Clinicians

John Pigott, DVM, MS, DACVS

• Board Certified Surgery Specialist
• Hospital Director
• Radiation Safety Officer

• Biosecurity Officer

  

Dr. John Pigott is a specialist veterinary surgeon and 2009 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University.  He completed his equine surgery residency training at The Ohio State University and has performed research in equine orthopedics, regenerative medicine and upper airway disorders.  Before moving to CRES, Dr. Pigott was employed by a private practice referral hospital in Wisconsin where he worked in both elective and emergency orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, advanced imaging and lameness. Dr. Pigott joined the team at CRES in 2015 and has notable expertise in orthopedic surgery, upper airway surgery, complicated lameness, advanced imaging and regenerative medicine.  He has an extensive history as a competitor in the hunter/jumper field, and utilizes this unique knowledge daily as he approaches cases across disciplines.  As a recognized specialist, Dr. Pigott is an invited speaker at both national and international conferences on the topics of orthopedics, regenerative medicine, and lameness. 

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Dr. Santiago Mejia, DVM, DACVS-LA

• Board Certified Surgery Specialist

Dr. Santiago Mejia is joining CRES as another full time surgeon, covering orthopedics, soft tissue, lameness/imaging and emergency. Dr. Mejia grew up in Colombia, riding Paso Fino and Quarter horses. He has professional veterinary experience from Kentucky, North Carolina, and was a previous intern at Cornell Ruffian. His recent research examined ortho-biologics as potential disease modifying drugs for the treatment of equine osteoarthritis. His professional interests include equine upper airway surgery, minimally invasive surgery, lameness and advanced imaging. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids.

2025-2026 CRES Interns

(From Left to Right) 

Dr. Zwiebel grew up in Tel Aviv, Israel, and graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest. She's particularly passionate about large animal surgery and finds emergency and critical care cases both challenging and rewarding. She is very excited to be part of the team and looks forward to pursuing a large animal surgery residency in the future. When she's not a work, she loves spending time outdoors hiking, horseback riding, and show jumping, having competed internationally and earning the title of Champion of the State of Israel. Aside from riding, she enjoys practicing yoga, playing tennis, going to the theater, and running. 

Dr. Carello is originally from Southeastern Massachusetts and grew up as an active 4H member and riding predominantly hunters/jumpers. After attending UMass Amherst for a year, he went on to complete his veterinary degree at the University of Bristol, in England. Following graduation, he completed an Equine Rotating Internship at the University of Missouri. Dr. Carello's clinical interest include soft tissue surgery, medical, and surgical colic and emergency medicine. Outside of work Noah enjoys riding, hiking, and spending time with friends.

Dr. Hallsten grew up riding in Sacramento, California. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of California, Berkeley before graduating with her veterinary degree from the University of California, Davis in 2024. After graduation, she completed a one-year Large Animal Medicine and Surgery Internship at Texas A&M University. She's interested in all facets of large animal surgery with a particular interest in emergency and critical care. She's excited to be a part of the CRES team and plans to pursue a large animal surgery residency. While she's not at work, she loves to hang out with her dog, read fiction books, and spend time at the gym.

Dr. Mergl graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest. He solidified his surgical foundation by completing a surgery internship at the world-renowned Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Kentucky. This advanced training provided him with invaluable experience in high-level surgical care and complex case management. Mark's current goal is to secure a competitive surgery residency position. He is actively pursuing this as a dedicated Cornell Ruffian member, focusing on continuously developing his skills in his key areas of interest: orthopedic surgery, dentistry, and reproductive surgery. Outside the clinic, Mark maintains a strong focus on physical and outdoor pursuits, enjoying arm wrestling, fishing, and various other outdoor activities. 

Meet Our Staff

Jill Nordberg: Practice Manager, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Jill grew up in the thumb of Michigan riding and showing Arabians and working on her family's cash crop/hog farm. She attended Michigan State University and received her Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology. Upon graduation she moved to Lexington, Kentucky and worked at a high volume equine practice where she furthered her interest in anesthesia, surgery and MRI. After getting married she moved to Long Island, NY and started working for Dr. James Hunt at Belmont Park when the opportunity to work with Cornell presented itself after their acquisition of Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists. She soon joined Cornell's team and assisted with the opening and operating of the facility. She quickly moved into the role of Practice Manager and also performs technical duties such as anesthesia and patient care. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her three daughters and riding her horse.

Kaley Rave: Customer Service Representative

Kaley is one of our Customer Service Representatives here at CRES. She is a friendly face to everyone who comes into or calls the hospital and joined the CRES team in 2018. She has always loved horses, and rode when she was younger. Both of Kaley’s daughters have inherited her love of horses, her oldest even has a horse of her own, a rescued thoroughbred named Falcon. When she’s not working, Kaley loves to be with her family and spend time outside gardening.

Emily Murphy: Customer Service Representative

Emily was born in Florida and began riding and showing Morgans at an early age. After moving to Long Island in 2008, she transitioned to the Hunter/Jumper discipline, showing her horse JD in the Children’s Hunters and competing on an IEA team. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of South Carolina, where she was a member and officer of the university’s IHSA Equestrian Team. After graduation, Emily worked for an animal health pharmaceutical company and later in advertising technology, gaining valuable experience in marketing, client relations, and operations. Her lifelong passion for horses ultimately brought her back to the animal health field, where she now plays an integral role at Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists. Emily assists with client communications, marketing initiatives, and hospital operations, as well as ordering and maintaining all hospital inventory to ensure seamless daily function and patient care. Outside of work, Emily enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and going out with her dog, Teddy

Katelyn Brooks: Licensed Veterinary Technician

Kate first developed her love for horses while taking lessons and competing as a young rider. Before coming to CRES in 2017, she spent 7 years taking care of and training horses in Suffolk County. During this time, she found herself drawn to sport horse medicine and rehabilitation. This led her to pursue a career in equine veterinary medicine. While working in Suffolk County, Kate was able to adopt and retire an OTTB turned lesson horse, Baylee. She also repurposed a second OTTB, Copee. Kate spends her time away from work riding her horses, taking family motorcycle trips, and spending time with her husband, Dan and growing family.

Martyn Blackmore: Licensed Veterinary Technician

Martyn Grew up around horses and had his first pony ride at 5 months old and never looked back. He competed for many years in the Westchester, Dutchess, and Long Island show circuits with his childhood barn, Pelham Bit Stables in the Bronx. When he was finished competing, Martyn worked as a trail guide and a riding instructor. His deep love of animals fueled his pursuit for a career in caring for them. After receiving his veterinary technicians license Martyn worked in small animal care until he found his way to Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists Hospital in 2019, which he describes as his dream job.

Abigail Savage: Licensed Veterinary Technician

Abigail joined our team of Licensed Veterinary Technicians in January 2022. Originally from Northern New York, she graduated with a Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Biology from SUNY Potsdam in 2017 and an Associate's degree in Veterinary Science Technology from SUNY Canton in 2020. Abigail began her career in small animal veterinary medicine in 2020. Since the age of 9, she has trained in the English discipline, riding both recreationally and competitively in the jumper division. She owned an OTTB named Jailbreak (aka Wings) and has an adopted cat named Smudge. In her free time Abigail and her fiancé Mike enjoy hiking and snowboarding and she is very excited to begin this new chapter of her life here on Long Island.

Hallie Zdenek: Licensed Veterinary Technician, CERP

Hallie was born and raised on Long Island. She knew from a very young age that she wanted to spend as much time around animals as she could, especially horses. She started riding at the age of 10 and has been around them ever since. Hallie gained much knowledge and experience from interning with equine clinics while pursuing her degree in veterinary technology from the University of New Hampshire. She graduated in May of 2022, and started her career with horses when she joined the CRES team in June of 2022. Hallie is now one of our licensed veterinary technicians and is also an certified equine rehabilitation practitioner. When not at work Hallie spends most of her free time with her dogs, at the beach or traveling.

Olivia Lee Curry: Licensed Veterinary Technician

Olivia was born and raised in Long Island and fell in love with horses at a young age. Her grandparents had a summer home in Delhi, NY where she began riding at the age of 5 and eventually went to college at SUNY Delhi. She graduated with a bachelors degree for veterinary technology. She has worked in small animal medicine since 2015 and joined the CRES team in February of 2023. In her free time she enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding and going to the off-road beach.

Krista Baris: Licensed Veterinary Technician

Krista's love for animals started long before her career in veterinary medicine. Growing up surrounded by animals, she developed a special interest in equine care. She has two OTTBs of her own, Wren and Enzo, who keep her busy and happy when she is away from work. Having dabbled in different riding disciplines, Krista found her heart in the jumper ring. When she's not at the barn, she divides her time between family, her horses, and crafting. Her young son has already developed a love for horses and large animals, happily tagging along for barn adventures. Krista is excited to continue her journey at Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists and loves being part of a team that shares her passion for horses. 

Jerome Jackson: Animal Attendant

Jack started with CRES in early 2015 and joined the animal attendant team. He is a Kentucky native and has worked with horses for decades and is very interested in maintaining the standard of daily care that they require. When not at work Jack enjoys following the racing industry and time with his family.

Juan Munt: Animal Attendant

Juan was born in Lima, Peru. He started his career at Belmont Park in 1997. During his 25 years at the track, Juan worked a variety of roles for several prominent trainers. He spent the latter half of those years working as a foreman for one of the top trainers in the country. His experience has provided him with a wealth of knowledge and has perpetuated his genuine passion for horses. Juan started at Cornell Ruffian in January of 2022 as one of our barn attendants. His compassion and love of horses is evident in everything that he does here. Juan makes himself available to assist any and every member of our team and always does so with a smile.