Specialists
Andrea Brodeur, DVM, DACVECC Open Bio
Dr. Brodeur is a native of Massachusetts. She attended Vassar College for her undergraduate degree, and Tufts University for veterinary school. Following this she completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Norwalk, CT, and a three-year emergency and critical care residency at Oradell Animal Hospital in New Jersey. Dr. Brodeur’s clinical interests include brachycephalic airway emergencies, wound care, and intoxications. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, playing with their five cats, and gardening.
Daniel Dorbandt, DVM, MS, DACVO
Open Bio Dr. Dorbandt is a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist with extensive training in both medical and surgical ophthalmology. This provides him the opportunity to pursue his professional goal of preserving and restoring vision in animals. He also has a special interest in ocular oncology and has published research on innovative diagnostic techniques (3D printing) as well as novel treatment strategies.
Originally from Louisiana, he obtained his veterinary degree from Louisiana State University in 2011, after which, he pursued advanced training at Virginia Tech and the University of Georgia. His residency training and Master of Science degree were completed in 2016 at the University of Illinois, where he was awarded the prestigious Resident Teaching Excellence Award. Dr. Dorbandt carries this honor beyond the education of veterinary students by striving to educate families about the condition(s) that are affecting their pet’s eye so that the best choices can be made regarding their care.
Anna Dunlap, DVM, DACVS
Open Bio
A native of Farmington, Maine, Dr. Anna Dunlap obtained her bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University in upstate New York and received her doctorate of veterinary medicine from Kansas State University. Following graduation from veterinary school, Dr. Dunlap completed a rotating medicine and surgery internship at VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists followed by a one year surgery internship at the Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center. She also completed a one year orthopedic research fellowship at the University of Florida prior to a three year surgical residency at North Carolina State University. Dr. Dunlap has worked at private referral hospitals in Leesburg, Virginia and Portland, Maine.
Dr. Dunlap will be joining our hospital in North Haven in September and will be available for surgical consultations, soft-tissue, orthopedic, and emergency surgical procedures.
Jen Forgash, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)
Open Bio
Dr. Jen Forgash is originally from NJ and her veterinary career began with veterinary school at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in IN, then with completion of a rotating and Internal Medicine specialty internship at Pieper Veterinary in CT, and finally a Small Animal Internal Medicine residency at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Forgash is passionate about patient care, animal rescue, or gastrointestinal endoscopy and disease, as well as immune-mediated disease.
When she is not in the office, Dr. Forgash loves to read and hang out with her chihuahua mix, Finn, (not pictured) and enjoys creative hobbies like drawing and clay sculpting.
Carolyn Gross, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)
Open Bio
Dr. Carolyn Gross received her undergraduate degree from UMass Amherst in 2006 and her DVM from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. She has special interests in nutritional studies and the study of the digestive system and kidney function.
Dr. Gross completed her internship at VCA in Norwalk, CT and her residency at the University of Pennsylvania, where she received the Excellence in Teaching award.
Through her years in the veterinary profession Dr. Gross has become particulary fond of special needs cats, specifically her one-eyed cat named Zelda, and her cats named Link and Hoggle. Dr. Gross also has two dogs named Ender and Lena.
Jennifer Lansdowne, DVM, Msc, DACVS-SA,DECVS-SA
Open Bio Originally from Ontario, Canada, Dr. Lansdowne received her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology
from the University of Guelph in 1996, her DVM from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2003, and her Masters of Science in Clinical Studies from the University of Guelph in 2003. Her Masters Degree is in minimally invasive surgery and epidural anesthesia and she now also specializes in both orthopedics and complex oncological surgery. Dr. Lansdowne completed a Small Animal Rotating Internship at Colorado State University followed by an Orthopedic Fellowship and Surgical Residency at Michigan State University. She spent two years in Davos, Switzerland working at the AO Foundation Research Institute and then returned to her true passion of small animal surgery, joining a private practice in Pittsburgh, PA until 2012. Dr. Lansdowne spent 7 years at a specialty practice in Middletown, CT recently resigning as Head of the surgery department there in order to join our team.
Dr. Lansdowne has written over 20 scientific publications, several orthopedic textbook chapters, and has lectured both nationally and internationally. As well as being a Diplomate of both the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons, she is an Associate member of the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology (VSSO), an AOVet Active Member, and a member of the AVMA.
Andrea Looney, DVM, DACVAA, DACVSMR, CCRP
Open Bio Dr. Andrea Looney earned her degree from the NYS College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in 1989 and returned there after a short stent in private practice for an instructorship in Community Medicine and Anesthesiology. She finished a residency in Anesthesiology in 1997, and then took a position at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Angell Animal Medical Center in Bostonwhere she served on staff in general medicine, emergency, and intensive care until becoming Chief Medical Officer and Clinical Assistant Professor at Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialties, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Her training and interest in animal welfare, palliative care, and pain management then led her back to Cornell where she started the Pain Management and Rehabilitation Service, the outpatient palliative care branch of the Department of Clinical Sciences. It was through her experiences at MSPCA-Angell and Cornell’s pain management service that she became committed to finding unique means, including financially feasible, minimally invasive, symptomatic, and non-surgical mechanisms to treat many common small and large animal diseases and problems. Her main interests lie in provision of quality of life care regardless of financial means, recognition and treatment of animal pain and suffering, spay and neuter as well as symptomatic geriatric care to reduce shelter populations, and teaching of practical anesthesia, pain management techniques. Dr. Looney has authored articles and chapters on these subjects, is boarded in Veterinary Anesthesiology and Pain Management, and is certified in Acupuncture/Veterinary Rehabilitation. Dr. Looney directs our Sports Medicine department and sees patients once a week in our North Haven facility.
Kim MacDonald, DVM, CVMA, CCRP, Certified in Veterinary Medical Chiropractic – Animal Rehabilitation / Emergency and Trauma
Open Bio Dr. MacDonald received her Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia and is a graduate of the Atlantic Veterinary College. She completed her veterinary internship at Norwalk Veterinary and Emergency Referral Center. She joined Central Hospital as a Daytime Trauma and Emergency Clinician in 2008. She received her certification from the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine’s program of Canine Rehabilitation and is also certified in veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic. Dr. MacDonald sees patients once a month in our North Haven office.
Erika Militana, DVM, DACVAA, CVA
Open Bio
Dr. Militana completed her veterinary degree at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. She then completed a one year rotating internship at Veterinary Specialty Hospital in San Diego before returning to Cornell for a three year residency in Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.
During her residence, Dr. Militana served as chief resident. She has received numerous awards throughout her residency and early veterinary training. These include awards in academic excellence, outstanding recognition in client service, and patient care. She has also received recognition for her interest and accomplishments in several area of clinical science. Dr. Militana is boarded in anesthesiology and is a certified veterinary acupuncturist.
Dr. Militana joins Dr. Andrea Looney and will work closely with our specialty and critical care teams to create anesthetic protocols for patients at high risk for anesthetic complications, and for those undergoing complicated surgical, cardiac, or other procedures. She will also work with our Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation team to provide multimodal approaches to acute and chronic pain.
Adam Miller, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)
Open Bio Dr. Adam J. Miller is a native of Buffalo, New York and received his veterinary degree from St. George’s University having completed clinical rotations at Cornell University in 2015. He completed an intensive Small Animal Rotating Internship in Medicine and Surgery with VCA in Norwalk, Connecticut before returning to Cornell University for a three-year residency in Internal Medicine. Dr. Miller’s professional interests include nephrology, gastroenterology, and immune-mediated disease. Outside of work, you will find him trying new restaurants, watching football (Go Bills!), documentaries, or enjoying the outdoors with his affectionate Newfoundland (Isabelle) and energetic golden retriever (Grayson).
Noelle Muro, DVM, DACVS
Open Bio
Dr. Noelle Marie Muro is originally from East Haven, CT, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Molecular Biology from Princeton University in 2006. After a brief foray into the working world, Dr. Muro traveled to St. Kitts to attend the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. After a clinical year at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she received her DVM in 2012.
After graduation, Dr. Muro spent a year at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, MA to complete a high-impact rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery, followed by a small animal surgical internship at Coral Springs Animal Hospital in Coral Springs, FL. She then matched for a small animal surgical residency at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, VA, which was completed in July 2017. During residency, Dr. Muro was also awarded a Master’s degree in Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences. After residency, Dr. Muro stayed on as an assistant clinical professor of small animal surgery at VA-MD, and became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS-SA) in 2018. From 2017-2020, she served on the faculty of VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, and was service chief of small animal surgery from 2019-2020. From 2020 to 2023, she was a small animal surgeon at VCA Veterinary Specialists of CT, and has since moved closer to home to continue her journey at the Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Muro’s professional interests include surgical correction of cranial cruciate ligament rupture, and fracture fixation. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, movies, and playing with the two most beautiful cats on the earth, Squish Banana and Cheddar Bay Biscuit.
Gina Olmsted, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
Open Bio Dr. Olmsted earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Stony Brook University in 2003. She then went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. Dr. Olmsted completed a small animal medical and surgical internship at Long Island Veterinary Specialists in 2009. After completing her internship she was employed as an associate veterinarian in a busy practice on Long Island. Dr. Olmsted then went on to pursue a residency in medical oncology at The Veterinary Cancer Center in Connecticut. Dr. Olmsted completed her medical oncology residency in 2013 and received board certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in the specialty of oncology.
Melvyn Pond, BVMS, MRCVS, DACVS
Open Bio Dr. Pond, one of the foremost Board Certified veterinary surgeons in the region, performs orthopedic and general surgery here at Central Hospital. Dr. Pond graduated from the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine and has held teaching and research positions at the University of Pennsylvania, University of Georgia, University of Glasgow and the Yale University School of Medicine. In 1982, he established a surgical referral practice in Connecticut and has been associated with Central Hospital since that time. Dr. Pond’s patients are generally referred to him by the veterinarian responsible for their routine care. Dr. Pond is one of 20 veterinary surgeons in the United States performing the recently introduced Total Elbow Replacement surgery. Dr. Pond is available for consultation in person and by telephone to discuss your pet’s problems, help with diagnoses and guide you through the process of deciding the most appropriate treatment.
Lance Rozear, DVM, DACVR
Open Bio Dr. Rozear has been associated with Central Hospital since 2003, interpreting many of our radiographs and performing abdominal and cardiac ultrasounds. He is now here on a full time basis Monday through Friday. He is a 1998 graduate of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Boston Road Animal Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1999 and continued his studies with a radiology residency at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. Shortly after completing his residency, he passed the ACVR board examination (2002), thus becoming a diplomate of theAmerican College of Veterinary Radiology. After serving as radiologist at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts, Dr. Rozear founded Northeast Veterinary Imaging, LLC (NVI), a private veterinary radiology practice in Connecticut and online.
Julia Shakeri, DVM, DABVP (Avian), DACEPM – Exotic Animals/Emergency and Trauma
Open Bio Dr. Julia Shakeri received her DVM from the University of Illinois in 2010. Prior to joining the team here at Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Shakeri completed 5 years of intensive, post-doctoral training in order to be able to confidently provide exceptional veterinary care for the avian and exotic animals in our area. After graduating with a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois, Dr. Shakeri completed a 1-year internship in general medicine and surgery here in Connecticut, followed by a 1-year specialty internship in avian and exotic animal medicine in Maryland, and finally a 3-year residency in avian medicine and surgery in Tampa, Florida.
During her career, Dr. Shakeri has mentored and trained veterinary professionals, wildlife rehabilitation workers, exotic animal caretakers, and the general public on topics concerning avian and exotic animal health and welfare. She has worked with large variety of collection types including pets, zoo animals, performing show animals (mostly birds), falconry raptors, non-releasable exhibition and teaching animals, wildlife, and multiple avian and small mammal rescue and shelter societies.
Kristin Smith, DVM, DACVECC
Open Bio Born and raised in Connecticut, Dr. Smith attended Wesleyan University as an undergraduate, with a Bachelor of Arts in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, and earned her veterinary degree from Tufts University in 2013. Following veterinary school, she completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery followed by a three-year residency in Emergency and Critical Care at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. Her clinical interests include management of sepsis and trauma, as well as respiratory emergencies. Outside of work, she enjoys playing piano and guitar, trying to find the best nachos in New Haven, and spending time with her husband, dog, and two cats.
Julia Treseder, MS, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Open Bio Dr. Julia Treseder grew up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC and earned her Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Dartmouth College. After college, she studied at the Royal Veterinary College in London for two years. She obtained her veterinary degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and then completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Louisiana State University. Dr. Treseder began her cardiology training with a one-year specialty internship at Auburn University and then completed a cardiology residency at Oregon State University. She has a particular interest in optimal medical management of heart failure, congenital heart disease, and interventional cardiology. Her other interests include running, hiking, traveling, and swimming in the ocean.
Molly Viner, DVM, DACVR
Open Bio Dr. Molly Viner received her undergraduate degree in animal science from University of Connecticut in 2013. She traded east coast for west coast and attended veterinary school at University of California, Davis, graduating in 2017. Following veterinary school, she completed a rotating equine internship at Fairfield Equine in Connecticut, where she built upon her passion for advanced imaging and ultrasound. Dr. Viner took the plunge into imaging and moved to the Midwest where she completed a one-year diagnostic imaging internship followed by a three-year radiology residency at University of Wisconsin, finishing in July 2022. Her and her husband, both originally from Connecticut, are busy getting settled in their new house in Stratford and are very excited to be back home!
Emergency and Trauma
Heather Albino, DVM
Open Bio Dr. Albino graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and earned her veterinary degree from Saint Georges University in 2011. After graduating she primarily worked in small animal medicine and periodically emergency medicine. More recently she has transitioned to practicing predominantly in emergency medicine. She rescued her dog, in Grenada when she was in veterinary school and has 2 cats that spend most of their days avidly watching the birds at the window feeders. In her free time she likes to hike with her dog, play tennis, and to travel to new places.
Marianne Freschlin, DVM
Open Bio Dr. Freschlin completed her undergraduate work at Carnegie Mellon University and obtained her Veterinary degree from Tufts University in 1993. After 3 years in general practice she decided to pursue emergency medicine exclusively. She joined us in 2001 after practicing for 5 years at an emergency hospital in Stratford. Her special interests are in exotics and wildlife.
Christopher Gargamelli, DVM
Open Bio Dr. Christopher Gargamelli is a native of Branford, CT and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science in 2000 and his DVM in 2004, both from Purdue University. Dr. Gargamelli has been an emergency clinician since 2006. He has been published in both the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. For six years, he was the program director of the veterinary technology program at Middlesex Community College and the instructor for veterinary anatomy and physiology. He has lectured on the topic of pain management for a major veterinary pharmaceutical company. Dr. Gargamelli has a passion for the veterinary profession. He has served in many roles with the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, is a past-president of the association, and currently serves as Connecticut’s alternate delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). With the AVMA, Dr. Gargamelli is a past-chairperson of the Council on Veterinary Service and currently serves on AVMA’s Political Action Committee Board. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters.
Nicole Kennedy, DVM
Open Bio Dr. Nicole Kennedy graduated with honors from University of Rhode Island, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences. Dr Kennedy graduated from the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. Dr Kennedy, has a strong interest in emergency medicine and has been actively practicing in emergency since graduation. She is a resident of Winsted, CT where she lives with her husband, J.J., her toddler twins Hailey and Lucas, and her 4 legged child Zoey, a 6 year old black Shepard mix. When She is not working, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, taking family trips and being outside and exploring New England.
Avery Krein, DVM Caroline Maguire, VMD – Emergency Room Director Tyler Roasa, DVM
Open Bio As a 2010 graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Roasa spent his first four years in general practice, followed by four years working as an emergency veterinarian before joining Central Hospital’s team in 2018. Dr. Roasa is a member of the Evidence Based Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, and American Veterinary Medical Association.
Sharon Siksay, VMD
Amanda Sterman, DVM
Open Bio
Dr. Sterman graduated from Becker College in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. She then earned her veterinary degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2018 followed by clinical training at NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She is internship trained and has a passion for emergency medicine. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, being outdoors with her dogs and horse, and traveling.
Celeste Wells, DVM
Open Bio Dr. Celeste Wells received her DVM from Tufts University in 2002. After completing a medicine and surgery internship she practiced general medicine for over 7 years. In 2009 she returned to emergency medicine and she’s been with the Central Hospital emergency service since 2014. She lives with her husband, 2 active boys, 2 goats, 7 cats, 1 African Grey Parrot, and an embarrassingly large amount of chickens. When not working she leads a 4-H poultry group and loves to garden and spend time with her family.
Diana Weston, DVM
Open Bio Diana Weston earned her DVM from Oregon State University in 1991. She moved to Connecticut to do her internship here at Central Hospital. She stayed in CT and raised a Family of 3 while practicing Veterinary medicine for the past 25 years. She has worked as both an emergency veterinarian and a relief veterinarian during this time and loves helping her patients and their people. Some of her interests outside of vet medicine include: family time, being outdoors, taekwondo, and word games.
