DVM
President
Dr. Michael Charney is proud to be a part of the Murray Hill Veterinary Associates team. He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from Cornell University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He then pursued his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
After veterinary school, Dr. Charney pursued an internship in medicine and surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, NJ. He is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New Jersey Veterinary Medical Society, Veterinary Management Group and New Jersey Aquarium Society. He currently lives in Basking Ridge with his wife, two sons, and array of animals and aquatic creatures.
DVM
Vice-President
Dr. Linda Marie Pedro was born and raised in Avenel, New Jersey. She graduated from Rutgers University – Cook College with a B.S. in Animal Science and B.A. in Psychology, and loved working with the research cows during her time there. She earned her veterinary degree from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and following graduation, could not wait to come back to New Jersey. She returned home to complete a year-long internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital – Tinton Falls, where she remained on staff as an Emergency veterinarian and General Practitioner at both the Tinton Falls and Hillsborough locations for 5 years. Her main veterinary interests include emergency medicine, surgery, dermatology, and clinical pathology. Life changes moved her closer to home and her family, and she joined the Murray Hill Veterinary Associates team in summer 2018.
When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, visiting NYC, painting and small art projects, and traveling. Her favorite activity these days is hanging out with her family’s two standard poodles, Ellie and Johnny, who bring laughter and fun wherever they go!
DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Secretary/Treasurer
Dr Keegan, raised in New Jersey, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and DVM from Colorado State University in 2010. He then completed an internship at Oradell Animal Hospital and cardiology residency at RBVH receiving ACVIM Board Certification in 2014.
In 2016, Dr Keegan founded Veterinary Cardiology Services providing consultation for both referral and general practices. Working together with both pet owners and the primary care veterinarian provides the best opportunity for optimal quality of life.
Since January 2023, Dr Keegan has served on the Advisory Board of Rowan University – Schreiber School of Veterinary Medicine. Being just a small part of developing our state’s first Vet School has been a truly unique experience for him. For more than a decade, Dr Keegan has also volunteered with numerous rescues, shelters, and Puerto Rican animal transports. When not practicing he enjoys fitness, the ocean, zoomies, and spending time with his wife and furry crew.
DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
Past President
Dr. Kim grew up in New York and received her BA from the University of Pennsylvania. After two years at the National Cancer Institute performing cancer genetic research, she attended veterinary school at Tufts University. Dr. Kim completed a rotating internship at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan, New York, and an oncology internship at Cornell University. She then did her residency in medical oncology at Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Kim has been a member of the NJVMA since 2005 and was elected to the NJVMA board in 2020. In addition to being on the board of NJVMA, she also volunteers with ACVIM (currently Chair of the Governance Committee) and is on the advisory board at The Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University. She enjoys educating veterinarians and will occasionally speak at continuing education events. In her free time she loves fiber arts (weaving, knitting, sewing) and heading to the mountains to hike. She shares her row home with 3 cats and a chihuahua (who thinks he is actually a cat).
DVM
Director
Dr. Tiffany, a New Jersey local, received her Animal & Nutritional Sciences/pre-vet Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University- “Let’s Go Mountaineers”. During her time in Morgantown, she competed in the IHSA in the Western pleasure and reining divisions. Following undergrad Tiffany spent a year as a veterinary assistant with Kunz Equine LLC at the Meadowlands Racetrack, where she gained experience and developed her interest in equine sports and emergency medicine.
Tiffany then attended veterinary school at Ross University, on the beautiful island of St. Kitts. She completed her clinical year at Oklahoma State University and graduated in January of 2016. Dr. Mahalchick is particularly interested in preventative medicine, dentistry, and emergency medicine. Dr. Tiffany founded Coastal Elite Veterinary Services in 2019 and purchased Colts Head Veterinary Services in 2020. Tiffany is a member of the AVMA, AAEP, FEI, NJAEP/NJVMA, & AASRP.
In her down time, Tiffany will most likely be found down the shore with her husband Michael and two dogs- Brody & Saxa. Some of her hobbies include water skiing, SCUBA diving, playing beach volleyball, or riding her horses.
VMD, DACVIM (SAIM)
Director
Dr. Hammer is a native New Englander who did her undergraduate degree at Tufts University. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2000, spent a year at Mississippi State University for a small animal rotating internship, and then returned to the University of Pennsylvania for a small animal internal medicine residency. She achieved board certification in small animal veterinary internal medicine in 2004.
Dr. Hammer then settled into private referral practice for 20 years, where she not only practiced internal medicine, but her curiosity led her to run the volunteer blood bank and establish an interventional radiology and endoscopy program. In the early 2020s, Dr. Hammer started HammerVet with the intent of bringing not just ultrasound but her internal medicine expertise to general practitioners and their patients. Dr. Hammer also continues to do locum work at area referral practices in order to maintain her skills and continue to learn from and maintain relationships with area specialists.
In addition to running her own business, she enjoys volunteering on various committees including the NJVMA Veterinary Education Conference planning committee and for the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. When not working, she can be found in the mountains snowboarding, reading on the beach, at a Flyers game, or traveling.
DVM
Director
I’m Dr. Omur Silit, a veterinarian with six years of experience in emergency medicine, shelter medicine, and general veterinary care. I earned my veterinary degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, and completed my clinical year at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, where I received hands-on training in a variety of specialties. This education gave me a strong foundation in both emergency care and preventive medicine, which I continue to build upon every day.
My passion for animals started with a stray cat named Girlie, whom I began caring for during my childhood. Girlie’s resilience and trusting nature deeply impacted me, and it was through her that I first realized the profound bond between humans and animals. This experience fueled my desire to pursue a career where I could advocate for and care for animals in need, particularly those facing challenging circumstances. Whether in emergency medicine or shelter care, I’ve always been driven by a commitment to providing the best care and helping animals recover, thrive, and find their way to loving homes.
In my professional work, I have gained valuable experience in both emergency settings and shelter environments, which has given me a well-rounded approach to veterinary care. I’m particularly passionate about emergency medicine and shelter medicine, where I provide life-saving care to critically ill animals while ensuring that those in shelters receive the treatment they need to recover and find their forever homes.
Outside of work, I stay active with gardening, yoga, and running. I also care for 18 chickens and share my home with two cats, “Sprout”, and “Nimbus”, whose quirky personalities keep life entertaining. I’m dedicated to helping animals heal and providing support to their families throughout the process.
CAE
Executive Director
Phil Russo is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association. In this role, he leads the board in identifying, attaining, sustaining, and growing success in all areas. His areas of expertise include strategic and operational planning; culture development; innovative non-dues revenue programs; communications, public relations, and publications; conference and tradeshow strategy and execution; and market research and benchmarking. Phil has a bachelor of arts degree in Journalism from Rutgers University and an Associates in Applied Sciences degree in Marketing from Middlesex County College. In 1997, Phil earned the Certified Associate Executive designation attesting to his expertise in running non-profit organizations; he has maintained that designation continuously since that time.
DVM, DACVECC
Board Apprentice
David Conway is a staff Criticalist and Associate Medical Director at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Originally from Cleveland Ohio, his interest in veterinary medicine began at the age of 5 and has been unwavering since that time. He is an alumnus of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, after which he pursued an internship at Michigan State University and a Residency at Tufts University before joining Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in 2023. His clinical interests include trauma, transfusion medicine, infectious disease, and lower urinary tract obstructive disease. He is the chair of the Red Bank infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship committee and is the medical direction for the K9 Kona project that is co-administered with University Hospitals, JEMSTAR, and the New Jersey Sate Police department for the medical care and transport of tactical K9 officers of the New Jersey State Police. In his spare time he is an avid fisherman and enjoys spending time with his wife, young son, and 2 retired racing greyhounds.
DVM
Board Apprentice
Dr. Julie N. Sanders is a graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. During her time at the VMCVM sheserved as Student Ambassador for Purina, class fundraiser, and VBMA treasurer. Upon graduation, Dr. Sanders entered directly into full-time emergency practice with additional part-time shelter & spay/neuter work. Dr. Sanders also served as the consultingveterinarian for Radford University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for two years before moving to New Jersey to further her emergency career as a Senior Emergency Veterinarian at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital.
In pursuit of work-life balance, Dr. Sanders transitioned to general practice in 2014 as a Chief of Staff for Banfield Pet Hospital in South Philadelphia. Her medical interests include surgery, dentistry, behavior, and nutrition. She successfully revitalized a struggling hospital and was promoted to Director of Veterinary Quality in 2017 – coaching medical quality for over 40 doctors inmultiple locations. In 2021, Dr. Sanders expanded her role to managing both business and medicine as a Director of Operations for Heart + Paw. She continued to find join in practice by filling relief emergency shifts. The joy of practice and belief inownership as a path to long-term security led her to pioneer the role of Joint Venture Partner Doctor with Heart and Paw. She isonce again a full-time general practice as the lead doctor at her general practice while continuing to pick up a regular Emergency Shift at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Mt. Laurel, NJ.
Dr. Sanders volunteer work started well before vet school with Alley Cat Allies, her local SPCA, and Greyhound Welfare (Vice President). Her service continues to this day with donated surgical services at local shelters. She has volunteered with the AVMA since 2012 participating in ECFVG BCSE workshops and served two consecutive terms on the Council on Veterinary Service (council chairperson for the final year). She remains active with the VMCVM as both a member of the Alumni Board of Directors and student mentor.
Dr. Sanders enjoys traveling and driving motorcycles with her husband, Jason and step-son Joseph. A life-long dog-person Dr. Sanders shares her leg room with a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Artemis, and has acquired an appreciation for cats from her cat-in-law, Lo-Mein.
DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Director
Dr Keegan, raised in New Jersey, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and DVM from Colorado State University in 2010. He then completed an internship at Oradell Animal Hospital and cardiology residency at RBVH receiving ACVIM Board Certification in 2014.
In 2016, Dr Keegan founded Veterinary Cardiology Services providing consultation for both referral and general practices. Working together with both pet owners and the primary care veterinarian provides the best opportunity for optimal quality of life.
Since January 2023, Dr Keegan has served on the Advisory Board of Rowan University – Schreiber School of Veterinary Medicine. Being just a small part of developing our state’s first Vet School has been a truly unique experience for him. For more than a decade, Dr Keegan has also volunteered with numerous rescues, shelters, and Puerto Rican animal transports. When not practicing he enjoys fitness, the ocean, zoomies, and spending time with his wife and furry crew.
Phil Russo is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association. In this role, he leads the board in identifying, attaining, sustaining, and growing success in all areas. His areas of expertise include strategic and operational planning; culture development; innovative non-dues revenue programs; communications, public relations, and publications; conference and tradeshow strategy and execution; and market research and benchmarking. Phil has a bachelor of arts degree in Journalism from Rutgers University and an Associates in Applied Sciences degree in Marketing from Middlesex County College. In 1997, Phil earned the Certified Associate Executive designation attesting to his expertise in running non-profit organizations; he has maintained that designation continuously since that time.
