Doctors
Dr. Samuel Hurcombe - Medical Director
Dr. Sam Hurcombe hails from Adelaide, Australia, and graduated from Murdoch University's veterinary school in 2003 with first-class honors. Following an equine internship in Sydney, he came to the US and completed a residency in internal medicine (ACVIM), a Master’s degree in clinical endocrinology, and a fellowship in emergency and critical care (ACVECC), where he developed his passion for emergency soft tissue surgery and critical care.
During his 15+ years as a double-boarded specialist, he worked around the world in both University and private practice settings, providing surgery and emergency medicine services. Over the years, Sam has taught hundreds of veterinary students, interns, and residents and has published widely on a variety of surgery and critical care topics.
In 2021, Dr. Hurcombe transitioned to small animal surgery and emergency practice and has thoroughly enjoyed this new career pivot. After holding a staff surgeon and Medical Director position at a surgery center in New York City, Sam continued his educational growth in the small animal GP setting, where he has provided both GP and surgery services for the past 2 years to a variety of clinics in PA, NY, and NJ.
Now with IPC, Sam is excited to lead the team at Second Street Animal Hospital to provide exemplary pet care, surgical services, and education to the pet-owning clients of Philadelphia.
Dr. Stephanie Valentino - Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Stephanie Valentino is a South Jersey native and earned her DVM degree from North Carolina State University in 2021. Prior to attending veterinary school, she volunteered in animal shelters and worked in veterinary rehabilitation and acupuncture. Her special interests include chronic pain management, feline internal medicine, dentistry, and veterinary acupuncture.
She loves all things with fur and scales. Dr. Valentino is also a fiber arts enthusiast, gamer, and horror hound.
Dr. Sharonda Meade - Associate Veterinarian
Originally from New Jersey, Dr. Meade’s journey into veterinary medicine began with a deep love for animals and a passion for science. She first studied Animal Science at Rutgers University, then continued her academic path in Virginia—earning both a Master’s in Animal Science and a PhD in Veterinary Medical Sciences from Virginia Tech and the VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Her curiosity and commitment to advancing animal care also led her to postdoctoral research in biomaterials at Rutgers and orthopedic studies at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Although her background in research was extensive, Dr. Meade discovered that her true calling was in clinical medicine. She went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania, where she also completed a specialty internship in Exotic Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery. Since then, she has devoted her career to caring for exotic pets and wildlife—working with everything from pocket pets and parrots to raccoons, deer, and even crocodiles.
Her favorite patients are birds, and she now brings the distinction of being a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in Avian Practice. Along with her board certification, she continues to provide expert knowledge, skill, and compassion to every species she sees.