
Maureen Griffin, DVM, Diplomate ACVS-SA
ACVS Fellow, Surgical Oncology
ACVS Fellow Candidate, Minimally Invasive Surgery (Small Animal Soft Tissue)
Assistant Professor, Surgical Oncology
Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, companion animals played a central role in my life. My grandfather raised Kerry Blue Terriers in Ireland, and my father became an advocate for the breed in the United States. From an early age, I developed a dedication to caring for animals, often accompanying my parents on veterinary visits and helping care for our pets. I experienced both the joy of nurturing animals who became beloved family members and the heartache of losing them. These early experiences inspired my commitment to a career devoted to caring for companion animals and supporting the families who love them.
After earning my undergraduate degree from Amherst College, I completed my veterinary degree at the University of California, Davis. During vet school, I developed a strong interest in small animal surgery, which led me to pursue a rotating internship at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a residency in small animal surgery at UC Davis. It was during my residency that I discovered a passion for surgical oncology. I found it deeply rewarding to support families of pets facing cancer, whether their goals were curative or palliative. I was drawn to the complexity of cancer care and the opportunity to integrate multiple treatment modalities to improve outcomes.
Within surgical oncology, I became especially interested in minimally invasive and interventional techniques. These approaches offer the potential to reduce procedural risk and recovery time while expanding treatment options. With the support of an incredible mentor, I pursued a surgical oncology fellowship at the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University, where I was inspired by the integrative, collaborative nature of the oncology service. My fellowship provided invaluable experience working closely with experts across specialties and solidified my commitment to comprehensive, team-based cancer care.
Following this fellowship, I joined the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania as a surgical oncologist, where I continued to grow as a clinician, surgeon, researcher, and educator. Several years later, I pursued advanced training in minimally invasive surgery through a fellowship at Cornell University. This opportunity allowed me to refine these techniques I was passionate about and enhanced my ability to offer innovative, minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic options for pets with cancer.
I feel honored to return to the Flint Animal Cancer Center as a faculty member in surgical oncology. It is a privilege to be part of a team dedicated not only to providing exceptional care to every patient but also to advancing the field of veterinary oncology in ways that contribute to both animal and human cancer research. My current research focuses on minimally invasive and interventional techniques for cancer treatment, as well as novel imaging tools to improve the precision of tumor localization and removal.
Outside of veterinary medicine, I enjoy hiking, running, and spending time outdoors. I played competitive soccer for many years, including during my undergraduate studies at UC Davis and Amherst College, and also coached at the collegiate level. In my free time, I love staying active and spending time with my husband, our dog and cat, and our extended family and friends.