Meet our Team

Mike Gazza serves as the Hospital Director for the PESC, overseeing many aspects of the day-to-day operations of the practice. Mike received a B.S. in Industrial Management from the Oregon Institute of Technology in 1992. As he had more than four years of experience as a technician in the veterinary field, he elected to combine his interests by pursuing a career in veterinary practice management. Mike joined the PESC in 1997. He is committed to providing excellent service to our referring veterinarians, clients, and patients.

Stephanie Leone graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Delaware in 1999. A native of the east coast, Stephanie moved to San Diego in 2000 and attended Mesa College’s RVT program. After graduation, she joined the PESC as a technician on the emergency service. Stephanie now manages our emergency service, assuring that all aspects of the emergency department run smoothly while providing excellent client service and compassionate patient care.

Dr. Dillon is originally from Canada and began her veterinary career in an avian specialty practice in Vancouver, BC. She was a veterinary nurse for many years and worked in Canada and in New Zealand where she eventually attended veterinary school. Dr. Dillon graduated from Massey University in 2015. During her time in New Zealand, she worked at the Auckland Zoo, the Massey University wildlife hospital (Wildbase) and at an emergency and specialty hospital. Dr. Dillon has also participated in field research working with endangered parrots and completed zoological training programs at various zoos around the world including the San Diego Zoo. She completed her rotating internship at the Pet Emergency & Specialty Center in 2017 before moving on to an exotics/wildlife/zoo internship in Canada. Chelsea returned to the PESC for her residency training in avian medicine with the goal of becoming board certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Avian Practice.

Prior to attending veterinary school, Dr. Cecil worked as a zookeeper at the San Francisco Zoological Society where he developed a keen interest in exotic species. He received his veterinary degree from U.C. Davis and a postdoctoral fellowship at Mississippi State. Todd has been with the PESC since 2006. He received his Aquatic Veterinarian Certification in 2014. Dr. Cecil is very active in local organizations that support care, ownership, and rescue of exotic pets and wildlife.

Dr. Aniya obtained her veterinary degree from Colorado State University in 2003. After completing a small animal rotating internship in Northern California she moved to San Diego to complete her residency training in dermatology. Jennifer became board-certified in dermatology in 2010 and her special interests include management of allergies and ear disease. In addition to lecturing nationally and internationally, she is an active member of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. Dr. Aniya is committed to working with you and your clients to provide the best options for long term management of skin and ear disease.

Dr. Kaelble attended veterinary school at U.C. Davis. After graduation, she was selected for an internship at Purdue University. Upon completion, she relocated to San Diego and joined the Pet Emergency & Specialty Center (PESC) in 1993. Monika becomes board-certified in emergency and critical care medicine in 2000. Dr. Kaelble serves as the Medical Director of the emergency and critical care service. Monika enjoys the challenges and rewards of helping pets and their owners in their time of need.

Dr. Willey received her veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota and went on to complete a residency and board certification in emergency and critical care medicine. Jennifer is passionate about working with the rest of our specialty team, emergency doctors, and referring veterinarians and clients to care for our most critically ill patients.

Dr. Feinswog grew up in San Diego and attended San Diego State before transferring to U.C. Davis to complete his undergraduate education. After completing veterinary school at U.C. Davis in 1986, Ira worked in several small animal and emergency practices before opening his own small animal practice in Vista. In 1993, he sold this practice and co-founded the PESC. His special interests include emergency medicine, surgery, and practice management.

While attending veterinary school at Texas A&M University, Dr. Garb completed a summer externship program here at the PESC. Upon graduating with his DVM degree he sought advanced training and was selected for a prestigious internship in emergency and critical care medicine at Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital in Oregon. Trevor joined our team at the PESC in 2000. His interests include emergency medicine, trauma, and surgery.

Dr. Rosenberg completed veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania in 1997. She then relocated to San Diego and worked in general practice for one year before joining the PESC in 1998. Nirit has served as a staff clinician on our emergency service since this time. Her interests include emergency medicine, critical care, and surgery.

Dr. Cody was born and raised in Wisconsin. She attended undergraduate and veterinary school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Upon graduating, Dr. Cody sought advanced training and relocated to San Diego for a one year rotating medical and surgical internship. After completing her internship, she joined the PESC as an emergency and critical care clinician. Her medical interests include trauma and the treatment of toxicities. As a hobby, she enjoys cake decorating.

Dr. Carrie Deaton originally grew up in Kentucky before heading to the nicer climate of San Diego in 2000. She worked as a veterinary nurse for many years, including several years at the PESC. In 2009, she graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis. Carrie was then accepted into the PESC’s demanding internship for advanced training in emergency and critical care. After completion of this program, she joined our team as a staff emergency and critical care clinician. Her special interests include pain management, trauma, toxicities and anesthesia.

Originally from Nebraska, Dr. Svehla received her undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska and went on to receive her veterinary degree at Kansas State University. Nicole worked as an emergency clinician in Phoenix and the Bay Area before moving to San Diego upon accepting a position at the PESC. Dr. Svehla’s professional interests include critical care, pain management, and trauma. In her spare time she enjoys yoga, hiking, and reading.

Dr. Wypart grew up in Warsaw, Poland where she started her veterinary training. After graduation from veterinary school she worked in a large specialty referral hospital as an emergency clinician and anesthesiologist. She then completed a residency in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2013, Dr. Wypart relocated to San Diego and joined the PESC team. Her professional interests include pain management, cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology especially as they pertain to anesthetized patients.

Dr. Rodriguez is originally from Atlanta, Georgia. She completed her veterinary training at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and moved to San Diego for an internship focusing on emergency medicine and critical care. After completing her internship, Dr. Rodriguez joined the PESC team as an emergency clinician. In addition to emergency care Erica has a special interest in soft tissue surgery. When away from the clinic, she enjoys hiking, traveling abroad, crocheting and spending time at home with her cats and dog.

Dr. Micheletti grew up in San Diego, working at the San Diego Zoo through high school and college. He attended undergraduate and veterinary school at UC Davis. He then returned to San Diego and completed a one year rotating internship with a focus on emergency and critical care medicine. His interests at work include emergency medicine, avian and exotic medicine, and pathology. Outside of his time at the hospital, Chris enjoys road cycling, running, playing piano and guitar, and seeing live music.

Dr. Chisholm earned her veterinary degree from University of Pennsylvania and her residency in Internal Medicine from Auburn University. She has been with PESC since 2000. Dr. Chisholm practices all aspects of internal medicine with extensive training in endoscopy and ultrasound. She enjoys individualizing advanced treatment modalities to improve her patient’s health.

A native of Southern California, Dr. Zacuto completed her veterinary degree at U.C. Davis before interning at the University of Minnesota. She returned to U.C. Davis for her residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine where her personality and compassion earned her favorite resident status two years in a row. While Dr. Zacuto enjoys all aspects of Internal Medicine, she is very interested in endoscopic and minimally invasive procedures. Alyse shares the PESC’s commitment to excellence in client communication and personalized patient care. She will work with you and your family veterinarian to determine the best care for your pet.

Originally from Florida, Dr. Benz received her undergraduate and veterinary degrees from University of Florida. She then completed a small animal medical and surgical internship and medical oncology residency at Louisiana State University becoming board certified in 2013. Melanie relocated to San Diego and joined the PESC team. Dr. Mutz’s focus is on making cancer therapy understandable and accessible to PESC pets and their owners.

Dr. Merideth has been a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists since 1981. A graduate of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Merideth has practiced veterinary ophthalmology for more than 25 years. He has written more than 30 scientific articles along with five chapters for veterinary textbooks. His clinical interests include glaucoma and cataracts. Dr. Merideth practices at Eye Care for Animals’ offices in Tucson, Arizona and San Diego, California.

Dr. Venturi received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Georgia where she was very active in the Pre-Veterinary Club including participation in mission work to provide veterinary services to underserved areas abroad. She then obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine with Honors from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine where she discovered her interest in comparative ophthalmology. After graduating from veterinary school, she spent a year at The Ohio State University doing a rotating internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery followed by an Ophthalmology-focused internship at Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital in Akron, Ohio. Dr. Venturi joined the residency program at Eye Care for Animals in 2013 and graduated in June 2016. Dr. Venturi became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in 2016.

Dr. Lauren Hamil is originally from Tallahassee, Florida, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Florida. She graduated from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015, after which she completed a one-year internship at North Carolina State University. Following her internship, she returned to Colorado State University for her surgical residency. During her residency, Lauren performed research related to wound healing and maintains a special interest in wound healing and reconstruction, as well as minimally invasive soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. Dr. Hamil enjoys every aspect of veterinary surgical care, especially working with pet owners to make the best decisions to care for their companions.

Dr. Majeski hails from Northeastern Pennsylvania. She completed her undergraduate and masters degrees at Georgetown University in Washington DC, and attended veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania, where she remained to complete her veterinary internship. Following her internship, Stephanie completed her residency in Small Animal Surgery at U.C. Davis. Dr. Majeski enjoys all aspects of surgery, with particular interests in surgical oncology, reconstructive techniques, and minimally invasive procedures. She is committed to providing the highest level of personalized care and surgical options for your patients.

Dr. Serdy is a native Australian receiving his veterinary degree with first class honors from the University of Sydney in 1992. Mike worked for two years as a general practitioner in Australia before relocating to the United States where he completed an internship and surgical residency at U.C. Davis. In 1998, Mike joined the PESC and currently leads the surgical service. His advanced surgical training, research, and international education have well prepared him to perform the most state-of-the-art surgical procedures. Mike will work with you and your family veterinarian to offer the highest level of surgical care available.