Meet Our Veterinary Team
Our team at Panova Animal Hospital brings together clinical expertise, genuine compassion, and a shared commitment to integrity, accountability, and personalized care for every patient we see.
Meet the Panova Animal Hospital Team
Meet Our Veterinarians
Dr. Roman Pan, DVM
Owner & Veterinarian
Dr. Roman Pan is the owner and veterinarian at Panova Animal Hospital. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences in 2018, graduating with honors before completing an intensive rotating internship in small animal medicine, surgery, and emergency care. His training provided a strong foundation in managing both routine and complex medical cases, and he continues to pursue the latest advances in veterinary medicine through ongoing education.
Dr. Pan has a special interest in internal medicine and dentistry and enjoys the diagnostic challenge of uncovering the underlying cause of illness. Whether treating a chronic medical condition, relieving dental pain, performing surgery, or helping pets stay healthy through preventive care, his goal is always the same: to provide thoughtful, evidence-based medicine tailored to each patient and family.
From an early age, Dr. Pan was fascinated by animals and loved solving puzzles. As he discovered veterinary medicine, those two passions naturally came together. Through years of shadowing veterinarians and working in animal hospitals, he realized he wanted to become the neighborhood veterinarian—a trusted doctor who cares for pets throughout every stage of life while building lasting relationships with the families who love them.
Dr. Pan believes that great veterinary care begins with integrity, compassion, and humility. He views every medical decision as a partnership between the veterinary team and the pet owner, where open communication and shared decision-making lead to the best possible outcomes. He also believes that learning never stops and is committed to continually refining his knowledge and skills so he can bring the most current medical recommendations to every patient while never losing sight of the personalized care each family deserves.
Outside the hospital, Dr. Pan enjoys spending time with his family, exploring new restaurants, and gaming. He feels privileged to serve the Fountain Valley community and looks forward to caring for your pets as they grow, age, and become lifelong members of your family.
Administrative Team
Norma
Clinical & Business Operations Manager
Raised in Fullerton, California, Norma’s journey into veterinary medicine began while working at a grooming shop, where she realized her passion lay in animal healthcare rather than grooming. She has been in the veterinary field since 2018 and has been attending Mount San Antonio College to pursue her RVT degree. Her clinical areas of interest include internal medicine, neurology, and ophthalmology. As a manager, her favorite part of the job is caring for clients, reassuring returning families, ensuring top-tier quality of care, and collaborating closely with her team.
At Home & Outside the Clinic
At home, Norma is a proud cat mom to Baker and Landry—a calico and a tortoiseshell who are total cuddle bugs. Outside of work, her favorite ways to recharge include:
Hobbies: Attending concerts, shopping, and skiing.
Favorite Travel Spots: Steamboat, Colorado, and Corona Del Mar Beach.
Favorite Films: The Harry Potter series.
Fun Fact: She has a photographic memory.
Our Supportive Veterinary Team
Leslie
Registered Veterinary Technician
Leslie joined our team in 2025, bringing an incredible 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine to our practice. Born and raised right here in Costa Mesa, she earned her degree from Stanbridge University and has been dedicated to providing every patient with the highest level of quality care and compassion. She has strong clinical interests in surgery and dermatology, though her favorite parts of the daily routine will always be wagging tails, sweet puppy smells, and collaborating with a fun, supportive team.
At home, Leslie is owned by Shadow, a 10-year-old Lab mix who lives for beach trips, swimming, and devouring any unattended food within reach. When she’s not at the clinic, you’ll find Leslie working out at the gym, hiking outdoors, traveling internationally, or enjoying a well-deserved day of bed rot.
Fun Facts & Favorites:
Adrenaline Rush: She once hiked an active volcano in Guatemala!
Favorite Destination: Mexico City is her top travel spot for food, culture, and exploring.
Movie Genre: Horror movies all the way.
Astrid
Veterinary Assistant
Astrid joined our team in 2023, bringing four years of hands-on experience in animal care. Raised in Garden Grove, her path into veterinary medicine started when she was looking for a job and wanted to work with animals—and she quickly fell in love with the field. Astrid has a strong passion for surgery, and her favorite part of the job is helping sick pets feel better while educating owners on how to best care for their furry family members.
At home, Astrid shares her life with two unique cats: Hershey, an 8-year-old Domestic Shorthair who loves naps and strongly prefers to keep to himself, and Brixie, a 4-year-old orange female tabby with a surprising taste for Hot Cheetos and human snacks. Outside the clinic, you’ll find Astrid training for marathons, hitting the gym, or catching live music at concerts.
Fun Facts & Favorite Things:
Party Trick: She can land a full backflip!
Active Life: Currently training for distance marathons.
Clinic Specialty: Assisting in surgical procedures and client education.
Kristopher
Born and raised between downtown LA and Covina, Kris’s passion for animal care started early—he knew he wanted to work in veterinary medicine ever since elementary school. He completed three years of study at Mount San Antonio College and has been working in the field for four years. Kris has a specialized clinical interest in parasitology and cytology, finding the microscopic side of medicine fascinating. Driven by a deep love for animals—including the cherished memory of his beloved cat, Pearl, and dog, Pepper—Kris considers himself fortunate to work in a field where most days, the job doesn’t even feel like work.
Outside the Clinic
When he’s off the clock, Kris stays busy with a mix of unique hobbies and interests:
Gaming: Actively competes in the Fighting Game Community (FGC).
Local Hangouts: Enjoys grabbing a drink and relaxing at The Chatterbox Cocktail Lounge.
Favorite Films: V for Vendetta and Hercules.
Fun Facts: He is a licensed clown, an ordained minister, and can actually breathe fire.
Ashley
Veterinary Client Service Representative (CSR)
Raised in Garden Grove, Ashley joined the veterinary field in 2023 out of a deep love for animals and a desire to provide compassionate support to pet owners. Her favorite part of the job is connecting with clients, hearing the unique backstory of every pet, and seeing all the patients who walk through the doors. She is a proud pet parent to Sherlyn, her 12-year-old female husky, who is the sweetest, most talkative childhood best friend.
Outside the Clinic
When she isn’t supporting clients at the front desk, Ashley enjoys staying active and getting outdoors:
Hobbies: Exploring local coffee shops, hitting the gym, spending days at the beach, shopping, and attending music festivals. Ashley has a strong passion for surgical care and is eager to continuously expand her knowledge in the field.
Favorite Foods: Pasta and chicken.
Our Approach to Veterinary Care
Every person on our team shares the same foundation: a belief that pets deserve to be treated as individuals, and that their families deserve honesty, respect, and a care team they can actually trust.
Many of our team members are Fear Free certified, which means our staff is trained to recognize and reduce anxiety and stress during veterinary visits. From the way we handle patients to the way we structure appointments, we make deliberate choices to keep your pet calm and comfortable—because a low-stress visit isn’t just kinder, it leads to better care.
We’re also a team that’s always learning. Dr. Pan is committed to supporting the professional development of every person at Panova Animal Hospital, because he believes the best clinics are built by people who are growing—not standing still.