Murray Hill Veterinary Associates

Murray Hill Veterinary Associates welcomes you and your special pet to our full service hospital in New Providence, NJ. Our twelve veterinarians and our well trained staff members are committed to maintaining the highest standard of compassionate medical and surgical care for your dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

179 South Street
New Providence,NJ 07974
Phone: (908) 464-0664
Fax: (908) 464-4920
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Mon-Fri: 8:00am - 7:00pm
Sat: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Sun: Emergency Only
Hours by Appointment
After Hours Emergencies:
(908) 464-0664

Peter R. Brody, DVM

Veterinarian
Born in New Jersey, Dr. Peter Brody grew up in Tyler, Texas. He received his undergraduate degree from Ohio State University followed by his professional degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State in 1978. After working for one year at an Ohio practice, Dr. Brody returned to New Jersey in 1979 to join Badgley Memorial Animal Hospital in New Providence. In 1997 he left to form Murray Hill Veterinary Associates with his partners Dr. Christopher Bukata and Dr. Nancy Darby. He enjoys general medicine and connecting with his clients. Dr. Brody lives in Gillette with his wife Ellen. Their older son Matthew lives in Manhattan. Their younger son Eric lives in Brooklyn writing music, while working for Guitar Center. In his spare time, Dr. Brody enjoys yard work. Additionally, he is a volunteer for Creature Comfort Pet Therapy with Kevin, his Border Terrier. Together they visit people at Morristown Memorial Hospital and Troy Hills Nursing Home.
Nancy A. Darby, DVM

Veterinarian
Four years employment as a veterinary technician in Virginia preceded Dr. Nancy Darby entering the Maryland-Virginia Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1988. The birth of her second son Patrick delayed the start of her first part-time position at Badgley Memorial Hospital in New Providence. She worked there until Murray Hill Veterinary Associates was formed in 1997, joining partners Dr. Peter Brody and Dr. Christopher Bukata. Dr. Darby enjoys practicing medicine and surgery for small mammals, cats and dogs. She lives in Summit with her husband John. Her daughter Irene is attending Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her son Pat is living and making music in Missoula, Montana while son Matt is happily employed as an actuary in Birmingham, Alabama. At home Dr. Darby enjoys her dog Bentley and her two cats Lidia and Henry.
Eric R. Christensen, DVM

Veterinarian
Following graduation from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999, Dr. Eric Christensen completed an internship in emergency medicine and surgery at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital, a large regional referral center in Springfield, MA. He returned to Cornell and served on the veterinary faculty for three years teaching anatomy, physiology, emergency medicine and small animal surgery and medicine. Dr. Christensen joined MHVA in 2003. His particular veterinary interests include emergency medicine, pain management and shelter medicine. Dr. Christensen lives with his wife Cory and young children Luke and Madeleine in Readington Township. Two cats, Geronimo and Captain Jack, and Ford the golden retriever mix round out the family. He enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, woodworking, exercising and gardening.
Douglas J. Heacock, VMD

Veterinarian
A native of southern New Jersey, Dr. Douglas Heacock received his B.A. degree at Swarthmore College followed by his V.M.D. degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1979. Having worked 23 years at an area hospital, Dr. Heacock joined MHVA in 2005, attracted by the “hometown vet” feel of the practice. Along with general medicine and surgery for cats, dogs and exotic pets, Dr. Heacock has expanded the capabilities of MHVA with his expertise in chemotherapy, avian medicine and management of the hospital website and social media. He lives in Chatham Township with his husband Brian and their cats Guinevere and Selkie. He is an avid contra dancer, organizing Swingin’ Tern Dances held twice monthly in East Hanover since 1984. He enjoys traditional and Celtic folk music, gardening, his koi ponds, photography and computer graphics.
Loree Flora, DVM

Veterinarian
Dr. Loree Flora cannot remember a time in her life when she wanted to be anything other than a veterinarian. Dr. Flora graduated from Cook College, Rutgers University with a bachelor of science in Animal Science. She then attended Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduation, Dr. Flora worked in New Hampshire on cows and horses as well as dogs and cats. Eventually, she decided she missed New Jersey and preferred working with small animal patients. She happily joined MHVA in early 2007 and is glad to be able to focus on her interests in small animal internal medicine and surgery. She enjoys spending her free time cooking, reading, exercising, and horseback riding.
Jennifer A. Dobson, VMD

Veterinarian
Born and raised in New Jersey, Dr. Jennifer Dobson left the state for her education and to work for two years at a veterinary practice in Pittsburgh, then returned to MHVA in 2008. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. She worked for four years in central New Jersey before joining MHVA in 2001. She currently works part-time on Tuesdays, Fridays, and every third Saturday so that she can spend time with her twins Lindsey and Geoffrey. Dr. Dobson enjoys hiking, running, and playing tennis with her family. She tried to take up golf with her husband but with 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 guinea pigs, gerbils, and the fish, ran out of time.
Michael H. Charney, DVM

Veterinarian
Dr. Michael Charney was born and raised in Westfield New Jersey. At a very early age, he knew that he would dedicate his life to the well being of animals. Dr. Charney graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Animal Sciences and continued directly onto Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine. He then completed a yearlong internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital in New Jersey. He joined Murray Hill in 2011.
Marc J. Horwitz, DVM

Veterinarian
Dr. Marc Horwitz has recently returned to his home state of New Jersey, after spending a number of years throughout the United States and the Caribbean. Dr. Horwitz obtained his undergraduate degree from Penn State University, his veterinary degree from Ross University and completed his clinical training at Louisiana State University. After spending a short time in general practice, Dr. Horwitz chose to pursue advanced training, and completed a general internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists and an oncology internship at the Animal Medical Center, both located in New York City. Dr. Horwitz joined the Murray Hill team in 2014, and is thrilled to have found a practice to call home. He maintains strong interests in oncology, internal medicine and pain management. In his spare time, Dr. Horwitz enjoys spectator sports, cooking, eating, and spending time with his wife, Rachel, and their dog Molly.
Keira L. Hartstein, DVM

Veterinarian
Originally from upstate New York, Dr. Keira Hartstein graduated from Vassar College in 2006 with a degree in biochemistry and received her DVM from Cornell University in 2010. After vet school, she was in south Florida for an internship at an exclusively exotic animal private practice. Preferring colder weather, she moved to New Jersey in 2011 and worked at a small animal practice in Edison prior to starting at MHVA in 2017. She is happy to have joined the Murray Hill Vets team and see any species of animal that can walk or slither in the door. She shares her home with her husband, 3 cats, a Senegal parrot, and a garter snake, and has had ferrets and geckos in the past. Outside of work, she participates in Scottish country dance and gained her full teaching certificate from the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in May 2015. She also enjoys vintage ballroom dance and costuming as well as strategic board games.
Linda M. Pedro, DVM

Veterinarian
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. She 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, with her joining the Murray Hill team in 2018.
When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, painting and small art projects, visiting NYC, and traveling.
Elena McComas, BVMS

Veterinarian
Dr. Elena McComas graduated from the College of St. Elizabeth with a B.S. in Biology. She then attended the University of Glasgow in Scotland where she earned her B.V.M.S. and is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. McComas is a lifelong resident of New Jersey. With a strong interest in pain management, Dr. McComas offers Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in addition to, and as adjunctive therapy for, Western Medicine. She earned her acupuncture certification at the Chi Institute in Reddick, Florida. She also works with herbal and food therapies.
She and her husband, Tim, welcomed their daughter, Aisling, in 2014. Their cats Fig and Newton help to make their house a home. Her hobbies include baking, music, partaking in outdoor activities, gardening, and Isshinryu karate, in which she has a third-degree black belt.