Sanchez grew up in a communist regime, being fearful of every word that came out of
her mouth, and every step that she took. This is how Isis’ life started. In the dusty rural area of
Sancti-Spiritus, Cuba, Isis lived as a child, in a family of five. Communist leaders took all property
away from the Sanchez family and did not allow either of the parents to work. Communist spies
reported back on everything that was said or done. Rationed food, clothing and poor shelter
were just a few hardships that Sanchez overcame to become who she is today. Uneducated and
living under strict rule, the Sanchez family did what it took to make it to the United States. Not
knowing one word of English, and feeling out of place, Isis took it upon herself to learn the
language and start her educational career.
“July 24, 1968 is a day that I will never forget, I was 12 years old and it was my first day
in the United States” says Sanchez. Upon coming to the United States, Sanchez soon began to
learn English in school and society. Always being looked upon, as the girl who “didn’t speak
English” or who wore “hand-me-downs” was just the beginning of the discrimination in a new
country. Despite the negative comments and the overall stress of coming to a place where she
knew nothing, Sanchez pulled through, with the support of her mother and her seventh and
eighth grade Volleyball and basketball coach. She continued her educational career and went
on to become a Veterinarian. “It is something that I have wanted to be since the day I could
speak”, states Isis. Following after her uncle who practices veterinary medicine in Havana, Cuba,
Isis received excellent grades throughout middle
school, junior high, high school, and college.
Recognized for being the valedictorian of her
high school class, it no longer seemed that
Sanchez was
Figure 1.1- Havana, Cuba
“the girl who
doesn’t speak English.” Sanchez put herself through college with scholarships, grants, and
working part time as a technician at an animal hospital. Working with animals is all Isis Sanchez
has ever done. After completing only three years of college at Utah State University and
receiving her BS (Bachelor of Science), Isis was accepted into University of Florida to complete
her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree. The completion of her doctorate degree was only
the beginning of this talented doctor’s career.
A far cry from living in Cuba, Isis Sanchez graduated from Veterinary School and went on
to become one of the best veterinary surgeons in her class. Graduating at the top of the ranks
and completing her MS (Masters of Science), Doctor Isis Sanchez, would now become a boardcertified veterinary surgeon. Long days and nights, studying, preparing for exams, and
practicing techniques is what she had dreamed of. There was never a lack of perseverance from
Dr. Sanchez, she knew what she wanted to accomplish in life and she knew how to reach that
goal. Through internships at U.C. Davis, Residency programs at Auburn University and the
support of family and friends, Isis Sanchez has now completed her board certification. Walking
into work, as the only board certified surgeon, has to feel good. “Quality work and patience is
what makes her such a great surgeon”, says Jess Anderson, DVM. Dr. Sanchez is not about the
money, or the show, she is here to perform to the best of her ability and to save a dog or cat’s
life. Surgeries that range from routine spay and neuters to complicated heart surgeries and
tissue reconstruction, she can do them all. Watching someone as talented as her get ready for a
surgery is a sight to behold.
But it is not just the surgery that makes this doctor stand out from the rest. Isis knows
how to communicate effectively and to educate the client at the same time. Isis takes a great
amount of time to consult with the owner before anything is done to the pet. Working in a vet
clinic, I know first hand how important it is for her to explain
procedures and to assure the owner that she will do a quality job.
From having very little as a child and making do with what
was in front of her, Isis Sanchez has blossomed into an amazing
person. Holding onto the values of life that mean most to her and
not getting caught up in the drama or judgment are what have
made her a better person. Starting her career as a surgeon with
nothing of her own, she now has a full equipment supply with her own instruments, cautery
machine, magnified glasses and much more. There is no cutting
corners with this doctor. Here’s an example: “How did your
surgery go Dr. Sanchez?” says, Paige Croswhite, Hospital
Administrator. “It went very well, there was a time that she
stopped breathing, but she came back to us. One false move on
my part and the patient would have been dead, but I performed
at my best and everything went very smoothly.” Says Sanchez after a Patent Ductus Arteriosus
(PDA) ligation surgery.
She has great determination and skill that is apparent to everyone that meets her.
Confident in her field, Dr. Sanchez shares her expertise with other
doctors and clients. Working at famous places around the world,
such as Animal Medical Center in NYC and operating on famous
peoples pets such as Henry Kissinger, and having him threaten to
kill her and her family if anything went wrong, is just a sampling of
what Dr. Sanchez has experienced. It has been a world of
Figure 2.1- Doberman attacked by
cougar, Pre-operation
adventure, with complicated surgeries and
interesting experiences at many of the
clinics where she has worked at. Knowing
Dr. Sanchez and working with her has been a
wonderful experience.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from eight to five, I have the chance to talk to Dr.
Sanchez and learn something new. With her special interests in plastics and reconstruction,
cardiovascular surgery and wound healing, there are always interesting stories and facts to learn
from her. Dr. Sanchez treated a Doberman who was attacked by a cougar. She reconstructed all
the skin on his back. Without her capabilities, this dog would not have survived. From the
minute she walks through the back door to get started to the minute she leaves work, she has a
smile on her face. But the moment that I enjoy most about having her at Cottonwood Animal
Hospital is the opportunity to watch her surgeries first hand.
Dr. Sanchez starts every surgery the
same, setting up her personal equipment in the
surgery suite. Over to the sink it is, for a good
wash down before becoming sterile. Once in the
operating room, you can see the joyful expression
under her mask and the intense concentration
that it requires to perform these procedures.
This is where she is at home, standing alongside
Figure 2.2- Dog attacked by cougar, Post-Op
the operating table with her instruments in hand, and an audience watching her work. It is
fascinating to watch her operate. The way she holds her tools is different from general surgeons,
the pace at which she sutures is faster than most surgeons, and the way that she treats and
educates her technicians is more caring than your average doctor. There is never a dull moment
on Dr. Sanchez’s cases. It is quality medicine displayed at its finest, that lasts a lifetime in the
pet’s life and their families lives as well. She inspires and encourages others to take the
initiative and always has a positive outlook on her life and those co-workers and friends around
her. Dr. Sanchez could be the doctor that makes clients the happiest, she sees the pets in the
worst of conditions, and returns them fixed and healed. It is what goes on behind scenes that
the average Joe just doesn’t get to see. It is the fact that as a co-worker of Isis’, we get to
experience first hand what others always just see as wounds or sutures. After completion of a
surgery, I tell the wonderful surgeon, “You are amazing Dr. Sanchez, I could only be so lucky as
to be like you someday.” Dr. Sanchez provides the reassurance and courage that people need to
pursue a career. She is a picture perfect example of what can be accomplished with strength
and hard work, and that you do not need to live in a rich family to be successful in life.
Many would be hard pressed to find
someone that has inspired more
people in a shorter time than Isis
Sanchez. From the eleven different
Figure 3.1- Dr. Sanchez
performing a thoracic cavity
surgery in a dog.
facilities she has worked at, she has touched the lives of everyone that she works with and the
clients that she serves. She is always willing to help and take the lead. Dr. Sanchez has a great
amount of knowledge that is tested daily and is shared with many.
The thing that makes her a more respectable doctor and person”, says Paige Croswhite,
“Is the fact that she is a Diplomate of The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Thus giving her a better emphasis on research and truly providing state-of-the-art
animal care. Also, she is able to just focus on surgery, therefore allowing for a different
workload. I truly believe that it is hard to find a veterinarian that communicates as well
as Dr. Sanchez and who has such strict expectations for breed standards, general
practitioners and the hospitals overall care for animals.
Doctor Debbie Cartisano also tells us that, “She doesn’t look at the pets as patients, she is much
more empathetic. Dr. Sanchez looks at the pets like owner’s children, and is very connected to
each of her cases.” This is what makes Dr. Isis Sanchez, DVM, MS, DACVS, one veterinarian that
is not just like every other.
Works Cited:
Personal Interview with Dr. Deborah Cartisano, DVM. February 26, 2009
Personal Interview with Dr. Jess Anderson, DVM. February 26, 2009
Personal Interview with Dr. Paige Croswhite. February 26, 2009
Personal Interview with Dr. Isis Sanchez. February 26, 2009
<www.acvs.org> February 24, 2009
<www.amcny.org> February 20, 2009