Meet the doctors on staff

Rudolph S. Nucci, D.V.M.

Dr. Nucci did his undergraduate studies at Michigan State University. He then attended Michigan State university College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1970.

Dr. Nucci was first employed at the East Side Veterinary Hospital in Detroit in 1970, a large, busy and challenging practice where he gained the bedrock of his experience in the treatment of small animals. This included extensive experience in surgical procedures of all kinds. He was on staff there until 1983.

In 1983 Dr. Nucci opened the Nucci Veterinary Clinic in St.Clair Shores. Originally a solo practice, the clinic now employs four veterinarians as well as a staff of veterinary technicians and administrative personnel. The clinic is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.

Dr. Nucci is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, the Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association as well as the Macomb County Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Nucci's interest are physical fitness and golf.

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Kathleen G. Murphy, D.V.M.

Dr Murphy did her undergraduate studies at Michigan State University
and graduated with a bachelors degree in microbiology. She then attended Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1985.
Dr. Murphy has worked exclusively in small animals practices including one year at an after-hours emergency clinic.
Dr. Murphy is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association as well as the Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association.

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Kala Ravichandran, D.V.M.

Dr. Kala graduated in 1998 from Madras Veterinary College in India. She also moved to the United States that same year. In 1999 Dr. Kala passed her national board exam followed by a one year post graduate program for foreign veterinarians at Iowa State University from June 2000 to May 2001.
Dr. Kala obtained her license to practice in 2001.
Dr. Kala was first employed at White Lake Animal Hospital in White Lake, Michigan. A busy small animal practice that was later bought out by VCA corporate. She continued to work for VCA until May 2004, when she joined the team at Nucci Veterinary Clinic.

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Joel J. Smiler, D.V.M.

Dr. Joel Smiler is a graduate of the 1969 Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine.He is a fellow classmate of Dr. Nucci. Dr. and Mrs. Smiler have four boys, an Akita, and a pug. They moved from Vermont in May 2004. He has been working at Nucci Veterinary Clinic on most Saturdays as well as working relief at several other local practices. From 1973 to 1993, Dr.Smiler was in partnership and management of the North Hills Veterinary Hospital, in Rochester, Michigan. He is also the president of Rex Point Kennels, Inc., a large suburban pet boarding facililty. Dr. Smiler enjoys most areas of veterinary medicine, especially behavior and dermatology.
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