Dr. Lisa Wood
Dr. Lisa Wood grew up in Kamuela, and attended High School at Hawaii Preparatory Academy. During high school, Dr. Wood rode horses with Morgan Brown at A Lazy B Ranch and discovered her desire to work with horses as a career. After high school, Dr. Wood went on to obtain her Bachelor’s of Science in Animal Science at Colorado State University, then her Veterinary degree from Washington State University, graduating with Dr. Jim Gressard in 1990. Upon graduation, Dr. Wood moved back to the Big Island and began working with Veterinary Associates, and has been an integral part of the clinic since.
Dr. Wood regularly sees patients large and small in our Waimea office, and travels to Hilo once weekly for outcall appointments. She enjoys all aspects of her practice, but has always had a fondness for her equine patients, especially focusing on reproduction and neonatal medicine.
Dr. Jim Gressard
Dr. Gressard attended Washington State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. He went on to attend Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1990. He found Hawaii while traveling to Australia upon graduation from veterinary school, and returned to the Big Island to work at Veterinary Associates in the fall of 1990. Dr. Gressard loves practicing here in Waimea and the Big Island, because it provides a great opportunity to work with so many different types of animals and owners. He has a vast knowledge of the many different aspects of veterinary medicine, with a special interest in surgery– especially orthopedics. In Dr. Gressard’s spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, enjoying everything that Hawaii has to offer.
Dr. Elizabeth Hamilton
Dr. Elizabeth Hamilton grew up in Hilo and Hakalau and graduated from Hilo High School as valedictorian in 2001. She then attended Colorado State University for undergraduate studies in Animal Sciences and went on to study veterinary medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University, tracking in large animal studies. Upon graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Hamilton completed an internship in Livestock Medicine and Surgery at Colorado State University honing her skills in the care of cattle, sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas. Dr. Hamilton moved back to Hawaii in 2010, and began working as an associate veterinarian at Veterinary Associates, Inc. and has been providing care for large and small animal patients including farm calls to the Kona/Ka’u side of the Big Island. In her spare time, Dr. Hamilton enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, riding her horses, and attending to her dogs, cats, and goats.
Dr. Blaine Ishizu
Dr. Ishizu grew up on Oahu and attended UH Manoa before traveling to Colorado State University for his veterinary degree. Dr. Ishizu is a mixed animal veterinarian with a special interest in equine medicine.
Dr. Tim Richards
Tim Richards was born on the Big Island of Hawaii in North Kohala. He attended high school in Kamuela, and graduated from Hawaii Preparatory Academy in 1977. Tim attended college at Washington State University in Pullman Washington studying Animal Science. Summers found him back in Hawaii working on his family’s Kahua Ranch. He received his BS in 1981 and went on to study veterinary medicine and finish his doctorate in 1984.
Willie-Joe
Willie-Joe grew up in Paauilo and graduated from Honokaa high school. He went on to attended the Bel Rea Institute in Denver, Colorado to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Willie-Joe began working for Veterinary Associates in 1993, and is our head technician: providing a wealth of knowledge, technique, and care in all areas of the hospital. In his free time, Willie-Joe enjoys hunting with his dogs, leather-working, singing, and construction projects.
Theone
Theone grew up in Keaukaha and went to school at Hilo High School. She then went on to study accounting at Hawaii Community College in Hilo. She began working with a veterinary service in Hilo, then moved up to Waimea in July of 1999 to become the accounts manager at Veterinary Associates, Inc. Theone provides a vast knowledge of the hospitals policies, services, and operations. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoors activities, especially working with her bird dogs.
Chelsea P.
Chelsea grew up in Honokaa and attended Honokaa High School. She began volunteering with Veterinary Associates, Inc. while in high school, and then continued her education at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture, Animal Science. Chelsea traveled to New Zealand to further her education in the veterinary field, and returned to Veterinary Associates in 2009 and provides exemplary service in many facets of the hospital. When not working, Chelsea enjoys fishing and swimming.
Corrina
Corrina grew up in Waimea, and attended Hawaii Preparatory Academy. She continued her education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, earning a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology. Corrina began working at Veterinary Associates in 2012 and provides her extraordinary care in all aspects of the hospital from small animal to large. In her off time, Corrina enjoys hiking with her dogs, riding horses, or fishing.
Ivory
Ivory grew up on Moloka’i and moved to the Hilo side of the Big Island during high school. Ivory began working at Veterinary Associates in 2014, and has been an enthusiastic addition to our staff with her passion for animal health and well being. When not working, Ivory enjoys relaxing at the beach with her family.
Kaiu
Kaiu grew up in Waimea and graduated from Honokaa High School. She has always wanted to work in the animal field, and enjoys helping animals with their health through the veterinary field. She enjoys working with a variety of small and large animals. On her off time she enjoys being outdoors and having family time.
Ola
Tati
Reina
Shaela
Maya