Medical Oncology Staff
DR. JOYCE E. OBRADOVICH
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
Dr. Joyce Obradovich earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Michigan State University in 1977 in Microbiology and Public Health. She worked as a research technician at Yale University’s School of Medicine for a short time in pulmonary cancer research. This sparked her desire to return to pursue a medical career, however with her long time love of animals, she elected to pursue veterinary medicine. At the onset of her veterinary training, her strong interest was in equine medicine (having owned horses since age 13), but when her own dog, Buff, a golden retriever, developed lymphoma while she was a junior veterinary student, her entire focus changed.
This personal experience, along with her past cancer research experience, led her to actively pursue a residency training program in oncology. After graduation from MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1985 (DVM degree) she spent 2 years in private practice, then returned to MSU for a medical/surgical internship in 1987. From there, she was accepted into Colorado State University’s prestigious oncology residency. While at CSU Dr. Obradovich won two national awards through the Veterinary Cancer Society and the American College of Veterinary Medicine for her research with “granulocyte colony stimulating factor” or G-CSF. G-CSF helps prevent and alleviate serious side effects to chemotherapy in patients.
Since becoming board certified with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) in the subspecialty of oncology, Dr. Obradovich has been in private oncology practice in southeastern Michigan. In July of 2000, she opened the Animal Cancer & Imaging Center (ACIC), which was the culmination of her career long dream to run a free-standing veterinary cancer clinic. Dr. Obradovich has served as an adjunct faculty member of the Michigan State Universities College of Veterinary Medicine, where she has lectured on veterinary oncology and sponsored a clinical rotation at ACIC for senior veterinary students for 7 years. Dr. Obradovich has numerous publications and book chapters to her credit and in August of 2016 published an oncology textbook that she was commissioned to write.
Dr. Jennifer Dec
Oncology Intern, Practice Limited to Oncology
Dr. Jennifer Dec earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree rom the College for Creative Studies (1995) and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry rom Oakland University (2000). During her studies at Oakland University, Dr. Dec participated in biochemical research to determine the antimicrobial activity of gangliosides. Her long time love of medicine and the care of animals led her to pursue an education in veterinary medicine. Dr. Dec earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2004 from Michigan State University. During her time as a professional student, she worked on eliciting the genetic basis of malocclusion in miniature donkeys and dogs using comparative genetic markers from humans.
Dr. Dec worked for 12 years in Emergency and Primary Care practice. While observing the specialty of Otolaryngology at the University of Michigan, Dr. Dec developed an interest in cancers of the head and central nervous system, and the multi-specialty team approach of management of these diseases. During this time, her own dog, Bond, developed B-Cell Lymphoma. These developments, along with her strong desire to drive the progress of medicine, sparked a desire to pursue further training in animal and comparative oncology.
Dr. Dec has shown Weimaraners, Border Collies, and Sphynx cats in conformation and agility both nationally and internationally. In her spare time she enjoys distance running, swimming, biking, and physical challenges.
Dr. Alyson Rockett
Oncology Intern, Practice Limited to Oncology
Dr. Alyson Rockett earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from North Carolina State University in 1988. A Doctorate degree followed in 1992 from the NCSU-College of Veterinary Medicine. She has a special interest in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Rockett relocated from NC to Michigan in 1995 to pursue her veterinary career.
In 2000, Dr. Rockett and her business partner developed and built the Animal Emergency Center, a 24-hour Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary hospital in southeastern Michigan. Two years after its inception, the facility grew into a dual location with 24-hour hospitals in both Novi and Rochester, Michigan. Shortly thereafter in 2005, a cardiology specialty service with board certified veterinary cardiologists was added serving both locations. Dr. Rockett sold her practice to the current owner in 2011. This allowed more time to be with her children, Olivia and Alec, both of whom are now successful college students.
Dr. Rockett loves her work as an associate veterinarian at Affiliated Veterinary Emergency Service and also Animal Cancer and Imaging Center. Dr. Rockett first worked with Dr. Obradovich in our previous Rochester Hills ACIC office over 15 years ago! Dr. Rockett has been an avid equestrian and horse owner since the age of 10 and has participated in all types of activities from trail riding and horse camping in the NC mountains and Outer Banks of the NC coast, to traditional fox hunting in both North Caroline and Virginia. She now enjoys spending down time with her horse, Royal Storm (aka Stormie), competing with him in the hunter/jumper horse show world. Her constant companions are her beloved Bella, a 15-year-old Chihuahua, and Tucky, a 3-year-old mixed up, 9 lb. mix!
MEDICAL ONCOLOGY NURSES
Samantha Hartman
LiCensed Veterinary TechniCian
Samantha, a surgical technician and patient care technician, graduated from Bel-Rea Institute of Veterinary Technology in 2011. She was licensed in 2012. Since graduation, she has worked in emergency medicine and continues to do relief shifts in the ER to keep her skills fresh. Samantha is married and has a two young sons, Xander and Theoden. She also has 3 cats (a tuxedo named Zoe and 2 tabby's named Zapp and Morbo). She spends her free time drawing (Samantha is an excellent artist!) and enjoys reading.
Mary O’Connor
LiCensed Veterinary TechniCian
Mary is a 2017 graduate of Macomb Community College’s Veterinary Technician Program. She joined the ACIC team directly after graduation. Prior to joining, Mary worked in the ER and completed two internships in critical care. Her clinical interests include oncologic emergencies, endocrine tumors, and multiple myeloma. Mary’s favorite aspect of working in oncology is relationships formed with the patient and the patient’s family. Outside of work, Mary enjoys mastering the art of French pastry, southern cooking, watching crime shows on Netflix, crocheting, and farmhouse interior design. Her family includes her husband Derek, and a very mischievous and deaf Ragdoll cat named Chuck!
ANGELA PROVOT
LICENSED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
Angela graduated from Wayne County Community College and became licensed in 2007. She has 15 years experience in general practice prior to joining ACIC’s medical oncology team in 2020. Angela enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, dog and three cats. Her hobbies are playing roller derby, disc golf, reading, and camping.