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Staff Role: Veterinarian - Specialist

Simone March, BVM&S, DACVR

Veterinarian - Specialist

Dr. March brings a strong and diverse background in veterinary medicine. She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Edinburgh and went on to complete a diagnostic imaging residency, developing expertise in advanced imaging modalities including ultrasound, CT, and MRI. Her clinical experience spans both equine and small animal medicine, with a particular passion for equine sports medicine and imaging. Dr. March’s path into veterinary medicine is both unique and inspiring.

Before pursuing her DVM, she worked in behavioral research and addiction studies, but ultimately followed her longstanding passion for working with animals—especially horses. Her career has taken her from New Jersey to Scotland, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, shaping her into a well-rounded clinician and educator.

Molly Allen, DVM, DACVAA

Veterinarian - Specialist

Dr. Allen is a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist (DACVAA) with a background in private practice and clinical leadership. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her residency in anesthesia and pain management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After completing her residency, Dr. Allen practiced in specialty hospitals in Milwaukee and Boston, where she gained experience managing complex anesthetic cases, implementing evidence-based pain management protocols, and training veterinary staff across multiple specialties. She later transitioned into a leadership role based in Connecticut, supporting clinical teams and advancing standards of care across multiple hospitals throughout the northeast US.

Dr. Allen has a particular interest in pain management and regional anesthesia techniques, as well as anesthetic management of critically ill patients. She is passionate about promoting patient safety, comfort, and outcomes through individualized anesthetic care, team education, and multispecialty collaboration.

Samantha Monck, DVM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Small Animal

Veterinarian - Specialist

Dr. Samantha Monck is a Veterinary Surgeon at Pieper Veterinary, practicing with a focus on small animal surgery. She joined the Pieper team in September 2025. Originally from Orange, Connecticut, Dr. Monck brings advanced surgical training and a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to every case.

Dr. Monck earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont in 2015 before completing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Colorado State University in 2019. She went on to complete a small animal surgery internship from 2021 to 2022, followed by a small animal surgery residency from 2022 to 2025 at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her additional training includes advanced coursework in arthroscopy, minimally invasive surgery, and fracture management.

Outside of work, Dr. Monck enjoys spending time outdoors with her fiancé, Elliot, especially running, biking, kayaking, and hiking. She shares her home with two pets: Lucy, an 8-year-old female gray tabby cat, and Murph, a 5-month-old male Pointer/Hound mix who keeps her on her toes.

Special Interests:

  • Gastrointestinal, thoracic, and laparoscopic surgery
  • Intracorporeal gastropexy

Brigid Lemburg, DVM, DACVECC

Veterinarian - Specialist

Dr. Brigid Lemburg is a board-certified Criticalist at Pieper Veterinary. She joined the team in September 2025 and brings advanced training and a deep commitment to caring for critically ill patients. Originally from Iowa, Dr. Lemburg is passionate about helping patients recover through the most challenging moments of illness and injury.

Dr. Lemburg earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Iowa in 2016 before completing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Iowa State University in 2020. She went on to complete an internship and residency at the University of Wisconsin from 2020 to 2024, achieving board certification in veterinary emergency and critical care.

Dr. Lemburg finds the greatest fulfillment in seeing critical care patients recover and watching their personalities and joy return. Outside of work, she shares her home with her cat, Stanley, whom she proudly describes as the most perfect thing ever.

Special Interests:

  • Management of polytrauma
  • Sepsis

Zach Stillman, DVM

Veterinarian- Specialist

Dr. Zachary Stillman is a Veterinarian practicing Emergency and Critical Care at Pieper Veterinary. He joined the team in September 2025 after completing a small animal rotating internship at Pieper Memorial. Originally from the Hudson Valley region of New York, Dr. Stillman brings a strong foundation in emergency medicine and a compassionate, thoughtful approach to patient care.

Dr. Stillman earned his Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology from Mercy College in 2016 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University in 2021. He went on to complete a residency in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care at Pieper Memorial from 2022 to 2025. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS).

Dr. Stillman lives in Rhode Island with his partner, Cilicia, and their chihuahua, Pancho. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, playing video games, and hiking.

Special Interests:

  • Trauma management
  • Ultrasonography
  • Hospice and palliative care
Full name and credentials as you would like them on the site: Zachary Stillman, DVM
Official job title: Veterinarian, Practice Limited to Emergency and Critical Care
When did you begin working at Pieper?: September 2025
Where you are originally from: Hudson Valley region of New York
College(s) attended and year graduated (NOT REQUIRED FOR NON-DOCTORS): Bachelors degree in Veterinary Technology, Mercy College 2016
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University 2021
Small Animal Rotating Internship at Pieper Memorial
Subjects you studied in addition to veterinary courses:
Residency Information: Residency in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care 2022-2025
Other schooling information:
Clinical/Special Interests: Trauma Management
Ultrasonography
Hospice/palliative care
Special accomplishments in field:
Professional affiliations: AVMA
VECCS
Non-medical affiliations:
Family/personal info you’d like to share: Living in Rhode Island with my partner Cilicia and our dog Pancho
Your pets: Geriatric epileptic chihuahua named Pancho
Interesting background or hobbies: Reading
Video games
Hiking

Michael Hitt, DVM, Practice Limited to Surgery

Veterinarian - Specialist

Dr. Michael Hitt is a Surgery Resident who has been with Pieper Veterinary starting in the summer of 2021. Originally from Albany, NY, Dr. Hitt graduated from the College of Saint Rose with a Bachelors of Science in Biology, and obtained his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Louisiana State University in 2020. He completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine at Cornell University and an internship in small animal surgery at Pieper Veterinary. He has clinical interests in emergency surgery and fracture repairs and management.

During veterinary school Dr. Hitt adopted his husky mix “Thatcher,” who has been by his side through all of his subsequent training and education. When not at work, he enjoys snowboarding, jet skiing, working on his car, and spending time with Thatcher.

Special Interests:

  • Emergency surgery
  • Fracture repair and management

Christine Ruffin, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Christine Ruffin, BVM&S MRCVS, is an associate veterinarian undertaking a year-long internship with our specialty surgery department. Originally from just outside of Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Ruffin earned her Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University before completing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University in 2024. She then completed a small animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia, where she honed her skills in a variety of clinical disciplines. Her professional interests include surgical oncology, emergency surgery, and clinical research.

Dr. Ruffin is passionate about the human-animal bond and takes pride in being able to support both pets and their families during critical and often emotional moments. She especially values the unique relationships formed with her patients and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their lives. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys spending time with her Brittany spaniel-English setter mix, Lucee – whom she adopted during vet school – reading on the beach, and horseback riding whenever she gets the chance.

Special Interests:

  • Emergency surgery
  • Surgical oncology
  • Clinical research

Chloe Fan, BVM&S MRCVS

Veterinarian

Dr. Chloe Fan, BVM&S MRCVS, is an associate veterinarian undertaking a year-long internship with our specialty surgery department. Born in Toronto, Ontario, and raised between Toronto and Hong Kong, Dr. Fan earned her B.Sc. in Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph in 2020 and went on to graduate with distinction from the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 2024. Following veterinary school, she completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at VCA Loomis Basin in Sacramento, California.

Dr. Fan’s clinical interests lie in emergency and soft tissue surgery, and she is RECOVER CPR certified in Advanced Life Support. A lifelong animal lover, she knew early on she was destined to become a veterinarian, but it was witnessing her first canine splenectomy in high school that kickstarted her passion for surgery. She takes pride in making a tangible difference in her patients’ wellbeing and helping her community through skilled and compassionate care. Outside the clinic, Dr. Fan enjoys traveling (especially to Scotland), backcountry canoeing, camping, skiing, watercolor painting, and playing video games. She shares her life with two beloved rescue cats, Fish (“Just Fish”) and Goose (“Silly Canadian Goose”), adopted as kittens during her internship year.

Special Interests:

  • Emergency surgery
  • Soft tissue surgery

Ariane Jay, DVM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Small Animal

Veterinarian - Specialist

Dr. Ariane R. Jay has been a Veterinary Surgeon with Pieper Veterinary since 2014 and specializes in a variety of surgeries, including head and neck, minimally invasive, gastrointestinal, and thoracic.

Dr. Jay received her BA from Oberlin College in 2000, where she studied anthropology and dance, followed by her post-bac in 2006 from Hunter College in NY. Dr. Jay received her DVM from Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. She is a member of the ACVS, AVMA, and CVMA. Following her education, Dr. Jay completed both a Small Animal Rotating Internship and a Small Animal Surgery Residency at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine.

At home, Dr. Jay spends time with her son, Kiran and daughter, Asha. They have two dogs: a cattle dog mix named Oakley, and Everest, a German shepherd dog. Before becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Jay pursued a career as a modern dancer. She loves hiking, reading, and watching movies, but most of all, she loves cuddling her patients and working to save their lives to return them to their families.

Special Interests:

  • Head and neck surgery
  • Thoracic surgery
  • Minimally invasive techniques
  • Gastrointestinal procedures

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