A team member with a brown and white long haired guinea pig

Leila Marcucci, DVM, DABVP (Avian) – Owner, Veterinarian

…is an experienced avian veterinarian with a strong special interest in rabbit and rodent (guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, rats…) medicine.  Since joining BABEH in 2005, she has helped to expand this growing area of our practice.  In 2014, Dr. Marcucci became the sole owner of Bay Area Bird & Exotics Hospital.

Dr. Marcucci is a 2004 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois. She is a San Francisco native and in the past has served as the Vice President and Secretary of the SF Veterinary Medical Association.

Current Associations:

  • ABVP (American Board of Veterinary Practitioners)
  • AAV (Association of Avian Veterinarians)
  • AEMV (Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians)
  • AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)
  • SFVMA (San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association)
  • ARAV (Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians)

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Jane Eckert (left)
Veterinary Technician

Read Jane's Bio!

Bio Coming Soon!

Alexus Johnson
Veterinary Assistant

Read Alexus's Bio!

Alexus Johnson is a Veterinary Assistant at Bay Area Bird and Exotics Hospital, where she began working in August 2025. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, she moved to San Francisco in 2018 and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from San Francisco State University. She brings a strong academic background and several years of hands-on experience in the veterinary field.

Alexus began her career in 2019 as a receptionist at a veterinary hospital, where she discovered a passion for more hands-on patient care. She transitioned into a veterinary assistant role in 2020 and has since worked at various hospitals throughout San Francisco. Her experience includes overnight emergency care at a specialty hospital as well as working with exotic animals in an emergency setting. She especially enjoys meeting animals and learning what makes each one unique.

Alexus knew she was in the right profession the first time she helped a pet walk out of the hospital after arriving unable to do so. Moments like that continue to inspire her commitment to animal care and reinforce the impact of her work every day.

 Colleen Olson
Receptionist

Read Colleen's Bio!

Colleen Olson is a receptionist at Bay Area Bird and Exotics Hospital, where she began working in June 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical and Veterinary Sciences from the University of New Hampshire. In 2024, she relocated to the Bay Area, bringing with her a lifelong passion for animals and a strong background in veterinary science.

Colleen’s love for animals began at a young age, starting as a hobby through horseback riding and working at a local barn. Over time, this evolved into pet sitting for friends and family, and eventually, into a dedicated career path during her college years. Inspired by her natural connection with animals and the camaraderie she found among her peers, she became committed to contributing to high-quality pet care. Her favorite part of working with animals is discovering each one’s unique personality.

She first realized she was in the right profession while working at her college’s state veterinary diagnostic lab. The opportunity to collaborate with and learn from veterinary professionals confirmed her desire to continue in the field.

Outside of work, Colleen enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, practicing yoga, reading, hiking, and skiing. Her lifelong passion for horses began at age eight, and she spent four years living on a dude ranch in Montana before moving to California. Colleen loves meeting new people, exploring new places, and is always in search of her next adventure.