Dr. David G. Nykanen

I was born in Iran, moved to Germany at age 18 for college, and have lived in the United States since 1992. I’ve always been close to my parents, brothers and sister. Our relationship gave me a sense of respect for the concept of family that is reflected in the way I treat patients and families today. My interest in cardiology began when I was just eight or nine years old reading a schoolbook about heart function; I decided then and there on my career. I chose to work with children because of their great need and limited ability to express themselves. It’s rewarding to connect and understand what they’re trying to say. Because children are very delicate, I insist on precision with every service I provide. I’m also passionate about getting the diagnosis right. Sometimes parents bring their child to me after multiple doctors have given up trying to diagnose them. I like the challenge and the opportunity to provide treatment that will help. Many of my patients — for example, kids with congenital heart conditions — must be treated over a period of months or even years. I try to really manage their condition and help their family be part of the care team. I’m also interested in providing medicine that has been lacking in Florida. Dysautonomia, a nervous system disorder, is one of them. Dr. Kakavand is highly rated in 38 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Ectopic Heartbeat, Fainting, Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST), and Familial Ventricular Tachycardia. Dr. Kakavand is board certified in American Board Of Pediatrics. Dr. Kakavand is currently accepting new patients.

Daphney Kernizan, DO, is an independent pediatric cardiologist at Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, Florida. Dr. Kernizan has the expertise to diagnose, treat and manage even the most complex heart conditions in infants and children and has a clinical interest in care for congenital heart disease. Dr. Kernizan is highly rated in 8 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Heart Murmurs, Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Ventricular Septal Defects, and Aortopulmonary Window. Dr. Kernizan is board certified in The American Board Of Pediatrics - Pediatrics, American Board Of Pediatrics, and The American Board Of Pediatrics - Pediatric Cardiology. Dr. Kernizan is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Suying Lam Barriga is board certified in pediatrics, pediatric cardiology and adult congenital heart disease and is with BayCare Medical Group in Tampa Bay, Florida, where she sees patients from birth throughout adulthood. Before joining BayCare Medical Group, she practiced at Pediatric Cardiology Associates. Dr. Lam Barriga earned a Doctor of Medicine from the Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil in Guayaquil, Ecuador, performed a pediatric internship and residency at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, New York, and completed a pediatric cardiology fellowship at Jackson Memorial Hospital/Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami, Florida. Dr. Lam Barriga's clinical interests include caring for adults living with congenital heart disease, cardio-obstetrics, transition from pediatric to adult care and pulmonary hypertension secondary to congenital heart disease. Dr. Lam Barriga is a member of the Adult Congenital Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. She’s affiliated with St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and many other hospitals throughout Tampa Bay. Dr. Barriga is highly rated in 34 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Transposition of the Great Arteries, Tetralogy of Fallot, Double Inlet Left Ventricle, and Bicuspid Aortic Valve. Dr. Barriga is board certified in Pediatrics, AB Internal Medicine (Adult Congenital Heart Disease), Pediatric Cardiology, AB Pediatrics - Pediatrics, and AB Pediatrics (Pediatric Cardiology). Dr. Barriga is currently accepting new patients.