Dr. Christy Medrano

Owner, Veterinarian

Dr. Medrano didn’t always know she wanted to be a veterinarian—she had graduated college with a psychology degree before someone sat her down and asked why she hadn’t pursued a career in animal care. Already unsatisfied with the job market, Christy decided to take a leap of faith. She worked as a veterinary assistant, took the necessary science courses, and applied to veterinary school. As soon as she got in, she knew she’d made the right choice. Dr. Medrano had found her calling!

Christy was born and raised in rural North and South Carolina, then moved to Charlotte when she was 16 years old. After graduating from Appalachian State University with her Psychology degree in 1998, she began working at a vet’s office that same year. In 1999, she returned to school at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to begin her veterinary education. By 2006, she’d graduated from North Carolina State University with her veterinary degree.

After completing small-animal and zoo internships, Dr. Medrano returned to the Charlotte area in 2007. She settled in at Fullwood Animal Hospital in 2012, when the previous owner was looking for someone to purchase the clinic. After working here for nine months, Christy purchased the hospital in December of 2012.

At the clinic, Dr. Medrano especially likes connecting with clients and establishing lasting relationships. She never takes for granted the trust that pet parents place in her! Medically, Christy enjoys surgery, dermatology, and internal medicine.

Dr. Medrano and her husband Mike have two children, Nate and Naomi, and a number of pets to round out the family. There are four cats, two dogs, and Willie the corn snake.

Christy enjoys horseback riding and reading, as well as staying active in the church and spending time with family and friends. Her family also enjoys the mountains, and likes to spend weekends skiing and searching for promising new hiking areas.

Dr. Papillon Sanders

Veterinarian

Like most veterinarians, Dr. Papillon Sanders always had a soft spot for animals. It was her fascination with veterinarians’ ability to arrive at a diagnosis through science, testing, and hard work, though, that made a permanent impression. Dr. Sanders knew that she wanted to solve the mysteries of patients’ health in order to help all of the animals she possibly could!

Dr. Sanders is originally from Virginia Beach and launched her veterinary journey in Clemson, South Carolina, where she majored in animal science at Clemson University while volunteering at vet clinics during her time away from classes. Next, she attended veterinary school at the University of Georgia to secure her Doctorate. After graduation, Dr. Sanders moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to be with her husband and start her career as a licensed veterinarian.

Dr. Sanders joined the team here at Fullwood Animal Hospital in February of 2019, and serves the area’s pets and animal owners as an Associate Veterinarian. Medically, she’s fond of working on neurological cases, and she also loves to see new puppies and kittens and help to establish great health habits early on in life.

Away from the clinic, Dr. Sanders enjoys writing, crafting–she even made all of the centerpieces and floral arrangements for her wedding!–and spending quality time with her family and pets at home. She and her husband, LaRon, have a beautiful young daughter named Ari who is currently trying to master the art of crawling. The family shares their home with Banks, an attention-seeking miniature Schnauzer.

Dr. Jennifer Hawthorne

Veterinarian

Dr. Jennifer Hawthorne grew up in a small North Carolina town, where she was surrounded by animals on her family’s beef farm. She had always loved pets, but didn’t seriously consider a career in veterinary medicine until she found out about the pre-veterinary program offered at North Carolina State University. On the spot, Dr. Hawthorne decided to become a veterinarian!

Dr. Hawthorne earned her undergraduate and veterinary degrees at North Carolina State University, and even worked for a year as a radiology technician at the school. After marrying and moving to Georgia, she completed a small animal internship before moving to the Charlotte area and signing on at a local animal hospital.

In March of 2013, Dr. Hawthorne helped to fill in at Fullwood Animal Hospital when Dr. Montgerard was on maternity leave. The two have known each other since their veterinary school days at North Carolina State! Dr. Hawthorne is particularly fond of the close-knit camaraderie around the clinic, and her primary medical interest is radiology.

Dr. Hawthorne and her husband Shawn have two young children, Hayden and Emma. The family lives with Lacy, an elderly mutt, as well as two cats named Isabelle and Marty. As a family, they enjoy visiting local parks, eating together, and watching movies from their impressive film collection.

Dr. Misha Takane

Veterinarian

As a young child growing up in Hilo, Hawaii, Dr. Misha Takane could usually be found outside in the yard, catching lizards, geckos and various insects. When she wasn’t, she was probably glued to the TV watching Animal Planet and her idol, Steve Irwin a.k.a. “The Crocodile Hunter”. There was never a question that becoming a veterinarian was her ultimate goal in life!

Dr. Takane attended the University of Hawaii, where she majored in Animal Science: Pre-Veterinary Studies with a minor in Cellular Molecular Biology. During those 4 years, she also worked at her alma mater, Waiakea High School as a tutor in all subjects, but with a special interest in math. After graduation, she completed the first year of the Veterinary Technician program at Windward Community College in Kaneohe, Oahu, during which time she also worked as a tutor in the college’s math lab.

After accepting admission to Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, she hopped on a plane and moved to Blacksburg, VA. She quickly discovered that she enjoyed the southeastern “vibe” and was excited to have the opportunity to move to Charlotte, NC.
Professionally, Dr. Takane finds particular joy in witnessing the human-animal bond between her patients and clients. It makes her all the more appreciative of the degree of trust that clients place in vets to care for their beloved furry, feathered or scaled family members. From a clinical standpoint, surgery and behavioral medicine are among Dr. Takane’s primary interests.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Takane’s current “pack” consists of her boyfriend, Torrin, who is also a veterinarian; their 3 dogs – Brody, the forever-hungry Beagle; Kira, a tireless Dutch Shepherd who is incredibly intelligent and equally obstinate; and Ryker, a sweet, bouncy Catahoula Leopard Dog who is steadfastly under the false impression that he is still small enough to be a lap dog; and, lastly, a baby crested gecko.
In her spare time, Dr. Takane enjoys spending time outdoors, bicycling with her family, running, or hiking with her dogs. She also enjoys crocheting blankets for family members and her pups, taking on small sewing projects and drawing.