DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
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. Dr. Kim serves as a member of the NJVMA Continuing Education Taskforce. Her interests include promoting diversity and mental health awareness in the veterinary community. She is owned by 3 cats (Norman Rat Baits, Marion and Bumper) and 1 chihuahua (Franklin). In her free time she is an avid knitter.
DVM
Vice-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. Dr. Charney has a strong interest in neurology and internal medicine. 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 Somerville with his wife, son, and array of animals and aquatic creatures.
DVM
Secretary/Treasurer
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
Past President
Dr. Edelle is the owner of Veterinary Center of Morris County in East Hanover, New Jersey. She attended Cornell University for both her undergraduate degree (‘00) and DVM (‘04). Dr. Edelle’s initial passion was in equine medicine and she completed a rotating internship at Mid Atlantic Equine Medical Center. She then joined their Ambulatory Services team as an Associate Veterinarian, remaining there until 2009, when she decided to make the transition to small animal practice. She has been at Veterinary Center of Morris County ever since, finally fulfilling her dreams of purchasing the practice in the fall of 2014. Megan currently lives in Florham Park with her husband, their three children and a menagerie of critters.
As a female practice owner, with experience in both the small animal and equine fields, Dr. Edelle understands the variety of challenges facing practitioners. She believes that we are stronger as a group than we are individually and that if we want to survive in the current climate of veterinary medicine, we need to come together and collaborate.
DVM
Director
Dr. Pettit grew up on a dairy farm in Burlington County New Jersey and enjoyed showing Holstein cows while in 4-H. He earned a BS degree from the University of New Hampshire and was accepted at Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where he graduated in June 1978.
While attending OSU, Dr. Pettit spent a semester at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary College and several weeks at Colorado State’s College of Veterinary Medicine learning embryo transfer techniques. Upon graduation from OSU, he was one of just a few students who could perform Bovine Embryo Transfers, so he purchased a Winnebago for a mobile lab and began performing bovine embryo transfers on cows from Virginia to Ohio to Maine. He went on to learn how to freeze embryos two years later in England and was invited to speak at the 1982 International Embryo Transfer Meeting and later the American Embryo Transfer Meetings. Dr. Pettit’s herd of cows has produced four bulls ranked number one in the world for milk production in New Zealand, Australia, Germany, France, Spain, and the USA.
Dr. Pettit came back to the small animal world in 2003 when he began working at Clementon’s Emergency Service, where he served six years. He also remodeled his dairy barn into a full-service mixed animal clinic, working primarily on dogs and cats. Six of his employees have gone to veterinary college and his daughter Jeannette has followed in his footsteps as a veterinarian; she is part owner of Peticote Veterinary Clinic LLC.
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.
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.
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.
New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association
750 Route 202
Suite 200
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Phone: (908) 281-0918
Fax: (908) 450-1286
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