Aspire Veterinary Center

Call: (657) 722-4111

La Palma, CA

Open Now Until 6:00 PM

Open now . Closes at 6:00 PM

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About Us

Leading the Way in Veterinary Excellence

At Aspire Veterinary Center, we are committed to providing exceptional veterinary care with compassion, expertise, and state-of-the-art technology. As a family owned, full-service veterinary hospital, we uphold the highest standards in pet healthcare, ensuring every patient receives precise, up-to-date treatments tailored to their needs.

CALL (657) 722-4111

Our expert veterinary team is extensively trained to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of medical conditions with urgency and care. From urgent and emergency services to advanced surgical procedures, anesthetic dental care, imaging, and in-house laboratory diagnostics, we offer comprehensive veterinary services under one roof.

At Aspire Veterinary Center, we believe every pet deserves top-quality, compassionate care in a welcoming and modern environment. We go above and beyond industry standards to ensure your pet’s health and well-being. Whether your pet needs routine care or advanced medical treatment, we are here to provide trusted, expert care in La Palma, CA.

Our Team & Veterinarian

We work hard to hire, train, and develop the best team to care for your pets.

Aspire Vet Center

Kellie Lam

Founder Aspire Veterinary Center
For Dr. Kellie Lam, veterinary medicine is about more than knowledge—it is about connection. Her journey began with the rescue of a baby bird named Gomez, sparking a dedication to healing that led her to found Aspire Veterinary Center.
Guided by the belief that trust should go both ways, Dr. Lam champions an open-concept, collaborative approach to medicine. From getting down on the floor with anxious pets to coordinating with top specialists, she ensures every animal receives custom, compassionate care.
When she isn’t treating patients or working toward her dream of aiding homeless pets, Dr. Lam loves to travel, read, and snowboard. Most often, you can find her seeking out new adventures alongside her beloved clinic mascot, Avie.
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Dr. Oanh Nguyen

Veterinarian
Dr. Oanh Nguyen is the epitome of compassionate care. Known for her gentle touch and ever-present smile, she has a unique ability to put both pets and their owners at ease. But behind that kindness is an astute and highly intelligent clinician who is deeply committed to the science of veterinary medicine. Dr. Nguyen is meticulous in her approach, often double-checking every detail to ensure safety and precision, especially with complex cases. She blends the best of both worlds: a thoughtful, tender heart and a sharp, up-to-date medical mind.
Derek Mori Operations Director

Derek Mori

Operations Director , The Auteur
It’s rare to find a manager who can enforce strict medical safety protocols and creatively solve any logistical challenge, but Derek is that exception. Formerly a Director at Amgen working in drug safety, Derek ensures our facility operates at the highest standard. He leverages his second career as a professional filmmaker not just for visuals, but to creatively engineer better workflows and hospital design. He is our ultimate problem-solver, blending operational expertise with an artistic eye. In his spare time, Derek continues to be creative through writing and enjoys life with his four cats.
About Aspire Vet Center

Marie Madrid

The Welcome Warrior
Whether she is juggling phone lines or checking in patients, Marie meets every client’s need with efficiency and grace. She loves people but she really loves animals, which explains why she rushes home every day to hang out with her 7 pets. She’s an expert at managing a crowd, whether it’s a busy waiting room or her own living room.
About Aspire Vet Center

Yvette Ramos, RVT

Catheter Ninja, Venipuncture Virtuoso
Yvette brings a decade of veterinary experience to the team, but her true claim to fame is hitting the tiniest veins on the wiggliest patients on the first try. She’s basically a mosquito, but helpful. When she hangs up her stethoscope for the day, Yvette loves relaxing and recharging with her family.
About Aspire Vet Center

Miriam Rivera

The Pre-Vet Powerhouse
Need a patient comforted? A room prepped? A mountain climbed? Miriam is on it. Friendly, fast, and fearless, she brings 7 years of experience and a “can-do” attitude to every appointment. She is working hard to become a veterinarian, but when she isn’t saving lives or studying, she is traveling the world, camping, or wrangling her own zoo of 4 pets at home.
Azalea Avalos, Veterinary Assistant

Azalea Avalos

Veterinary Assistant
The Mobility Maven

Azalea has two main goals in life: keeping our patients moving and finding the best fine dining in town. As our resident rehab wizard, she helps pets regain their strength and mobility with a smile (and usually a treat). She is also the “Keeper of the Whiteboard,” ensuring no patient goes unnamed. She works incredibly hard, mostly to fund her love for travel, luxury meals, and the lavish lifestyle of her own Frenchie, Dexter.

Jazmine Roque

Jazmine Roque

Pre-Vet Student, Future Star
As a true Capricorn, Jazmine is disciplined, grounded, and incredibly hardworking. Currently finishing her last semester at Cal Poly Pomona, she approaches veterinary medicine with a seriousness that sets her apart. She is a favorite among our rehabilitation staff for her ability to follow strict protocols to the letter, requiring zero supervision to get the job done right. Her precision and thoughtful questions prove she is well on her way to becoming a fantastic veterinarian.
Caitlin cha

Caitlin Cha

Pre-Vet Student, The alchemist
Caitlin combines high-level academic knowledge with a natural gift for animal care. A graduate of Cal Poly Pomona with a Master’s Degree in Toxicology from Colorado State, she joined our team to gain clinical experience before heading to veterinary school. She has quickly become a favorite in our rehabilitation department, where her patience and dedication make a visible difference in our patients’ recovery.
Whether she is drawing on her past experience as an Animal Specialist or simply offering an extra hand to a busy technician, Caitlin approaches every task with positivity and precision. She is dedicated, reliable, and deeply compassionate—qualities that will undoubtedly make her an exceptional veterinarian in the future.
Aspire Vet Center

Avie

Clinic Mascot, The Chief of Security
Avie is proof that big personalities come in small packages. Small but mighty (and occasionally yappy), she takes her job as our door announcer very seriously, ensuring no visitor goes unnoticed. Whether she is sounding the alarm or offering a tail wag, she likes to know exactly who is coming and going. Off the clock, however, Avie trades her security badge for adventure. A true nature lover, she is happiest running wild on the beach, splashing in the water, or bounding through deep snow. She is an all-terrain Yorkie with a love for long walks and even longer naps.
Caitlin Cha

Caitlin Cha

OUR SPECIALISTS

Dr. Margaret Smith

DAVDC - (Dentist)

Dr. Danielle Yuhas

DACVIM (Cardiology)

Dr. Zachary Smith

DAVCS (Surgeon)

Dr. Caroline Page

DACVIM (Internal Medicine)

Let’s Write Your Pet’s Story Together

Now that you know who we are, we’d love to get to know you. Whether you have a new puppy, a senior pet needing extra support, or a complex medical case requiring a fresh perspective, we are ready to listen.
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Aspire Vet Center
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