Dr. James Gillen is originally from Puerto Rico and moved to Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 12. He knew growing up he wanted to be a veterinarian because it brings together the two things he loves most – animals and people. He completed his undergraduate degree at Florida State University and afterwards worked as a veterinary technician, an SAT/ACT tutor, and a high school teacher before completing his veterinary degree at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019.
Dr. Gillen has special interests in dermatology and academia and co-authored two research papers in canine atopic dermatitis and Leishmaniasis. In his free time, Dr. Gillen enjoys anything involving the water (beach/pool, surfing, scuba diving), going to theme parks, exercise (weight lifting, running, biking, boxing), and science fiction books – among other genres. Dr Gillen lives with his wife and son, one dog, two cats, and a ball python.