Meet the Team
Our Doctors
Dr. Tracey Maione, DVM
Founder, Owner, Medical Director, & Veterinarian
Lincoln Park/Rogers Park/Sauganash
Dr. Tracey Maione is the Owner and Medical Director of Oz Animal Hospital. She grew up in Rogers Park and the North Shore suburbs of Chicago, knowing from a young age she wanted to become a Veterinarian. She graduated with high honors from both the College of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 2006.
She worked in a few hospitals in the Chicagoland area, including working as an Associate Professor for the College of Veterinary Medicine Chicago-based teaching hospital, before opening Oz Animal Hospital in 2014.
She is dedicated to sharing the latest advances in the field with her clients and colleagues. Dr. Maione has served on the Board of Directors and as President of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association.
She has also fostered programs for pre-veterinary and veterinary students of many ages, countries, and backgrounds to support the next generations of scientists.
In her free time, Dr. Maione is passionate about international travel, wining & dining, and her family – including son Miles, husband and business partner Paul, her cats Pepperoni and Batman, and her newly rescued Italian dog, Luca.
Dr. Leah Katz, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Lincoln Park
Dr. Katz has lived in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago since 2003, working as a small animal veterinarian, doing what she truly considers to be her dream job. She is a graduate of both Michigan State College of Veterinary Medicine, receiving a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, and the University of Michigan, receiving a Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychology. Dr. Katz believes that every pet deserves caring, insightful, and thorough veterinary care; which involves working as a team with pet parents to pursue the best options for the individual needs of their pet. She also feels it is important that a visit to her office be stress free, and utilizes techniques that create a calming and welcoming experience for her patients. Over the past years, along with establishing a diverse and loyal client base, she has also worked with pre-veterinary students as a mentor devoted to helping others who have a calling to pursue a career in the field. In addition, she has worked with several animal rescue organizations bringing unwell pets back to health, facilitating their adoption into forever homes.
Her time away from work is spent with her husband Jim, their hound dog mix Stewie, and extended family. In the summer months she enjoys trying to grow a decent vegetable garden, and planning vacations to exotic locations.
Dr. Alexandra Pinhasi, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Rogers Park
Dr. Alexandra Pinhasi is a recent graduate. She earned her Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences from Ohio University. She joined Oz Animal Hospital after graduating from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She is originally from Ohio and is very excited to become part of the Chicago community.
While Dr. Pinhasi loves all aspects of veterinary medicine, she is very interested in preventative medicine, nutrition, and behavior. Her appointments utilize a fear-free approach for a calming veterinary visit that minimizes stress both on the pet and pet parents.
In her spare time, Dr. Pinhasi goes on long walks with her red labrador, Rory. She loves painting, knitting, bouldering, and trying new recipes.
Dr. Lauren Jakubowski, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Rogers Park
Dr. Lauren Jakubowski grew up in the Chicago suburbs and developed a love of the city since childhood. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Biology, and then she graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. After a short time practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area, she returned to Chicago and has lived here since 2012.
Dr. Jakubowski worked relief at Oz many times over the years, and joined the Oz family full-time in 2023. She feels passionately about the wellbeing of every patient under her care. Dr. Jakubowski uses evidence-based medicine to evaluate and treat the entire patient’s medical and behavioral needs. She especially loves geriatric patients and those with complex medical conditions, working in partnership with pet parents to determine the best spectrum of care that each family can provide. Dr. Jakubowski is Fear Free Certified and has taken additional training in Low Stress Handling. She utilizes these to ensure that all aspects of your pet’s medical care are as enjoyable as possible. Her areas of interest reflect those of a true generalist: behavior medicine, dermatology, and internal medicine, with a sprinkling of nutrition.
Dr. Jakubowski lives on the north side of Chicago, where she enjoys local farmer’s markets and festivals, the amazing food scene, and toddler+parent exploration with her husband, Cyril, and son, Collin.
Dr. Samuel Smith, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Lincoln Park/Sauganash
Dr. Smith graduated in 2015 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, he was commissioned as a Captain in the US Army Veterinary Corps. For the next eight years, Dr. Smith served with distinction as a Veterinary Corps Officer, stationed in Kentucky, Japan, and Belgium. In this role, he provided vital medical care to military working dogs and pets belonging to military families.
In June 2023, Dr. Smith transitioned to civilian practice and relocated to Chicago to pursue his passion for veterinary medicine. He is thrilled to join the Oz Animal Hospital family and contribute his skills and experience to their team. Dr. Smith’s clinical interests lie in dermatology and pathology.
Outside of the clinic, he enjoys spending quality time with his spouse and their four-legged companions: Dexter and Winston (dogs) & Tanuki and Rue (cats). When he’s not caring for animals, Dr. Smith finds enjoyment in activities such as beach outings, fitness, travel, and socializing with friends.
Dr. Carly Grabner, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Lincoln Park
Dr. Carly Grabner is a new graduate excited to join the team at Oz Animal Hospital. Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dr. Grabner traveled to South Carolina to attend the College of Charleston for her undergraduate degree where she earned her bachelor’s in biology. After graduation, she moved to Mississippi for veterinary school and graduated in 2024 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Although she enjoyed her time in the South, Dr. Grabner is looking forward to being closer to home.
Dr. Grabner is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and is Fear Free certified. She loves working with cats and dogs and hopes to also work with exotics in the future. She states that her favorite part of veterinary medicine is working towards strengthening and maintaining the human-animal bond through sound medicine and proper client communication. Her clinical interests are surgery and shelter medicine.
Dr. Grabner has two furry companions of her own: her Australian Shepherd, Stella, and her cat, Karma. During her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors when the weather is nice and socializing with friends. Her hobbies include reading, swimming, baking, and taking care of her many house plants.
Dr. Sophia Ochs, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Rogers Park
Dr. Sophia Ochs graduated with a BA in Biology from Augustana College and received her Doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. While originally from central Illinois, she has been living and working in Chicago for the last three years. Dr. Ochs’ clinician interests include surgery, dentistry, preventative care and pain management. One of her favorite things about working in general practice is the relationships she develops with her patients and their owners. She believes in the importance of collaborating with owners to provide the best care options for their animals and strives to make her appointments as stress free as possible for both the pets and their people.
Outside of the clinic Dr. Ochs can be found exploring the neighborhood and parks with her dog Yahtzee, curled up on the couch with a good book and her cat Huckleberry, tending to her (arguably too many) plants, attending concerts, or eating her way through the Chicago food scene.
Dr. Maria Stogioglou, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Lincoln Park
Dr. Stogioglou recently graduated in 2023 and moved to Chicago shortly after to begin her veterinary career. At a very young age, she knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Cellular & Molecular Biology from Western Washington University. She then attended Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating with Phi Zeta honors in the top 10% of her class.
Dr. Stogioglou has special interests in internal medicine, oncology, neurology, cardiology, and pathology. However, she is passionate about all aspects of veterinary medicine and is constantly looking to learn more to provide the best care to her patients.
She fell in love with Chicago while visiting during her clinical year and decided to move here with her sweet, vocal Bengal, Circe. When not at work, she loves exploring the city, spending time with family & friends, traveling, live music, and staying active (equestrian sports, skiing, yoga, hiking, and more!).
Dr. Stogioglou is thrilled to be a part of the Oz Animal Hospital family!
Dr. Abby Wilebski, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Rogers Park/Sauganash
Dr. Wilebski graduated with a BA in biology from St. Ambrose University. She received her Doctorate from St. George’s University, and did her clinical year at the University of Illinois.
Dr. Wilebski moved to Southern California to experience a new state, but she ultimately decided to move back home to the Chicagoland area to be closer to friends and family. She has a special interest in internal medicine, dermatology, and learning new surgical procedures. Forming bonds with clients and patients is a top priority for her, as she loves to form special connections with each one of her patients. She also strives for a low stress environment.
Outside of the clinic, she enjoys walking along the lakeshores with her dog, Teddy, and cozying up with her two cats on the couch (Chester and Bean) to watch their favorite TV shows and movies. She also enjoys getting outside as much as possible, and working out as a great stress reliever.
Management Team
Paul
Co-Owner
Kyle
General Practice Manager
Ash
Operations Manager
Caiden
Practice Manager
Lincoln Park
Marissa
Practice Manager
Rogers Park