Dr. Maria Acevedo

Dr. Acevedo cannot remember a time when she didn’t want to be an animal care professional. Growing up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she was surrounded by the family dogs and always felt a natural connection with them. Her passion for pet care simply never wavered— Dr. Acevedo decided to devote her life to bettering the lives of pets and their owners by becoming a veterinarian! Dr. Acevedo earned her veterinary degree from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2008, where she met her future business partner and best friend, Dr. Diaz. 

After graduating with her DVM degree, Dr. Acevedo completed a one-year rotating internship at Blue Pearl in Tampa, where she spent much of her time working in the ophthalmology department. She then moved to Miami to complete a veterinary ophthalmology internship at Animal Eye Specialty Clinic before relocating to Gainesville to complete a glaucoma research fellowship at the University of Florida.When Dr. Acevedo and Dr. Diaz both began working in different locations in the Miami area, they started having conversations about becoming business partners. When Dr. Diaz was offered an opportunity to purchase a clinic, the pair decided to take the plunge—now they’re co-owners of South Miami Vets & Pets, where they’re able to serve the pets and animal owners of Pinecrest with compassionate, high-quality veterinary care every day.

Dr. Acevedo and her husband, Jimmy—an electrical engineer and project manager who is incredibly helpful behind the scenes here at the clinic—enjoy spending time at the beach, playing tennis, and rooting for the University of Florida’s sports teams. Dr. Acevedo is also an avid traveler, and firmly believes that traveling is learning. She’s explored cultures all over the world, including India, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Mexico, and the Caribbean!