Smart solutions. Kind service. A new kind of veterinary compounding pharmacy.

Leadership Team

Bass Girgis Photo

Bass Girgis, Pharm.D.

President

Bass Girgis Photo

Tom Wheeler

Vice President, Development

Bass Girgis Photo

Pal Kahlon, Pharm.D.

Vice President,
Operations and Director
of Research &
Development

 

Bass Girgis, Pharm.D.

President

Dr. Bassem Girgis earned his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ in 2008. Even before entering pharmacy school, Bassem held a position as a compounding technician in Randolph, NJ where he fell in love with the art and science of compounding. Since then he has had extensive experience in the industry and has developed the high level competency required to operate a pharmacy that provides this type of specialty service.

As the founder of Akina Animal Health, Bassem possesses a comprehensive level of healthcare and specialty compounding experience that allows him to offer a unique perspective and insight on the industry. During his time as president of Akina Animal Health, he has demonstrated solid entrepreneurial abilities that are reflected in his marketing, strategic, regulatory, and operational expertise.

Bassem strongly embraces and advocates the organization’s philosophy that good will and doing the right thing will cultivate success and an endearing company culture.

Tom Wheeler

Vice President, Development

With over 20 years of experience in animal health, Tom has worked with industry leaders and industry leading companies such as Novartis, Veterinary Centers of America (VCA), and National Veterinary Associates (NVA). At the beginning of his career, after college, Tom joined the manufacturing team at Novartis where he demonstrated his unique ability to lead and strategize and was placed into the Novartis Management Development Program. At the same time, Tom also received his MBA from Wake Forest University. After graduation, he moved quickly through the organization in various project management roles where he led change initiatives in the areas of quality assurance, manufacturing operations, and sales force deployment. Tom then focused on sales and managed markets where his achievements lead to his promotion to a director-level position

He was later recruited by VCA to manage all hospital operations in a four-state region, and he was quickly promoted to regional vice president where he successfully served the organization. He later joined NVA as the Director of Operations in their Central Division.  

Recruited to the Akina Animal Health team in 2015, Tom leads all sales initiatives and implements successful business strategies for the organization. He is experienced in a number of diverse functional areas within the veterinary industry that ranges from manufacturing and quality assurance to business strategy and hospital operations.

Tom earned his Masters of Business Administration from Wake Forest University in 1993. Tom, like every Akina Animal Health team member, is an animal lover and parents a two-year-old cat, Trudy, who loves to eat and sleep. 

Pal Kahlon, Pharm.D.

Vice President, Operations and Director of Research & Development

Dr. Pal Kahlon has been with Akina Animal Health since its inception and has held key positions within the company that have led to increased revenue, efficient operational strategies, and development of key relationships within the industry. During his time here, Pal has demonstrated an exceptional ability to manage day-to-day operations and take on just about any role that is required. As a multi-talented individual that has accumulated years of experience in compounding and specialty pharmacy – from regulatory affairs, quality assurance, third party relations, personnel education and training to the detailed technical skills of the science of compounding – Pal has been essential to the vision and mission of Akina Animal Health.

Pal has been immersed in the field of compounding for the past 15 years and initially joined Akina Animal Health as a compounding technician in 2012. Since then, he has quickly demonstrated his valuable and diverse skill set and is responsible for all operations, research and development strategies, and new formulation development.

Pal received his Bachelor of Pharmacy from GNDU in 2004. He is also a registered pharmacist in British Columbia, Canada and  received his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy of the University of Colorado.

 

 

Bass Girgis Photo

Amelia Shane

Chief Experience Officer

Bass Girgis Photo

Basma Rizk, Pharm.D.

Director of Clinical Affairs and Quality Assurance

Bass Girgis Photo

Oscar

Akina’s Top Dog

 

Amelia Shane

Chief Experience Officer

Amelia plays a vital role in the special experience every client receives when interacting with Akina Animal Health. She is responsible for initiating, managing, and implementing corporate branding and marketing strategies. With a professional background that spans over 10 years of experience in the Animal Health Industry, she brings with her a passion for understanding the needs of our clients and developing programs and strategies that align our business model with those needs. She considers herself a marketing geek and has succeeded in combining that expertise with her other love – animals. Amelia has a black cocker spaniel, Jake, who is her best friend and favorite running partner. She also enjoys baking Jake his favorite treats – peanut butter, bacon and pumpkin cookies.

Amelia received a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Business Administration in Marketing Management from Goldey-Beacom College in 2006.

Basma Rizk, Pharm.D.

Director of Clinical Affairs and Quality Assurance

Dr. Basma Rizk is responsible for the initiation and implementation of every component essential to the Akina Animal Health Quality Assurance Program that ensures consistency and excellence in everything we do.She also manages quality control activities and oversees the pharmacy personnel training that is required to meet all quality assurance standards.

During her time at Akina Animal Health, Basma has directed the PCAB accreditation process and has been integral to the company’s success in this great achievement and continues to introduce improvements that  continue to strengthen the Akina Animal Health Quality Assurance Program. Basma is also certified in veterinary and human compounding and closely interacts with pharmacy personnel on a day-to-day basis sharing her expertise.

Basma graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Charleston in West Virginia in 2011.

Oscar

Akina’s Top Dog

Oscar – Akina’s Top Dog

Loyal. Friendly. Intelligent. That’s Akina’s Top Dog, Oscar! A smart and lively two-year-old Jack Russel Terrier, Oscar loves attention and having fun. Oscar offers his unique point of view on topics important to veterinarians and pet parents. He’s also the DEO (Dog Executive Officer) for Akina Animal Health’s social media, but beware of dog: sometimes his mischievous side gets the best of him!

Oscar’s hobbies include, running, jumping, and playing fetch. He also enjoys sunbaths, barking, and reading the Paw Street Journal on Sundays.

If you have a question for Oscar, let him know at BeKind@akinapets.com.