to stand, eat on their own, and eventually return to the wild.
Hannah Reed
Wildlife Rehabilitator
About Hannah!
One of my favorite parts of the job is setting up our outdoor enclosures for the last part of our patients rehabilitation process. I enjoy mimicking their natural environment in our enclosures and observing their natural behaviors.
Greg Adler
Wildlife Rehabilitator
About Greg!
Being a part of SFWC makes me feel I'm doing something worthwhile. The people here are devoted to helping those injured/sick wildlife that can't help themselves.
Paola Ferrer
Wildlife Rehabilitator
About Paola!
My favorite part of the job is being actively involved in the rehabilitation process, seeing an animal recover from critical injuries, and watching it return back to the wild. Having the opportunity to collaborate with such a passionate and dedicated team, combined with knowing that my efforts directly contribute to the animal's well-being, is incredibly rewarding.
Rhianna Miller
Veterinary Assistant
About Rhianna!
I have been a passionate animal enthusiast since childhood. When I was little, my father and I would often come across wildlife in need of help, and SFWC was always there. Now, I am a proud team member of SFWC. I could not be more grateful to be a part of an organization that has been committed to extraordinary care for our native wildlife here since being founded in 1969!
Natalie Hess
Veterinary Assistant
About Natalie!
My favorite part of being a veterinary assistant is having the opportunity to save the lives of Florida's wildlife every single day. From assisting in surgeries, to caring for critical patients in our intensive care unit, or simply being the first person to offer them lifesaving care when they come through our doors, I look forward to getting to help these amazing animals firsthand, aid in their recoveries, and contribute to their conservation!
Danielle Dowgiallo
Veterinary Assistant
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Billy Parrish
Facilities Technician
About Billy!
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Anthony Weare
Facilities Technician
About Anthony!
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