Meet our Team In Fountain Valley

Meet our Team

Dr. Wayne Kopit

DVM

Dr. Wayne Kopit graduated from the U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. He then completed a rotating internship in radiology, internal medicine and surgery at the California Animal Hospital in 1985. Dr. Kopit purchased Brook-Ellis Pet Hospital in 1985 from his father, Dr. Harold Kopit. He comes from a family of veterinarians including his father and two of his three brothers, and his wife, Dr. Diane Steinberg. In addition to dogs and cats, he has a special interest in non-venomous reptile and small mammal medicine and surgery as well as other small mammals.

He enjoys surfing, fishing, photography and being with his family and pets. He has two daughters, Andi and Jamie, 2 snakes, 3 cats
and “Fin” a Border Terrier.

Dr. Kopit is a member of the following organizations:

American Veterinary Medical Association
California Veterinary Medical Association
Southern California Veterinary Medical Association
Association of Amphibian and Reptile Veterinarians
The Cornell Feline Health Center

Dr. Karen Kaplan grew in Torrance, CA. She obtained degrees in Animal Biology in 2004 and Veterinary Medicine in 2009 at U.C. Davis, then did a veterinary rotating internship in Walnut Creek, CA. She worked in the Bay Area for several more years before moving down to Orange County. Dr. Kaplan specializes in the care of small mammals, in addition to dogs and cats. She loves reading (usually fantasy novels) as well as exploring botanical gardens, going for hikes, and visiting aquariums. She enjoys spending time with her husband, their young child, two cats, and two lizards named Jack and Link the Skink.

Dr. Karen Kaplan

DVM

Dr. Jennifer Dietz Kumar

VMD

Dr. Kumar completed her undergraduate at Wellesley College, followed by her veterinary studies at University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 2009. She completed a rotating internship at Animal Surgical and Emergency Center in Los Angeles, then spent five years working as an emergency clinician at specialty hospital in Fountain Valley. She has owned South Coast Pet Hospital in Santa Ana since 2012, Baker Bristol Pet Hospital since 2017, Seacliff Animal Hospital in Huntington Beach since 2020, and Brook-Ellis Pet Hospital since 2021. She also volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors at Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach. She loves treating all animals but has a special interest in the care of exotic pets including rabbits and parrots. She lives in Huntington Beach with her husband and two daughters. She loves downhill skiing, eating lobster in her hometown of Boston, and traveling abroad with her family.

Rachel Burlingame

RVT (Hospital Manager)

Rachel joined the Brook-Ellis Family as Hospital Manager in 2021. She has been working in the field of veterinary medicine for 15+ years as a customer service representative, veterinary technician, and hospital manager. She received her RVT license in 2017. She is excited to be a part of the team and help facilitate a happy, healthy environment for both the staff and client. In her free time, she fosters for the local animal shelter, enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, and being in outdoors.

Fidel began working at Brook-Ellis Pet Hospital in August of 1995. He started in the veterinary field through ROP classes in high school. When he isn’t at work, he enjoys fishing, BBQ’ing and archery. His favorite cat breed is the British Shorthair and his favorite breed of dog is the Brussels Griffon.