Dr. Grozdanic obtained his veterinary degree from the University of Belgrade, Serbia in 1998. Following his basic veterinary education, he obtained his doctor of science degree (PhD) in the field of neuroscience (2002) and finished his clinical veterinary ophthalmology residency in 2007 at the Iowa State University (ISU). Dr. Grozdanic was an assistant professor and staff ophthalmologist with the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at ISU (2007-2011).
Dr. Grozdanic published 27 manuscripts and one book chapter in the field of glaucoma, neuroprotection, autoimmune retinal disease, ocular imaging and stem cell therapy for blinding ocular diseases. He also gave more than 50 national and international presentations on advanced diagnostic and treatment modalities for different eye diseases.
Dr. Grozdanic also has the distinguished honor of being the first veterinary ophthalmologist in North America to perform artificial corneal transplants in a veterinary patient and he has developed numerous novel diagnostic and treatment routines for different canine, feline and equine ocular diseases. He is actively consulting for US Department of Defense and Secret Service canine units, and he also provided free consulting to more than 80 veterinary ophthalmologists from 6 different continents on more than 300 complex veterinary ophthalmology clinical cases.
Dr. Grozdanic performs all complex extraocular (eyelid and corneal surgeries) and intraocular (cataract, glaucoma and vitreo-retinal surgeries) procedures. His special interests include early diagnostic modalities for glaucoma and retinal diseases, advanced medical and surgical procedures for treatment of glaucoma, endoscopic ocular and orbital surgeries, laser therapy for different ocular diseases, special therapies for autoimmune retinal diseases, and stem cell based therapies for blinding ocular diseases.
Nikki is a registered veterinary technician who graduated from Kirkwood Community College's veterinary technician program in May of 2012. She has worked with Animal Eye consultants of Iowa since we opened in 2015 as the technician supervisor. She worked with the emergency and critical care team at Blue Pearl for three years after graduating and has done ER relief work since 2015. Nikki has a strong passion for animals and enjoys her work very much. Her interests are in biology and clinical pathology. She has four cats at home named Gigi, Fidget, Bandit, and Smokey. She enjoys spending her time with them as she sews and does other art projects. She is semi-fluent in Japanese.
Sarah is a registered veterinary technician who joined our team in the fall of 2022. She graduated from Kirkwood Community College’s veterinary assistant program in 2010 and returned to the college to pursue a degree as a veterinary technician in 2019. Sarah worked in the veterinary field at a local, general practice, hospital for 12 years prior to joining our team. She loves working with her patients and being able to help them live happy, healthy lives. Sarah lives with her husband, Kevin, and her two little boys, Maxwell and Logan. They have a husky mix named Whiskey and two cats, Dexter and Artie. She loves spending time with her kids and crafting. Sarah and her husband enjoy attending Broadway musicals and Green Bay Packers football games.
Maggie joined our team in 2021 and is preparing to take the VTNE to become a licensed veterinary technician. She worked in emergency and critical care for 3 years prior to ophthalmology. Maggie has been previously “Human Animal Bond Certified” and “Low Stress Handling” certified. Maggie lived in New York for 4 years where she worked with many exotics, animal shelters, and rabbit rescues. She is very interested in conservation and wildlife. She enjoys reading, singing, playing video games, and listening to music. When she’s not working, she can be found at home cuddling her fur babies. Maggie is also currently learning American Sign Language.
Marisa graduated in 2018 from Coe College with a Bachelor’s in Biology. She has been with Animal Eye Consultants since March of 2022. Before joining the specialty field, she spent 3 years in the emergency field at the Emergency Veterinary Service of Iowa City. Marisa is dedicated to the health and happiness of every pet she meets. At home she has a dog named Eevee, two cats, Panda and Puddin, and one Solomon Island Eclectus named Meliodas. She hopes to one day achieve her dream of becoming a veterinarian herself.
Receptionist
Lindsey has worked as the receptionist at Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa Since July 2021. Before that she worked as a customer relation specialist for 5 years. Lindsey has been involved with animal rescues for 7 years. She has fostered over 50 animals over the years and has a weakness for medical fosters. Lindsey shares a home with her husband of 20 years, her 2 wonderful teenagers, 5 pups, and 1 kitten. Her house is loud, covered in fur, and full of love.
