Doctors & Staff

Siniša D. Grozdanić, DVM, PhD, is a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, neuroscientist, surgeon, and translational vision researcher. He earned his veterinary degree from the University of Belgrade and his Ph.D. in neuroscience and ophthalmology residency training at Iowa State University, where he later served as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology. He is the founder of Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa and Medical Director of Oculus Specialty Veterinary Hospital in Belgrade, Serbia. Dr. Grozdanić specializes in complex cataract, corneal, glaucoma, orbital, endoscopic, laser, and vitreoretinal surgery. He was the first veterinary ophthalmologist in North America to perform artificial corneal transplantation in veterinary patients and has consulted on canine ophthalmic cases associated with U.S. Department of Defense and Secret Service units. His research focuses on SARDS and autoimmune retinal disease, glaucoma, retinal and optic-nerve neuroprotection, stem-cell and neurotrophic-factor therapies, advanced ocular diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance, retinal surgery, orbital surgery, and artificial intelligence. He has authored or co-authored more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications, co-edited the Small Animal Veterinary Ophthalmology Atlas, delivered more than 80 national and international lectures and scientific presentations, and provided consultation on more than 600 complex canine ophthalmology cases worldwide.

Tatjana Lazić, DVM, MS, PhD, is the principal ophthalmic pathologist for Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa. She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Belgrade in 2000, a master’s degree in veterinary anesthesiology in 2002, and a PhD in veterinary pathology in 2009, the same year she completed her veterinary anatomic pathology residency at Iowa State University (ISU). She went on to serve as a research assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at ISU (2009–2011) and as a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs research scientist (2009–2012), acting as principal investigator on several large federally funded studies of the mechanisms of brain and ocular disease. Dr. Lazić has authored or co-authored 16 peer-reviewed publications in veterinary pathology, with a focus on ocular, brain, and respiratory pathology, and lectures nationally and internationally on pathology topics and continuing-education courses for veterinary pathologists. She now serves as a general veterinary pathology consultant for diagnostic laboratories in Europe, Asia, and the United States, with particular focus on the eye, brain, spinal cord, and neoplastic disease, and works alongside Dr. Grozdanić to provide a dual-opinion ophthalmic pathology service in which every specimen is comprehensively evaluated by both a pathologist and a board-certified ophthalmologist.

Nikki is a registered veterinary technician who graduated from the Kirkwood Community College veterinary technician program in May 2012. She has been part of the Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa team since the clinic opened in 2015, serving as technician supervisor. Before that, she spent three years with the emergency and critical care team at Blue Pearl and has continued ER relief work since 2015. Her professional interests include biology and clinical pathology. At home she has two daughters and two cats, Fidget and Bandit. She is semi-fluent in Japanese and enjoys sewing and other art projects in her free time.

Sarah is a registered veterinary technician who joined the team in fall 2022. She graduated from the Kirkwood Community College veterinary assistant program in 2010 and returned to the college to earn her veterinary technician degree in 2019. She worked in general practice for twelve years before joining Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa and loves helping her patients live happy, healthy lives. Sarah lives with her husband, Kevin, and their two sons, Maxwell and Logan, along with a husky mix named Whiskey and cats Dexter and Artie. She enjoys spending time with her kids and crafting.

Marisa earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Coe College in 2018 and has been with Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa since March 2022. Before joining the specialty field, she spent three years in emergency medicine at the Emergency Veterinary Service of Iowa City. Marisa is dedicated to the health and happiness of every pet she meets and hopes to one day become a veterinarian herself. At home she has a dog named Eevee, two cats, Panda and Puddin, and a Solomon Island Eclectus parrot named Meliodas.

Jarred is the lab manager, histopathology technician, microbiologist, and receptionist at Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa. Previously, Jarred worked as a supervisor at Biolife Plasma Services and as a store clerk (and later a dive instructor) with Diventures in North Liberty, Iowa. Having graduated with his bachelor's degree in Biology from Mount Mercy University, Jarred is currently working on obtaining his master's degree in Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases from the University of Edinburgh. Outside of work, Jarred enjoys spending time with his wife of eight years and four cats. He enjoys spending his free time hiking, finding new places to scuba dive, and just spending time out in nature. Jarred is a true cat lover, and if he finds himself with some spare time, you can bet you'll find him spending it with any cat patients that are visiting the clinic (especially the spicy ones).

Holly joined the team in June 2024 as receptionist and assistant administrator, bringing more than thirty years of experience in veterinary care. Her passion for animals began at age fifteen, working as a kennel attendant in her hometown in Florida. After moving to Iowa in 1997, she studied Horse Science at Kirkwood Community College from 1999 to 2001. From 1999 until it closed in October 2023, Holly worked at a local veterinary clinic as assistant office manager, receptionist, and veterinary assistant, and also spent four years as a paraeducator at her son’s school. Holly and her husband, Craig, have one son, Oweyn, along with two Labrador Retrievers, Millee and Maggee, and a betta fish named Wally. She enjoys camping, horseback riding, crafting, fishing, and cheering on Oweyn at his school and sporting events.

Kimberly joined Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa as a veterinary assistant in March 2026. She graduated from Hawkeye Community College in 2022 as a Certified Veterinary Assistant and plans to continue her education by pursuing veterinary technician school. Kimberly has always enjoyed working with animals and finds it especially rewarding to make a difference in the lives of both patients and their families, and she enjoys learning about veterinary ophthalmology as she builds her knowledge and skills in specialty medicine. One of her favorite parts of veterinary medicine is seeing a patient improve and knowing that the care and support provided can make such a meaningful difference in an animal’s comfort and quality of life. She also enjoys building relationships with clients and helping them feel comfortable and supported throughout their pet’s treatment. Outside of work, Kimberly loves spending time with her family, friends, and four pets: her dogs, Daisy, an 11-year-old Yellow Labrador Retriever, and Zola, a 3-year-old Chocolate Labrador Retriever, along with her cats, Cactus, a 4-year-old Domestic Shorthair, and Moo, a 1-year-old Domestic Shorthair. Kimberly enjoys spending time outdoors, especially hunting, and has a creative side that she expresses through photography, crocheting, and scrapbooking. She also has a unique hobby of collecting spoons, with each one having its own story or memory behind it. Kimberly enjoys having a balance between her career and her hobbies and is always looking for opportunities to learn, be creative, and spend time with the people and animals she loves.