We are committed to being leaders in specialty veterinary medicine and urgent care, both as skilled practitioners and as deeply compassionate pet lovers. We strive to advance our knowledge and skill sets through continuing education and practicing evidence based medicine. At UVPP, our priority is communicating transparently and empathetically with pet parents so they can make the right choices for their animal family members.
Our dedicated team works collaboratively with your regular veterinarian to provide the best outcome for your pet. Get to know our team better below!
Michaela Gruenheid
DVM, MS, DACVS (SA)
Board-Certified Surgeon, Owner
Dr. Michaela Gruenheid attended Veterinary School at Szent Istvan University in Budapest, Hungary, and Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, Germany. While attending veterinary school, Dr. Gruenheid participated in externships at NC State, The Ohio State University, and private specialty hospitals in California. She then pursued the ECFVG to become licensed in the United States while working at hospitals in Germany. Dr. Gruenheid was accepted into a surgical research fellowship at Michigan State University and a surgical internship at Washington State University. After that, she pursued a small animal surgery residency and earned her Master’s from The Ohio State University.
Dr. Gruenheid has extensive experience in brachycephalic airway disease, cancer surgery, and orthopedic surgery. She enjoys challenging cases that others often shy away from. Outside work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their 2 Rhodesian Ridgeback girls, traveling, yoga, and skiing.
Marina Mavromatis
DVM, DACVR
Board-Certified Radiologist, Owner
Dr. Marina Mavromatis graduated from the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She also completed a residency in diagnostic imaging at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine to become a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology in 2017.
While she appreciates all aspects of diagnostic imaging, she particularly enjoys teaching, musculoskeletal imaging, and imaging-guided procedures. She contributes to the future of veterinary medicine by providing locum contracts to universities and has published peer-reviewed research in Veterinary Education. Unlike many other radiologists, Marina looks forward to meeting with clients to discuss imaging results during outpatient appointments and can partner with your primary care veterinarian to help determine the best next steps for your pets.
Marina and her husband, Michael, enjoy traveling the world by cruise ship or hopping in a small plane for quick flights (Michael is a licensed pilot). When they aren’t traveling, they enjoy visiting local gardens, wineries, breweries, and locally-owned restaurants. They share their home with many furred, feathered, and scaled pets and you may have spotted the 325-gallon semi-aggressive saltwater FOWLR tank in some of our UVPP videos!
Jennifer West
VMD
Medical Director, Owner
Dr. Jennifer West attended Veterinary School at the University of Pennsylvania. During veterinary school, she engaged in various roles such as student nurse and Pet Grief Support Helpline counselor, and organized therapy dog visits to the Ronald McDonald House. Dr. West was accepted into a rotating internal medicine and soft tissue surgery internship at Louisiana State University. During this time, she conducted research that resulted in her first-author publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal and dedicated free time to volunteering at a low-cost spay and neuter clinic.
Dr. West has years of experience working in 24/7 specialty hospitals as an emergency doctor and has also been the medical director of a prior practice. She finds great joy in speaking at professional conferences, making informative videos for pet parents, and mentoring students pursuing careers in veterinary medicine and doctors who are expanding their skill sets.
When not at work, Dr. West enjoys traveling abroad, spending time with her family, and outdoor adventures including hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, and snowboarding. Her furbabies include a Catahoula Leopard Dog mix, a ball python, and an eyelash-crested gecko.
Brittany Jones
CVT
Practice Manager
Brittany graduated with a degree in veterinary technology in May 2014, and passed her boards to become a Certified Veterinary Technician in November 2014. She has worked in multiple different areas of veterinary medicine- general practice, surgery / anesthesia, urgent care, and emergency / critical care. She is a member of the Emergency & Critical Care Society.
In her free time, Brittany enjoys spending time with her two kids, Bennett & Nora, and her husband, Steffen. She has 2 dogs (a pit bull and a beagle mix) and 3 cats (one is a tripod!) and very much enjoys their company. She is an avid foster for a rescue organization. She enjoys reading, playing softball, and making crafts with her Cricut.
Rory
CVT & Inventory Manager
Rory is a Certified Veterinary Technician with over 15 years of experience in emergency and critical care. Rory is RECOVER-certified in basic and advanced life support and holds Fear Free Elite certification. She’s also our Inventory Manager, keeping our hospital running smoothly behind the scenes. Rory brings both compassion and precision to every case—and every supply order.
Jess
CVT
Jess is a Certified Veterinary Technician with a sharp focus on surgical care and anesthesia. With extensive experience monitoring patients from induction through recovery, she plays a vital role in our surgery service. Fear Free Certified and a standout graduate of Harcum College, Jess blends technical skill with a calm, compassionate touch—keeping pets safe and comfortable every step of the way.
Krista
veterinary assistant
Krista is a veterinary assistant who brings curiosity and enthusiasm to every case, promoting a comprehensive approach to patient care. Committed to advancing her clinical skills and knowledge, Krista is enrolled in a veterinary technician certification program. Krista especially enjoys scrubbing into surgical procedures and learning about disease processes.
Kat
veterinary assistant
Kat is a Veterinary Assistant with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Cornell University and a minor in Horticulture, specializing in botanical arts. She brings valuable experience from veterinary urgent care and emergency hospitals across NYC. She has a strong passion for surgery, especially assisting with C-sections and fracture repairs. Kat is known for her problem-solving skills and creative approach to patient care—bringing artistry to bandaging.
Maria
veterinary assistant
Maria is a veterinary assistant with a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Penn State. Prior to joining us, Maria gained hands-on experience in general practice as a kennel attendant and expanded her clinical skills in shelter medicine. Maria is especially passionate about scrubbing into surgeries and assisting with urgent care cases. Committed to advancing her skills, Maria is pursuing a DVM degree to deepen her impact in clinical veterinary work.
Maura
veterinary assistant
Maura is a Veterinary Assistant with a lifelong passion for animals. She holds degrees in Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience, focusing on animal behavior. Currently pursuing her CVT certification, Maura has experience in kennel management, play supervision, and primary care. She enjoys assisting with ultrasounds, helping keep pets calm during procedures.
Jenna
client service representative
Jenna is a client service representative who brings strong organizational skills and a calm, professional presence to our front desk team. She excels at managing schedules, supporting families through important care decisions, and ensuring each visit is seamless from start to finish. With a talent for balancing detail-oriented work with compassionate communication, Jenna helps create a supportive and efficient experience for every client we serve.
Molly
client service representative
Molly is a client service representative who brings a dynamic background in sales, customer service, and healthcare support to her role at our front desk. With experience ranging from hospital account management to fashion retail, she is skilled at making every interaction feel personal. A Penn State graduate with a degree in marketing, Molly helps create a welcoming, organized, and compassionate experience for every pet parent.