Victoria M. Lukasik, DVM
Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Anesthesiology
Dr. Lukasik, a board certified veterinary anesthesiologist, is responsible for the Southern Arizona Animal Pain Center, a special service provided by Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center. In addition, she has her own Veterinary Anesthesiology referral practice. Dr. Lukasik has 17 years experience working with animals, including 4 years as an emergency and critical care clinician and 13 years as a board certified anesthesiologist.
Dr. Lukasik received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Washington State University, where she was awarded the Outstanding Senior Student in Medicine and Surgery (across all disciplines) and the Dorothy Eggerman Memorial Compassion Award. She has received awards from the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists, American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), research awards from the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, and actively participates on a committee at the National Cancer Institute. In addition, Dr. Lukasik is involved in research at the Arizona Health Sciences Center at the University of Arizona and has published numerous professional articles and contributed to textbooks on the field of anesthesia. She is a nationally and internationally recognized speaker and has been presented with several professional awards, including one for compassion.
Dr. Lukasik completed her residency in anesthesiology at Cornell University and received her Diplomate status from the American College of Veterinary Medicine (DACVA) in anesthesia in 1996. A Diplomate signifies advanced training and is the highest medical designation for veterinarians.
Dr. Lukasik likes to hike with her English Bulldog. She has a hermit crab colony, an African Chiclid fish, a skink (a lizard from Australia), and has stewardship of a desert tortoise. The desert tortoise was previously attacked by dogs and cannot be released back into the wild, so Dr. Lukasik planted a garden for him with all edible native plants. Her outside interests include opera, fine art and paragliding.
Dr. Lukasik is a member of the following professional organizations:
- American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- American Animal Hospital Association
- American Association of Equine Practitioners
- Arizona Veterinary Medical Association
- Southern Arizona Veterinary Medical Association
- Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society
- International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM)