Hi, I'm Dr. Donna Jacobsen

​With over 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine, I am excited to join the team at River West Animal Hospital. Originally from the Jersey Shore, I spent my summers volunteering at the local SPCA and working in veterinary clinics. After graduating from Yale University in 1999 and earning my DVM from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003, I completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in New Jersey.

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My career in the Chicagoland area began in emergency medicine at a specialty hospital on the north shore, followed by a clinical instructor position at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital in downtown Chicago. I then transitioned to small animal general practice in the western suburbs, where I’ve continued to focus on providing high-quality care. I have a special interest in trauma, critical care, and soft tissue surgeries.

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I’m passionate about mentoring veterinary students, technicians, and new graduates, as well as educating pet owners to ensure the best possible care for our patients. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling with my husband, Jason, and our two teenage children. I’m also an avid scuba diver, yoga enthusiast, reader, and enjoy spend quality time at home with my menagerie of pets.