Pet Paradise names new chief veterinary officer

Pet Paradise has appointed Lauren Pastewka, DVM, as chief veterinary officer (CVO) of NewDay Veterinary Care. Prior to being promoted to this position, Pastewka was Pet Paradise’s Florida regional veterinary medical director and served as interim CVO.

Dr Lauren Pastewka, new Pet Paradise CVO (Photo courtesy of Pet Paradise).

“As NewDay Veterinary Care continues to expand within Pet Paradise resorts across the country, Dr. Pastewka will help us continue to lead by maintaining the highest standards of veterinary care for our clients and patients,” stated Fernando Acosta-Rua, Pet Paradise president and CEO, in a company release.¹ “Dr. Pastewka will continue to play an integral role in our evolution so we can best meet the needs of pet parents in our all-inclusive environment.”

In her new role, Pastewka is responsible for creating and implementing the growth strategy for NewDay Veterinary Care and developing and managing the veterinary team throughout the US. She also will find innovative and emerging technology and clinical programs to promote high-quality customer care and overall healthcare management. Meanwhile, she must ensure all NewDay teams remain in line with Pet Paradise’s core values of Passion, Innovation and Community while spearheading recruitment efforts and overall performance.

“It is an honor to lead NewDay Veterinary Care as we continue on an exciting growth path to bring premium comprehensive pet health care to more pets and pet parents,” Pastewka expressed, in the release. “I am looking forward to leading our incredible group of veterinarians and care teams as a mentor and medical advisor.”¹

Currently, NewDay Veterinary Care has 30 clinics located in Pet Paradise resorts throughout Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.¹ More locations are planned to open soon.

Before being a part of the Pet Paradise team, Pastewka served as area medical director and associate veterinarian at Dunnellon Animal Hospital and Paddock Park Animal Care Center, and associate veterinarian at VCA Companion Animal Hospital. She achieved a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences and Microbiology from Colorado State University.

What’s more, Pet Paradise’s Clay Hellner, DVM, has been promoted to senior regional veterinary medical director, and will work in tandem with Pastewka, further leading NewDay Veterinary Care clinics outside of Florida.

Reference

Pet Paradise appoints new chief veterinary officer to lead growth and future of NewDay Veterinary Care. News release. Pet Paradise. November 21, 2022. Accessed November 21, 2022.