About our Veterinarians
Dr. Jared Coren
Education: Cornell University
Dr. Jared Coren is proud to be a part of the West Hills team and the medical director of the West Hills Family of Hospitals. Being the son of Dr. Alan Coren, he grew up going to work with his dad and has filled a variety of roles at West Hills Animal Hospital over the years. He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from Cornell University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He then pursued his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University, graduating in the Top 10% of his class. Dr. Jared was inducted into the Phi Zeta Honor Society as a third year veterinary student, an honor reserved for the top ranked members in the class. While in veterinary school, Dr. Jared was a two-time award winner of the Finger Lakes Kennel Club Award, an award given to a student that displayed a strong interest in purebred dogs. He was also awarded the AKC Veterinary Outreach Award for his dedication to the health and well-being of companion animals. As a 4th year veterinary student Dr. Jared received The Neuroanatomy and Clinical Neurology Award for his outstanding expertise and interest in Neurology.
After veterinary school, Dr. Jared pursued an internship in medicine and surgery at the prestigious Animal Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Jared has a strong interest in Ophthalmology, Internal Medicine (especially endocrine disorders), and Reproduction. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New York Veterinary Medical Society, and the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Jared has been nominated for Best Veterinarian on Long Island from 2014-2019. He currently lives in New York City with his wife, Jessica, daughter, Dylan, and Rhodesian Ridgeback, Kobe.
Dr. Elizabeth Goodland
Education: Tufts University
Dr. Beth Goodland was born and raised on Long Island. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware with a double major in Animal Biosciences and Agriculture. During this time, she also spent time working with a number of local organizations on Long Island with animals of all shapes and sizes. Dr. Goodland then attended Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine where she completed a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine. She pursued further training by completing a one-year small animal internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey. Dr. Goodland shares her home with 3 cats, 1 dog and 1 rabbit. Her professional interests include emergency medicine and exotic companion mammal medicine. In her free time she enjoys indoor rock climbing, hiking and spending time with her family.
Dr. Diana Pirolo
Education: Ross University, Oklahoma State University
Dr. Pirolo has a BS in Animal Science from the University of Vermont and graduated from the Ross University or Veterinary Medicine in 2015. She attended her clinical rotations in Oklahoma State University. Prior to joining West Hills Animal Hospital & Emergency Center, Dr. Pirolo worked at CVA Hauppauge Animal Hospital for a number of years. She has two Caribbean street dogs (also known as Coconut Retrievers) adopted from St. Kitts: Missy and Homer. Dr. Pirolo enjoys traveling, relaxing in hammocks, dancing and more specifically, competitive ballroom dancing.
Dr. Stacey Ries
Education: Cornell University
Dr. Stacey A. Ries is a graduate of Cornell University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science in 1991 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1995. Dr. Ries grew up in the Adirondacks but has been practicing on Long Island since 1998. While the focus of Dr. Ries’ career has been providing exceptional client and patient care in General Small Animal Practice, she has also worked in Emergency/ Critical Care settings and spent two very rewarding years in Shelter Medicine as a staff veterinarian at The Michigan Humane Society in Detroit.
When not at work, Dr. Ries enjoys gardening, alpine mountaineering, ice climbing, Obstacle Course Racing and spending time with her family. She currently “shares her home with” (code phrase for “lives to serve”) five guinea pigs, a former junkyard cat named Opie and an intolerably spoiled Beagle Mutt named Thelma.
Dr. Silvia Rodriguez
Education: Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala
Dr. Rodriguez was born in New Orleans, LA and was raised in Guatemala City. She attended veterinary school at Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, the only veterinary school in the country. After graduating from vet school she worked in Guatemala’s national zoo La Aurora as a veterinarian for 5 years. Dr. Rodriguez moved to Mississippi where she worked as a veterinary technician while obtaining certification by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) through the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG). Dr. Rodriguez then did two small animal internships prior to joining our hospital as a staff veterinarian. Outside of work, Dr. Rodriguez enjoys outdoor activities and watching sports with her dog Chino who she raised since he was 2 weeks old.
Dr. Jason Siegelheim
Education: University of Florida
Dr. Jason Siegelheim grew up in Dix Hills, New York. He attended Cornell University, where he earned a BS in Animal Science in 2008. He went on to study at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, where he gained experience in both small and exotic animal medicine, graduating in 2012.
Dr. Siegelheim went on to spend four and a half years working at Central Animal Hospital in Scarsdale, New York. There, he cared for dogs, cats, rabbits and exotic pets, including birds, reptiles and all types of small mammals. He also worked with wildlife brought in by the Greenburgh Nature Center staff, local wildlife rehabilitators and the Greenburgh Police. Since November 2014, Dr. Siegelheim has also provided veterinary services at the City of Yonkers Animal Shelter, where he performs spays, neuters and other surgeries on adopted dogs and cats.
Dr. Siegelheim’s professional interests include dentistry, dermatology, neurology, and small/exotic animal medicine and surgery. At home, he cares for his dog, Jee, a New Guinea Sideneck Turtle and a flying squirrel named Icarus. He currently resides in North Riverdale and enjoys hiking with Jee, rock climbing, traveling and watching movies.
Dr. Jennifer Sorowitz
Education: University of Pennsylvania
Jennifer Sorowitz received her BA in Biology from Swarthmore College and her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. A native New Yorker, she has practiced small animal medicine in Queens and Nassau. She enjoys internal medicine, especially the diagnoses and treatment of challenging cases, working with her teammates so that pets can remain healthy members of their families. She values client communication, whether it be putting owners at ease dealing with the stress of a pet’s illness, or emphasizing the importance of client education and preventative medicine so that patients can live long, healthy lives. She has been certified in Low Stress Handling, which enables her to use techniques to help put pets at ease when interacting with them during examinations.
Outside of work, Dr. Sorowitz enjoys baking, expressing creativity through gastronomic sweets for family and friends. She lives in Queens with her husband, daughter Isabella, and three cats, Dexter, Jax, and Tyrion.
Dr. Kristen Szendrey
Education: Ross University, Louisiana State University
Dr. Kristen Szendrey is originally from Long Island, NY. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University with a major in Biology and minor in Chemistry. After her undergraduate degree, Dr. Szendrey attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical year a LSU (Geaux Tigers!). Dr. Szendrey then completed a rotating internship in medicine and surgery at Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists in Bohemia. Following her internship, Dr. Szendrey moved to Maryland for a few years and was a veterinarian at a large general practice and emergency facility, similar to West Hills Animal Hospital & Emergency Center. She is excited to be back home and join the WHAH family. Dr. Szendrey’s special interest is in exotic species, but she loves dogs and cats just the same.
When not at work, you will find Dr Szendrey hiking with her dog Khaleesi, reading, and attending sporting events and concerts.
Dr. Rebecca Warns
Education: University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Becca Warns grew up in Charlottesville, VA. She graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She later moved to Philadelphia to attend veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania. Afterwards, she completed a small animal medicine, surgery, and emergency internship in Brooklyn. Her professional interests include internal medicine and cardiology. Dr. Warns lives in Queens with her husband (Tom), their two cats (Wilma and Brooklyn), a corn snake (Slinky), and dozens of fish. In her free time she loves running, reading, spending time with family and friends, and exploring New York.
Dr. Kristie Williams
Education: Ross University, Tufts University
Dr. Kristie Williams is a native to Long Island having grown up in Syosset/Woodbury, and joined the team at West Hills after two years of internships directly following veterinary school. Prior to vet school, she worked as a veterinary technician/assistant for many years at several small animal hospitals on Long Island. Dr. Williams graduated from Penn State University in 2012 with a Bachelors in Animal Sciences. She then attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine with a final year of clinical training completed at Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating with high honors in 2016. After graduation she completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the esteemed Animal Medical Center in NYC and proceeded to complete a specialty internship in small animal surgery at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in NYC thereafter. Her professional interests include surgery, wellness care, diagnostic imaging, and internal medicine. Dr. Williams currently resides in Muttontown with her fiancé Steve, pitbull Cash, shepherd mix Colby, and two Pekin ducks Mac & Cheese.