Our Team
It Takes a Team
Caring for our patients is a team effort. FWH relies on individuals who dedicate their time and energy to the well-being of our animals and our facility. Our hospital consists of over 20 staff and almost 200 volunteers! Meet our Administrative Staff who help keep business running smoothly:
Tracy Frampton
Executive Director
Tracy has a BA from Miami University and has enjoyed a long career in the animal field in various capacities, from zookeeper, to animal registrar to conservation coordinator and even agility instructor. Her career allowed her to participate in field work in Cameroon, Venezuela, Costa Rica and Belize. She has been at Florida Wildlife Hospital for 9 years and has loved watching it grow. In her spare time (what’s that?), she loves to get out in nature, play pickleball, or spend time with family.
Amanda Aitken
Rehabilitation Manager
Amanda Aitken is a dedicated Rehabilitation Manager with over a decade of experience in the wildlife rehabilitation industry. Starting her career as an intern, Amanda demonstrated exceptional dedication and a passion for animal care, quickly advancing through various roles within the organization. Amanda holds a BS in Biology from the University of Central Florida and she shadowed the hospital’s previous licensed wildlife rehabilitator, gaining her hands-on experience and allowing her to develop and implement effective rehabilitation programs tailored to the unique needs of each species. She is also a member of the Florida Wildlife Rehabilitators Association where she participates in workshops and conferences to stay current with the latest developments in rehabilitation science and management. In her free time, she loves to spoil her dog Archie and spend time with her niece.
Kat LaPenna, PhD
Operations Manager
Hi, I’m Kat the Kiwi! I grew up in New Zealand and developed an early interest in conservation and historical human-animal relations. My fascination with history and the natural world led me to pursue a career in research, and in 2024 I completed my PhD on ancient Roman hunting spectacles. I have over 5 years of volunteering experience at zoos across NZ and Europe and I enjoy sharing my research on captive wildlife at zoos and universities across the country. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, painting, and traveling to remote places in the world.
Marissa Gordian
Outreach Coordinator
Marissa was raised surrounded by animals, quickly gaining a respect and admiration for wildlife. In her schooling years, she attended Santa Fe College’s Zoo Animal Technology program, which allowed her to gain hands-on experience with all phylums and dive into the animal care world. Having spent a few years as a zookeeper for AZA facilities, she understands the intricacies of animal care and is driven by the potential for improvement. Working as our Animal Care Lead Technician, she oversaw our Nursery department and fostered growth within our staff, volunteers, and interns. Now as our Outreach Coordinator, she plans to broaden the horizons of our education and strives to always raise the standard for animal welfare. In her off time, she finds herself pet sitting, going to every farmers market, and learning what she can do to promote community for those around her.
Dr. April Geer, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Geer grew up in Florida and always knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. When she was a teenager, her family moved to Ohio where she attended high school and then attended college at The Ohio State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology in 1994 and her DVM degree in 1998. For over 20 years she worked in and owned multiple companion animal hospitals in Ohio and then Florida after moving back in 2006. She loved helping people and their beloved pets but also longed to help the various species of wildlife she had grown up with. After selling her housecall practice in Kissimmee and moving to Brevard, she began helping out at FWH in 2021. She became FWH’s first staff veterinarian in 2023, and since the beginning of 2024 has been working for us full time and leading our growing medical staff. She loves the variety of species she’s able to return to health so they can be returned to the wild. When not helping animals here, she also volunteers when she can with FWC and similar organizations to work with stranded marine animals such as manatees, dolphins and the occasional spotted eagle ray!
Elisa McGuire
Grant Writer
Elisa McGuire is a native Californian who loves exploring the backroads and undeveloped areas of her adopted state of Florida. She has worked in nonprofits for over 40 years and has been a grant writer for 25 years. Elisa attended Rancho Santiago College, graduated from the Grantsmanship Center of Los Angeles Program in 2001, and completed the St. Joseph Health System’s Fundraising Certificate Program in 2003.
Elisa comes from a long line of ranchers and was raised with a deep appreciation and respect for wild places and wild creatures. As a child, she and her father hiked on the John Muir Trail and explored the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Her fascination of wildlife began in 1969 when she spotted her first California Condor from a remote fire lookout tower. Elisa is a yoga teacher (500-RYT) and loves spending time with her three dogs and her family. She considers it a great honor and a joy to work for FWH, where she joined the team in January of 2023.
(321) 254-8843 | 4560 N. US Hwy 1, Palm Shores, FL 32935
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