Meet The Team
Our Dedicated Team of Doctors
Elissa Allen, VMD
Dr. Allen was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She attended the University of Pittsburgh and graduated in 2000. In 2006, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a veterinary medical degree. She worked as an emergency room doctor at PVS for about 10 years before transitioning into general practice at Munhall Vet Hospital in 2016. In her free time, Dr. Allen loves to work out, travel, and spend time with her family.
Jennifer Cohen, DVM
Dr. Cohen is a California native who graduated from UC Berkeley and has traveled the world serving in Paraguay as a Peace Corps Volunteer to finishing her DVM degree in the Caribbean from Ross University. She has a deep love of zoo, wildlife and exotic medicine which stems from her short time in wildlife rehab and zoo-keeping. She loves her friends and family including her two pups, Bourbon and Goose, and is excited to continue caring for all creatures at Munhall Vet.
Maria Gorka, VMD
Dr. Maria Gorka joined Munhall Veterinary Hospital in 2021. Dr. Gorka graduated from the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school and has previously worked as a veterinarian in a mixed animal practice and a high volume spay and neuter clinic. She was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and completed her bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Biochemistry from Case Western Reserve University. In her spare time, Dr. Gorka enjoys hiking, traveling, and visiting national parks.
John Stoner, DVM
Dr. Stoner graduated from Vet school at Cornell University in 1985. He recently purchased Munhall Veterinary Hospital and plans to practice there on a limited basis, primarily working in an advisory role for t
he younger practitioners. Dr. Stoner owned and operated three animal hospitals for 25 years in Central Pennsylvania but sold his interest in them in late 2015.
Realizing he missed the challenges and rewards of practice ownership and mentoring younger practitioners, Dr. Stoner decided to purchase the Munhall practice from Ron Bezak in May 2016. Still residing in Central Pennsylvania with his wife, 20 cows, 2 chickens, 2 dogs and a cat, he makes frequent visits to the Pittsburgh area to work at the hospital and visit with his son, daughter-in-law and grandson.
Veterinarian Technicians
Each staff member at Munhall Veterinary Hospital has attended and graduated from a veterinary technical program. Our staff members are also cross trained for front desk receptionist duties. You will see our staff members in each role, from answering phones, to trimming toe nails or assisting in surgery.
- Dana Blazer
- Tammy Grimm
- Megan Nemcik
- Vittoria Paiano
- Stephanie Pahnke
- Cathy Pellasce
- Stephanie Peterson
- Jillian Orris
- Jordan Stephenson
- Kristina Tyrrell
Office Staff
Morgan Diaz, Office Manager
Morgan was born and raised in Central Pennsylvania and received a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Shippensburg University. Morgan moved to Pittsburgh with her husband in 2010 and attended graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh, obtaining a master’s degree in Public Administration in April 2013. When she is not at the hospital, you will find her spending time with her husband and children.