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.

Beth Thurman, a third-generation San Diego native, has been with PESC since 2002. Her knowledge of the community makes her the perfect person to handle our veterinarian relations. She started her career in veterinary medicine as a kennel assistant and risen to oversee Referral Partner Relations as well as Hospital Operations. Beth uses her creative talent to come up with innovative ideas to engage our local veterinarians and their teams. She looks forward to building relationships with our local veterinarians while working at the PESC to provide excellent care and service to clients and patients.

In her free time, Beth enjoys training and showing her Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

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. Morello was raised in both northern California and Oregon. She attended Cal Poly SLO for her undergraduate degree and UC Davis for her doctorate of veterinary medicine. After graduation, Dr. Morello completed a prestigious rotating internship focused on emergency and specialty medicine. She then joined the PESC staff as an ER clinician. Dr. Morello’s emergency interests include trauma, critical care, and surgical emergencies. In her free time, she enjoys painting, scuba diving, and spending time with her amazing dogs.  

Dr. Richman was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She received her undergraduate degree and was a college athlete at Claremont McKenna College. She attended veterinary school at UC Davis and was accepted into PESC's distinguished internship for advanced training in emergency and critical care. After completion of this program, she joined the team as a staff emergency and critical care clinician. Her special interests include soft tissue emergency surgery, trauma, and cardiac emergencies. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys riding her handsome horse, surfing, open water swimming and being active with her crazy, sweet Irish Setter. 

Prior to becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Sanabria completed her Bachelor’s degree at the State University of Puerto Rico, where she was born and raised. Dr. Sanabria completed her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University in 2018.  She primarily focused on small animal medicine and exotic species.  On her time off, Dr. Sanabria volunteered with wildlife/endangered species in Puerto Rico and the Galapagos Islands. After veterinary school, she sought further training and completed a Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Rotating Internship, where she grew to love Emergency Medicine.  She has now relocated here to San Diego where she enjoys hiking, biking, paddleboarding, and spending time with her pup, Iva.

Dr. Korten was born in Argentina, then lived in Europe briefly before moving to the United States. She spent most of her childhood in Kansas. After attending the University of Kansas for her undergraduate education, Dr. Korten moved to upstate New York where she completed her veterinary education at Cornell University. Dr. Korten completed an emergency and critical care internship before joining the PESC team as an emergency clinician. In her free time, Dr. Korten enjoys exercising, cooking, playing musical instruments, and spending time outdoors. 

Dr. Korten is passionate about client education and will help you make the most informed decision about your pet’s healthcare.

Originally from Illinois, Dr. Mortimer grew up in the Chicagoland area. She completed veterinary school at the University of Illinois. After graduating, Erin was accepted into PESC’s demanding internship for advanced training in emergency and critical care. Upon completion of this program, she joined our team as a staff emergency and critical care clinician. Her professional interests include emergency medicine, critical care, and soft tissue surgery. Outside of the clinic she enjoys spending time with her partner and two dogs, Moose and Bento.

Dr. Campbell was born and raised in San Diego where she worked as a veterinary technician and an immunology researcher prior to veterinary school. She attended UC Davis for both her undergraduate and medical training, then completed her education by returning to San Diego for a multi-specialty internship. Her special interests include imaging (Ultrasound, Xray, CT, etc), surgery and teaching.  Outside of work, Amanda actively pursues live music, diverse cooking ventures, travel and doting on her puppies, Turtle and Bryce Canyon. 

Dr. Shrestha grew up in Orlando, Florida, and earned her DVM degree from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. After graduating, she moved to San Diego and completed a rotating internship at VCA Emergency Animal Hospital and Referral Center. She is now joining the PESC team to focus on emergency medicine. When not working, she enjoys traveling, going to the beach, and hanging out with her dog, Nova. 

Dr. Stephens grew up in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C. He studied biology at the University of Virginia and then went on to veterinary school at Virginia Tech. Dr. Stephens began to develop his passion for emergency medicine as an intern at Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle and has been working as an ER doctor ever since. Outside of work he enjoys exploring everything that the San Diego area has to offer. He enjoys hiking, skiing, traveling, and playing with his dog, Friday, a tripod Golden Retriever. 

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.

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. 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.