NORTH REGION

Deltona

Darrah Shields, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Shields was born and raised in New Smyrna Beach, FL. She earned her medical degree at St. George’s School of Medicine and completed her residency at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL. Dr. Shields enjoys well child visits where she can watch the growth and development of her patients while establishing strong relationships with them and their families. Additionally, Dr. Shields is comfortable taking care of children with complex medical conditions, with a special interest in infants born prematurely. In her spare time Dr. Shields enjoys watching sports, especially soccer and college football. She also loves spending time with her family and friends as well as going to Disney World.

Leonita Bray, M.D.

Dr. Bray was born and raised in Ghana. She graduated from the School of Medical Science-Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Inspired by her godmother, she moved to New York City to pursue her pediatric residency training at Woodhull Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine in Brooklyn, NY. This has made her childhood passion in pediatric healthcare a reality and expand her medical knowledge. She is very interested in neonatology and preventive care. She also enjoys classical music, spending time with family and friends, exploring different cuisine and going to the beach.

Sussi Vivar, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Vivar, a board-certified pediatrician, was born in Peru and spent most of her life in the northeastern part of the U.S., where she volunteered and worked with migrant farm families. She received her medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York, completing her residency at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

Dr. Vivar enjoys working with children and families from various cultures and backgrounds. She explains that “it feels there is always something to be learned and cherished from other human beings.” In her spare time, she enjoys traveling to other cities and countries, eating different cuisine, and when she is not traveling, relaxing with her husband and two cats. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Oviedo

Allison Klimis, M.D.

Dr. Allison Klimis joins the FCP family with over 12 years of experience in general pediatrics. She received a full-ride scholarship for volleyball to the University of Alabama, where she graduated with a degree in biology and a minor in Spanish. Later, she did her medical schooling at the Medical College of Wisconsin, near where she grew up in Wauwatosa, WI. With special training and emphasis in pediatric genetics, Dr. Klimis completed her residency at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston. This busy pastor’s wife and mother of six loves Jesus, spending time with her family, watching her kids play sports, going to church, working out at the gym, traveling, crafting, and drinking great coffee. She is fluent in Spanish and has a special place in her heart for her Hispanic patients. Dr. Klimis is excited to care for your children with a mother’s touch and is happy to see and accommodate large families.
From Dr. Klimis: “God bless you, and I look forward to meeting you.”

So Yeon Oh, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Oh was born in South Korea and grew up in Southern California. She earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies, and completed her residency at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, New York. She served active duty in the U.S. Army as a pediatrician and afterward transitioned to federal service as a civilian pediatrician. She has 10 years of experience and she is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. She enjoys helping children and their families in growth and healing, and she is thankful for the privilege of caring for them. In her spare time, she likes to sing, enjoy nature, and spend time with family and friends.

Sanford

Euripides Roques, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Roques was born and raised in the Dominican Republic where he attended Medical school at Universidad Iberoamericana UNIBE. He moved to New York City to complete his pediatric residency training at the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Weill Cornell Medical College in the Bronx, NY. He has a special interest in preventive medicine and research. Dr. Roques completed a research fellowship under the ECRIP program at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

Francisco Chang, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Chang was born in Taiwan and raised in the Dominican Republic. He found his calling for medicine through his missionary godparents. Dr. Chang graduated from Iberoamerican University Medical School in Santo Domingo, and completed his pediatric residency at the Woodhull Medical Center at NYU in New York. He is a passionate physician with a tremendous love for children and a devotion for medicine. Dr. Chang speaks English and Spanish fluently.

Winter Springs

Joanne Dela Pena Arce, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Joanne Dela Pena Arce was born and raised in Cebu, Philippines. She earned her medical degree from Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland. She then completed her pediatric residency at the University of Tennessee, College of Medicine Chattanooga. She has a special interest in providing preventive and anticipatory guidance during well visits, and loves spending time with her husband and family. Dr. Dela Pena is board-certified and is fluent in English and Tagalog.

Orlando Mota-Aquino, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Mota is from the Dominican Republic. Inspired by his mother who is also a pediatrician, he finished medical school at the Instituto Tecnologico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) in his native country. To pursue his dream of becoming a pediatrician, Dr. Mota moved to New York, where he completed his pediatric residency training at the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Weill Cornell Medical College in the Bronx, NY. He has special interests in preventive medicine and development. Dr. Mota is fluent in both English and Spanish.

EAST REGION

Alafaya

Mariella Cabrera Quijada, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Mariella Cabrera was born in Venezuela and graduated from medical school at La Universidad Central de Venezuela, in Caracas, Venezuela. In 2015, she moved to Texas. From there Dr. Cabrera moved to New York City and completed her residency at Lincoln Medical Center in the Bronx. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family, reading, and drawing. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Maria Owsik, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Owsik grew up in Venezuela, where she graduated Cum Laude as a surgeon from medical school at La Universidad del Zulia in Maracaibo, Venezuela. She moved to the United States in 2013, to continue her medical journey. During her time in New York, Dr. Owsik developed a passion for working with kids, which led her to a pediatric residency at Lincoln Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, cooking, and going to the beach. Dr. Owsik is fluent in English and Spanish.

Lee Vista

Helen Young, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Young is a Board-Certified Pediatrician. She received her medical degree at the University of the Philippines and later completed pediatric residency training at SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Young has over ten years of private practice experience, and she is certified with the American Board of Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition to English, she also speaks Mandarin and Tagalog.

Sorangel Diaz Arias, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Diaz was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. During her childhood and adolescent years, she had the opportunity to work in the family business: a pharmacy, where her interest in medicine began to grow. She graduated from medical school at Universidad Iberoamericana in the Dominican Republic. After medical school, while working in the pediatric unit of IDEV, she realized pediatrics was the field she wanted to pursue. Dr. Diaz completed her pediatric residency at Lincoln Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. She is interested in preventive pediatrics and helping communities in need and enjoys spending time with family, reading, and sightseeing. Dr. Diaz is fluent in both Spanish and English.

Longwood

Josue H. Cortes, M.D., FAAP

Josue H. Cortes graduated from medical school at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in southern California. He completed his residency at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. He then moved to Florida in 2004, where he has been practicing as a Board-Certified Pediatrician. Dr. Cortes is bilingual, speaking English and Spanish. He truly enjoys the time he spends with his patients and their families, and he loves practicing every aspect of pediatric medicine.

Semoran

Erin Markham, FNP-C, MSN.

FNP. Erin Markham has been practicing in outpatient pediatrics since 2017 and is nationally certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Erin’s nursing background includes more than 10 years of experience in emergency medicine. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Florida and her Master’s of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama. 

Erin enjoys building relationships with patients and families while providing education and optimal care.  She is a Florida native and was raised in Orlando. Erin is married and has two daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Grace Kim-Lu, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Kim came to First Choice Pediatrics from Long Island, New York, where she practiced pediatrics for over 10 years. She received her medical degree from New York Medical College, and completed her residency at North Shore University Hospital. Dr. Kim is a devoted wife and mother of identical twin girls. In her free time, she enjoys playing the guitar, playing tennis, and getting lost in a great book. Because of her love for children and fascination with the sciences, Dr. Kim feels that being a pediatrician fulfills a lifelong dream: “Every child is created and gifted in many ways. I find great joy in interacting and discovering the uniqueness of each child. My hope is that as a pediatrician, I can be a small part of enabling each child be the best they can be.”

Liliana Buitrago, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Buitrago was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, where she earned her medical degree at El Bosque University. She later completed her pediatric residency at BronxCare Health System in the Bronx, NY. Dr. Buitrago has special interests in nutritional concerns in young children, gastrointestinal conditions, and volunteering in underserved communities. She loves working with children of all ages, and her goal as a pediatrician is to help families build strong foundations in their efforts to raise healthy and happy children. In her spare time, Dr. Buitrago enjoys hiking, traveling with her family, and learning about different languages and cultures. Dr. Buitrago is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Lilly Dao, D.O., M.P.H., FAAP

Dr. Dao was born in Boise, Idaho, but grew up in Orlando. She completed her bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences at The University of Florida, then moved to California where she earned her master’s degree in public health at Touro University. Dr. Dao subsequently completed medical school at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and finished her pediatric residency at The Children’s Hospital at Palms West in West Palm Beach, FL. Dr. Dao truly enjoys guiding families as they welcome their little ones into the world. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, sight-seeing, going to the beach, and spending time with her husband and family.

Shannon Osorio, PA-C.

Shannon is a board-certified physician assistant who has been practicing pediatrics since 2009. After completing her undergraduate studies at the University Of Notre Dame in Indiana, she went on to graduate with her Masters in Clinical Medical Studies as a Physician Assistant from Barry University in Miami Shores in 2008. Aside from her passion for pediatrics, Shannon is a lactation education counselor and is currently working to obtain her certification as an IBCLC. She has also shown a strong interest in international health and has participated in medical mission trips to Quito, Ecuador to provide pediatric care to local communities. Shannon is fluent in both English and Spanish. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, baking, and exploring local parks and lakes with her son and her Boston Terrier puppy. She is fluent in English and Spanish.

Tolulope Adebanjo McKenzie, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP

Dr. McKenzie is a double board-certified physician in pediatrics and preventive medicine and a CDC-trained epidemiologist. She received her Master of Public Health and medical degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed her pediatrics residency, including her chief residency, at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, TX. Dr. McKenzie is also a graduate of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service, which provides two-year training in applied epidemiology, and she completed a preventive medicine residency through CDC.

Dr. McKenzie has special interests in public health, diversity in medicine, health equity, and the impact of adverse childhood experiences on health. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children and traveling.

Part-Time

WEST REGION

Apopka

Melissa Zegarra Bustamante, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Zegarra was born in Lima, Peru, where she graduated from medical school with honors at the Universidad Cientifica del Sur. Upon moving to the United States, she completed her pediatric residency at AdventHealth for Children in Orlando, Florida. She has previous experience in immunology research and providing medical services to indigenous communities in the Peruvian mountains. Dr. Zegarra also has special interests in treating allergies, asthma, and gastrointestinal problems. She believes the most rewarding part of being a pediatrician is the opportunity to empower parents to make the best medical decisions for their children. In her spare time, Dr. Zegarra enjoys playing tennis, painting, and traveling. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Dr Phillips

Erick Santana, M.D.

Dr. Santana was born in the Dominican Republic and was raised in Miami. He finished medical school at Universidad Iberoamericana in his native country and completed his pediatric training at Lincoln Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Santana is enthusiastic about well-child care visits and likes working with parents as their children grow and develop. In his spare time, Dr. Santana loves spending time with his wife and children. He also enjoys reading, listening to music, playing guitar, piano and drums. And he loves coffee! Dr. Santana is fluent in English and Spanish.

Maralee Bisono, M.D.

Dr. Bisono was born in the Bronx, NY, and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She moved overseas to the Dominican Republic for high school but stayed in the country to attend medical school as well. Since childhood, Dr. Bisono had always dreamed to one day be a pediatrician. Her heart is always filled with joy when taking care of children of all ages and their families. Her dream had come true. Dr. Bisono graduated from Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) and completed her residency at Lincoln Medical Center in Bronx, NY. She is an advocate for children and their families and enjoys being of service. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, dancing, meeting new people, and exploring different cultures. She is also a big believer in self-care and engages in practices such as meditation, yoga, or even just reading a really good book. Learning new languages, learning how to play the piano, and exploring all that Florida has to offer are some of the things Dr. Bisono looks forward to in the future. She speaks English and Spanish.

MetroWest

Amra Gavric, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Gavric is a Board-Certified Pediatrician through the American Board of Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She graduated from the University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Medicine, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and completed her residency in general medicine at Clinical Center Kosevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. After relocating to the United States, Dr. Gavric received specialty training in pediatrics at the Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York Medical College in New York. She has been working as a pediatrician in private practice in the Orlando area since 2007. She has a special interest in infectious diseases and skin diseases, as well as in ADHD/ADD. In 2011, Dr. Gavric was recognized as one of America’s Top Pediatricians by a nationwide peer survey. She is fluent in English, Serbo-Croat, and Bosnian.

Ana Martins, M.D.

Dr. Martins was born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal. She went to medical school at Universidade Nova de Lisboa – Faculdade de Ciências Médicas and graduated in 2015. She completed her residency at Driscoll Children’s hospital in Corpus Christi, TX, and obtained board certification in 2019. Dr. Martins worked in Plainfield, CT as a pediatrician for 3 years before moving to Central Florida. She is fluent in Portuguese and English and can speak conversational Spanish and German. In her free time, she enjoys going to Disney, playing board and video games, and reading.

Winter Garden

Dhabia Al-Najjar, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Dhabia Al-Najjar is a Board Certified Pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In 2006, she earned her degree in medicine from the University of Baghdad. After completing her residency at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York, in 2014, Dr. Al-Najjar began practicing medicine at Fort Madison Community Hospital in Madison, Iowa. Later she settled in Winter Park, Florida, where she established her own practice. During her free time, Dr. Al-Najjar enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. She is fluent in both English and Arabic.

Vihieu Pham, DO.

Dr. Pham was born and raised in Winter Haven, Florida. He completed medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medical School in Bradenton. Later, he completed his pediatric residency training at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Dr. Pham has a special interest in preventative pediatrics, as well as treating children with complex medical conditions. He also takes great pride in the opportunity to be able to give back to the Central Florida community in which he was raised. In his spare time, Dr. Pham is a fitness enthusiast and enjoys weight-lifting, running, and leading a healthy lifestyle.

SOUTH REGION

Lake Nona

Michelle Herrera, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Herrera was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, where she graduated with her medical degree from the Universidad Iberoamericana. She completed her pediatric residency at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in Queens, New York. Dr. Herrera is passionate about education and preventative care with a special interest in infant sleep, breastfeeding, and pediatric nutrition. In her spare time, Dr. Herrera is an avid film enthusiast and enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her family. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Scott Barron, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Barron, a Board-Certified Pediatrician by the American Academy of Pediatrics, has 30 years of experience in the medical field. In 1991, he earned his medical degree at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa, FL. He then completed his pediatric residency in 1994 at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, CA. Dr. Barron has extensive experience in General Pediatrics, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, and Academic Pediatrics. In addition, he is the Deputy Editor of Pediatrics for DynaMed, an evidence-based reference for providers caring for children. Dr. Barron is passionate about educating families by providing them with the most current and useful information to help them care for their children. Dr. Barron has been married for over 25 years and has three children in college.

Yabin Chen, M.D.

Dr. Chen earned her medical degree from Sun Yat-sen University. She completed her residency with the University of Florida at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, where she received the Clinic Rockstar award for her dedication to providing the best patient care. Dr. Chen LOVES her job! What she enjoys most about being a pediatrician is helping families along in their journey through life. Her special interests include newborn care, gastrointestinal problems, and ADHD management. She is fluent in both English and Mandarin. Dr. Chen is happily married and blessed with two children. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, doing outdoor activities, and attending church services.

Loop

Jeannie Paola Medina Paez, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Medina was born and raised in Colombia, where she earned her medical degree at Universidad de Los Andes in Bogota. After moving to the United States, she completed her pediatric residency at Lincoln Medical Center in the Bronx, New York. Dr. Medina is passionate about pediatric medicine and enjoys working with newborns, infants, and children ages 3-5 years old. She has previous experience working in cancer research at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. Outside of work, Dr. Medina enjoys exercising, spending time with her family, and traveling around the world discovering new cultures. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Rosemarie Sison, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Sison grew up in the province of Pampanga in the Philippines. She graduated from the Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation in Manila, where she began her professional training as a pediatric resident. Later she pursued a Pulmonary Fellowship at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center. After moving to the United States, Dr. Sison completed pediatric residency training at the Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, an affiliate with Texas A & M University. She is certified with the American Board of Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Sison demonstrates a genuine love for children. She is married and has a daughter.

Melbourne

Janet Jenkin, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Jenkin grew up in New Jersey and attended college and medical school at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. She trained in pediatrics at Indiana University and Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana. After working in Indiana and then Wisconsin, Dr. Jenkin moved to Florida to get away from the cold. She enjoys taking care of children and has a special interest in asthma and allergies. When she is not working, Dr. Jenkin enjoys swimming, going to Disney, and spending time with her children.

Kasia Wallace-Shaw, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Wallace-Shaw is a native Floridian. She attended Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, IN and completed her pediatric residency at Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at Broward Health in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Dr. Wallace-Shaw is excited to be in Central Florida and to serve the families in our communities. She has a special interest in preventative medicine, mental health and providing anticipatory guidance. In her free time, Dr. Wallace-Shaw enjoys game nights with her family, reading, and going to Disney.

Poinciana

Anthonella Benitez Ojeda, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Benitez was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela. She graduated from Universidad de Carabobo Medical School, and as her clerkships started, she developed her interest in Pediatrics. In 2013, Dr. Benitez and her husband, who is also a physician, moved to the United States to further their Pediatric career. She attended to the Pediatric Residency at Lincoln Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. Dr. Benitez has particular interest in Prevention of Diseases, namely the Well-Child Care and Developmental Pediatrics. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, going to the beach, and spending time with her family and her dog Bruce. Dr. Benitez is fluent in both Spanish and English.

Kamela Camon, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Camon was born in Germany, but she moved frequently because her father was in the military. She considers Valdosta, GA her home since this is where her parents settled down after her father’s retirement. Dr. Camon graduated from Our Lady of Fatima University School of Medicine in Manila, Philippines and completed her pediatric residency at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, NY. During residency, she developed a special interest for preventive medicine and obesity. She enjoys leading a healthy lifestyle and is passionate about encouraging children and families to do so as well. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, and doing outdoor activities, such as snowboarding and paddle boarding. Dr. Camon is fluent in English and Tagalog.

Sandryn M. Taylor-Wysiekierski, DNP, CPNP-PC, MSN, RN.

DNP. Taylor is a nationally-certified (Pediatric Nursing Certification Board) pediatric nurse practitioner with 35 years of healthcare experience and 10+ years of experience as a nurse educator.

DNP. Taylor received her education at both Rutgers School of Nursing and University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, NJ, obtaining her masters and doctorate degrees. Prior to joining Pediatric Associates, DNP. Taylor spent time at both Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ-Pediatrics and Hackensack University Medical Center of NJ. Due to her passion for teaching both nursing students and patients, she often shared clinic hours with her nursing students at Nemours Children’s Hospital. Additionally, DNP. Taylor is a member of the International Honors Society of Nursing and has served as president of NJ Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP). In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, Disney, and spending time with her family.