About Us

Caring Vets. Healthy Pets. Serving Baltimore since 1950.

About Us

Essex Middle River Veterinary Center, also known as EMRVC, has provided animal care to Baltimore, Maryland since 1950, nearly 70 years! Conveniently located between Essex and Middle River, our clients come from all across the Baltimore region for our wellness, preventive, and surgical care for cats and dogs.

Our state-of-the-art hospital features multiple full-time veterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians, compassionate assistants and a caring support team. Our mission is providing your pet quality care throughout its life. We serve with with equal parts courtesy and professionalism, and have a deep respect for the human-animal bond. Our bigger team equates to better care, better medicine, and better surgery. 

We proudly serve our community with the following partners:

Pets for Patriots

Pets for Patriots helps veterans adopt at-risk shelter animals.

Pets of the Homeless

Pets of the Homeless is a nationwide organization that provides care and food for homeless pet owners. Let us know if you’re interested in donating food!

Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS)

Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) is a non-profit organization that has run the city’s shelters since 2005. EMRVC has worked with BARCS since May 2011 to help treat cats and dogs in need of care. Read about the touching case of Freckles, a rescue dog EMRVC saved after a horrific car accident.

puppy getting weighed

Meet Our Team

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Essex Middle River Veterinary Center in Baltimore, Maryland!

For more information, contact us to speak to one of our top-rated staff members!

Our Veterinarians

Joseph C. Zulty, DVM

Dr. Zulty, Chief Medical Officer of Essex Middle River Veterinary Center, has been practicing for 32 years. He was born and raised in Baltimore, and earned his bachelor’s degree in molecular biology at the University of Maryland Baltimore County in 1981. He then attended The Ohio State University, where he received his DVM degree, graduating Cum Laude. He returned to Baltimore for his residency in comparative medicine at the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Medicine. He began working at EMRVC in 1993.

When not at work, he’s usually found running the local roads and trails. He also snowboards, and volunteers in Latin America or Southeast Asia with GeoVeterinary International, Inc. He shares his home with his wife, his youngest child and two dogs, Scout, and Puma — a three-legged rescue from Peru.

Anne Hicks, DVM

Dr. Hicks hails from across the Chesapeake Bay, in Cambridge, Maryland. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Western Maryland College in 1985, than attended Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA for her DVM in 1993. She worked at Eldersburg Veterinary Hospital and Anne Arundel Animal Hospital, before arriving at EMRVC in 1995. She has been practicing veterinary medicine for 29 years.

She shares her home with her husband and two children. They share their home with two dogs, Coco and Milo, and a cat named Mr. K.

Dr Ryan Beizavi

Ryan Ashkon Beizavi, DVM

Dr. Beizavi grew up in upstate New York’s Finger Lakes region. He attended undergraduate near home — earning a bachelor’s in biology from St. John Fisher College in Rochester — then attended Ross University of Veterinary Medicine. He completed his veterinary education at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. He first worked at Banfield Pet Hospital, and came to EMRVC in 2013.

Dr. Beizavi’s professional interests include diagnostic imaging, geriatric care, and dermatology. He spends his free time working out, golfing, kayaking and playing online games with friends. He has three cats and two dogs.

Jessica Franchini, DVM

Dr. Franchini was born and raised in Harrisburg, PA but has lived in many different places throughout the US and overseas. She has been a practicing veterinarian since 2012. She received her BS degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois, her Master’s degree in biology from the University of South Carolina and her veterinary degree from St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies doing her clinical year at the University of Minnesota. She settled in Baltimore, MD after coming here for her first job. She met her husband soon after and has remained here since!

As much of a cliché as it sounds, Dr. Franchini had wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as she can remember having had multiple dogs growing up and just having a love of animals in general.

Dr. Franchini has a special interest in soft tissue surgery, neurology and preventative care. She is excited to help clients’ pets live their best lives!

In her spare time, Dr. Franchini enjoys traveling, skiing, running, yoga, reading and DIY projects. She and her husband Steve are the proud parents of a Goldendoodle named Nacho who is also a therapy dog with Pets on Wheels and a Blue Heeler named Trike. They are also owned by three cats: Isosceles, a mildly chunky but perfect DSH, Mr. Piggy, a needy Sphynx and Bucket, a one-eyed beauty that was rescued and nursed back to health by the loving staff of EMRVC after being found on the side of the road (in a BUCKET) by a good Samaritan.

Sarah Stoll, DVM

Dr. Stoll grew up in Carney, MD not too far from Essex Middle River Veterinary Center. She graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor’s degree in biology in 2012 while working full-time as a veterinary technician. She continued working in the veterinary field for a few years, gaining experience, before attending Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her veterinary education at Colorado State University and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2022. She is thrilled to start her veterinary career at Essex Middle River Veterinary Center and is excited to work with and learn from the doctors and staff.

Dr. Stoll’s professional interests include small animal cardiology. Dr. Stoll spends her free time with her husband, Senor Sanchez (a little old chihuahua), and Oliver (a sweet fat cat).

Our Manager

Lauren Nail, Practice Manager

Lauren knew she wanted to care for animals from a young age. Growing up in rural Harford county, Maryland, she began horseback riding at age 8, and learned dog obedience training in her local 4-H. She attended historic Bridgewater College in Virginia, where she received a BS in biology. A few years later, she obtained her degree in veterinary technology from the Community College of Baltimore County.

Lauren has been working at EMRVC since 2010, and has proven herself as a technician and a leader. Her specializations include surgery, anesthesia, emergency care, and nutrition. Her strong skills and dedication to the team have lead to a promotion to Practice Manager. When not at work, she spends time with her husband, children, and animals. She has three cats named Percy, Pickle, and Bruce, and a dog named Louie.

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Our Facility

We take pride in our facility: Our walls are freshly painted, our lighting is cheerful, and every surface is tidy and clean. You are welcome to relax under the tall, wood-paneled ceilings in our waiting room and refresh yourself with some water. Enjoy plenty of art, learn more about pet care, and view our welcome board for all the pets visiting that day! And, because we care about our four-legged guests’ comfort, we recently installed soft, textured floors throughout our facility. Feel free to come by for a tour!

Our Facility

Reception Desk

Waiting Area

Main Entrance

Pet Care Area

Surgery Suite

We have multiple examination rooms, so your pet won’t wait long for its appointment. And, as a full service clinic, we own the latest state of the art equipment for performing diagnostics, medicine, and surgery. We even take nail trims seriously—our doggie lift helps alleviate stress so your pet can literally hang out while getting pampered. Plus, we aren’t shy with treats. Our goal is to make every animal’s visit as pleasant as possible.

For directions, click here!

Contact Our Team

Phone, email, hours, tours, directions and forms