BOARD CERTIFIED—INTERNAL MEDICINE

Dr. Block obtained his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 1991. He then completed an internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston in 1992. He obtained his residency training in internal medicine at Purdue University and became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1994. Dr. Block pursued his interests in animal welfare and the human–animal bond by entering a degree program at the Center for Animals and Public Policy at Tufts University, where he obtained his Master’s Degree in 1997. Dr. Block is the past president of the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association, the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics, the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, and the Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Association. He was a founding board member and Treasurer for 10 years of the non-profit Companion Animal Foundation, which helps to provide reduced-cost veterinary care for those in need. He has a particular interest in increasing access to veterinary care and veterinary ethics and enjoys teaching young veterinarians through our longstanding internship and residency programs.

He is the father of two beautiful children, Elsa and Derek, and happily married to his equally beautiful wife, veterinarian Justine Johnson. His “extended family” includes four horses, two goats, two dogs, and three cats, some of which his beautiful children actually help to care for.

Dr. Laurie Monhait is originally from Delaware and completed her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Haverford College, outside of Philadelphia, PA. She then went on to complete her veterinary training at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2011. After veterinary school, she completed a rotating internship at VCA South Shore in Weymouth, MA, and a specialty internship in internal medicine and critical care at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston, TX. She then returned to the New England area to complete her internal medicine residency at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, MA. In 2016, Dr. Monhait relocated to Rhode Island to join the Internal Medicine team at Ocean State. Dr. Monhait enjoys all parts of Internal Medicine but has a special interest in endocrine diseases and gastrointestinal disorders.

Outside of work, Dr. Monhait enjoys spending time with her human family and furry family (a cat and a dog). Additionally, she enjoys running, hiking, cooking, exploring restaurants, and spending time with friends.

Dr. Sara Wilkes graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. She went on to complete a 1-year rotating internship at BluePearl North Hills in Pittsburgh PA followed by a 3-year internal medicine residency at BluePearl Maitland in Orlando, FL. She is thrilled to be working at both OSVS and BSVESS. Her main interests include gastroenterology, kidney disease, and autoimmune conditions.

When she is not at the clinic, Dr. Wilkes enjoys hiking, reading (especially fantasy and historical fiction), traveling, and spending time with her cat, Gabby.