Sierra Paterno, DVM (Surgery)

Dr. Sierra Paterno was born and raised in Southwest Florida on the Gulf Coast and has dedicated her career to advancing the field of small animal surgery through compassionate patient care and a commitment to lifelong learning. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology from the University of South Florida before receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, graduating with high honors from Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Following veterinary school, Dr. Paterno completed a rotating small animal internship at Florida Veterinary Referral Center in Estero, Florida, where she built a strong foundation in emergency medicine, internal medicine, critical care, and surgery. She then pursued a surgical internship at Guardian Veterinary Specialists, further advancing her skills in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. Dr. Paterno is currently completing a specialty surgical internship at ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospital – Palm Beach County, where she continues to refine her expertise in advanced soft tissue, orthopedic, neurologic, and minimally invasive surgery while working toward her goal of becoming a board-certified veterinary surgeon.

Dr. Paterno’s professional interests include soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, minimally invasive procedures, surgical oncology, and clinical research. Dr. Paterno is passionate about combining advanced surgical care with a personalized approach, ensuring each patient receives the highest quality treatment while keeping owners informed and supported every step of the way.

Outside the hospital, Dr. Paterno enjoys traveling, staying active, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with family, friends and her dog, Fritz. She remains deeply connected to her Florida roots and looks forward to continuing to serve pets and their families throughout her career.