25 of the Best Pediatric Surgeons Near Me in Fort Pierce, FL

Dr. Smithers is an associate professor of surgery and director of the Esophageal and Airway Treatment (EAT) Program in the Department of Surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital since 2019. He was honored for Innovations in Clinical Care at the Johns Hopkins Medicine Clinical Awards for 2020. As a leader in both innovation and expertise for pediatric thoracic surgery, he and his team see patients from all over the United States and internationally. The team also makes several invited trips per year around the country and world for lectures and conferences, in addition to helping patients and teaching other surgical teams regarding complex esophageal and airway surgical techniques in the operating room. Dr. Smithers previously served as assistant professor of surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital from 2009-2019, as part of their groundbreaking EAT program. His clinical specialties are congenital and acquired conditions of the esophagus and airway, vascular rings, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), surgical critical care, and minimally invasive surgery. He earned his medical degree from Albany Medical College and completed his residency in general surgery at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. He served as fellow in pediatric surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital after completing a research fellowship and a surgical critical care fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital. He also completed a global surgery clinical fellowship at Harvard Medical School. Videos Meet Jason Smithers, M.D. What is esophageal stricture and how is it treated? What is tracheomalacia and how is it treated? What is recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (rTEF) and how is it treated? What is long gap esophageal atresia and how is it treated?. Dr. Smithers is highly rated in 9 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Esophageal Atresia, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Gastrostomy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Smithers is board certified in General Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care.

Gustavo Villalona is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Villalona is highly rated in 19 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Appendicitis, Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Pilonidal Sinus Disease, Gastrostomy, and Small Bowel Resection. Dr. Villalona is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

Dr. Danielson is associate dean of clinical affairs at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Dr. Danielson also began serving as president of All Children’s Specialty Physicians (ACSP) in 2023, first on an interim basis and then permanently. A clinical professor of surgery, he has chaired the Johns Hopkins All Children's Department of Surgery since 2020 and was interim chair from 2018 to 2020. He specializes in general surgery and was an early adopter of minimally invasive surgical techniques, developing expertise in treating chest wall deformities. Dr. Danielson founded the first fellowship sponsored by Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in pediatric surgery and was also instrumental in bringing the National Quality Improvement in Surgery Program to the institution. He was named Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital physician of the year in the 2015 Johns Hopkins Medicine Clinical Awards. He joined the hospital staff in 2008. He retired as a colonel from the U.S. Army Reserve in 2017 after serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Dr. Danielson earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester where he also completed the residency program in general surgery through Strong Memorial Hospital. He completed a research fellowship in pediatric surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard University and a clinical fellowship in pediatric surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Before joining Johns Hopkins All Children’s, he served as director of pediatric surgical oncology at the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Danielson is highly rated in 6 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Appendicitis, Pectus Excavatum, Omphalocele, Appendectomy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Danielson is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

Dr. Kays is the medical director of the Center for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) at Johns Hopkins All Children’s and leads the first unit in the country exclusively dedicated to these patients. He also serves as director of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program and co-director of the Fetal Diagnosis/Treatment program. He joined the medical staff in 2016. Dr. Kays has more than two decades of clinical and research leadership in the treatment of CDH, a life-threatening birth defect that affects about one in every 3,000 pregnancies. His research has focused on defining the best treatment strategies for this challenging neonatal diagnosis and contributed to significant advances in care and outcomes. Dr. Kays was previously with UF Health and Shands Children’s Hospital for more than 20 years. He was also surgeon in chief, professor of surgery and chief of the division of pediatric surgery in the University of Florida College of Medicine, Department of Surgery, where he led the ECMO and congenital diaphragmatic hernia program for over 20 years. He is the author or coauthor of more than 60 peer-reviewed original science publications and speaks nationally and internationally on CDH care and outcomes. Dr. Kays earned his medical degree from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. He completed a surgical residency at Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester Medical Center, and then completed a pediatric surgery fellowship at Morgan-Stanley Children’s Hospital of Columbia University, New York. Dr. Kays is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Children’s Oncology Group. Videos Meet David Kays, M.D. Dr. Kays is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Diaphragmatic Hernia, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Hernia, Donnai-Barrow Syndrome, and Appendectomy. Dr. Kays is board certified in General Surgery.

Henri Ford is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Miami, Florida. Dr. Ford is highly rated in 2 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Necrosis, Diaphragmatic Hernia, and Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

In addition to the Areas of Expertise shown, I also have special medical interest in:  Abdominal wall disorders Biliary disorders Fetal diagnosis and therapy Gastrointestinal disorders Head and neck disorders Pilonidal disease Thoracic disorders. Dr. Meckmongkol is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Atresia of Small Intestine, Pilonidal Sinus Disease, Congenital Hypotrichosis Milia, Appendectomy, and Colostomy. Dr. Meckmongkol is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

Lori Gurien is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Jacksonville, Florida. She has been practicing medicine for over 3 years. Dr. Gurien is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Appendicitis, Appendectomy, and Gallbladder Removal. Dr. Gurien is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

Brenna Fullerton, MD, is a fellowship-trained pediatric surgeon with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Her clinical interests include minimally invasive surgical techniques and the care of medically complex children with chronic conditions, intestinal failure and congenital malformations.What Does a Pediatric Surgeon Do?Dr. Fullerton is an accomplished pediatric surgeon and performs both minimally invasive and traditional surgical procedures. Her extensive knowledge of the human body and skill as a surgeon enable to her to treat a wide range of pediatric conditions such as birth defects, injuries, tissue and organ abnormalities, and tumors to name a few.Minimally Invasive SurgeryDr. Fullerton is experienced in minimally invasive surgical procedures, including laparoscopic surgery. During laparoscopic surgery she uses a surgical tool with a miniature camera and light on the end to see inside the body and perform necessary procedures.Minimally invasive surgery typically results in:Small incisions Less painLow risk of infectionShorter hospital staysQuicker recovery timeLess scarringReduced blood lossDr. Fullerton’s TrainingDr. Fullerton earned her medical degree from the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and then embarked on extensive postdoctoral training. This included an internship and general surgery residency at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.; a research fellowship and chair’s surgical research fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital; a general surgery residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston; and a pediatric surgery fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit Medical Center.About Dr. FullertonAs a research fellow, Dr. Fullerton participated in multiple clinical studies and has received two research grants. To date, her work has appeared in nearly 20 peer-reviewed publications and been presented at national and international medical conferences. Dr. Fullerton is highly rated in 10 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Gastroschisis, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Cloacal Exstrophy, Ileostomy, and Small Bowel Resection. Dr. Fullerton is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

Robert Dorman is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Dorman is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Hirschsprung Disease, Total Intestinal Aganglionosis, Omphalomesenteric Cyst, Gastrostomy, and Knee Replacement. Dr. Dorman is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

Steve Rothenberg is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Orange Park, Florida. Dr. Rothenberg is highly rated in 14 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pulmonary Sequestration, Esophageal Atresia, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Endoscopy, and Appendectomy.

Juan Sola is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Miami, Florida. Dr. Sola is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Hirschsprung Disease, Infantile Pneumothorax, Childhood Volvulus, Gastrostomy, and Endoscopy.

Andre Hebra is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Fort Myers, Florida. Dr. Hebra is highly rated in 2 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pectus Excavatum, Hernia, Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Necrotizing Fasciitis, and Endoscopy.

Ruchi Amin is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Plantation, Florida. Dr. Amin is highly rated in 1 condition, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Gastroschisis, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, and Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Dr. Gabriel Ramos Gonzalez is a board-certified surgeon and fellowship-trained pediatric surgeon with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. He specializes in pediatric surgical critical care and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, and his expertise includes: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation Congenital diaphragmatic hernia Abdominal masses Anorectal disorders Chest wall disorders Hernia surgery Congenital intestinal conditions Congenital thoracic anomalies Gastrointestinal conditions Genitourinary conditions Lung conditions Neck conditions Skin and soft tissue disorders Trauma Dr. Ramos Gonzalez believes there should be no barriers to providing the highest level of care to pediatric surgical patients. He considers it a privilege to help children live normal, healthy lives. Dr. Ramos Gonzalez's Training Dr. Ramos-Gonzalez earned a bachelor's degree in biology and environmental sciences at Boston College in Massachusetts and received his medical degree from Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico. He completed a general surgery residency at Hospital Episcopal San Lucas in Ponce, where he served as chief resident in his final year. During his residency, he was an innovation fellow at Boston Children's Hospital. His training continued with fellowships in surgical critical care and pediatric surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. About Dr. Ramos Gonzalez Dr. Ramos Gonzalez is board certified in general surgery and surgical critical care by the American Board of Surgery. His professional memberships include the American Pediatric Surgery Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Society of Critical Care Medicine, Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and American College of Surgeons. Dr. Ramos Gonzalez is fluent in English and Spanish. His clinical expertise encompasses Pectus Excavatum, Biliary Atresia, Hepatoblastoma, Liver Transplant, and Nephrectomy. Dr. Gonzalez is board certified in American Board Of Surgery - General Surgery and American Board Of Surgery - Surgical Critical Care.

Dr. Snyder is a pediatric surgeon at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. He is the director of the pediatric surgery research program and the medical director of the pediatric trauma program at the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. He joined the medical staff in 2018. After earning his medical degree from the University of Florida, Dr. Snyder completed a research fellowship, Master of Science in Public Health degree, and residency in general surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He completed his clinical fellowship in pediatric surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Dr. Snyder previously served as a staff surgeon in the U.S. Air Force, performing general, trauma and acute care surgery for adults and children. His military service included assignments to Anchorage, Alaska, and Tampa, Florida, as well as overseas deployments. In conjunction with his military service, he has held adjunct clinical faculty positions with the University of Washington, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, and the University of South Florida. He received an honorable discharge in 2016. Dr. Snyder’s clinical and research interests include neonatal thoracic and gastrointestinal surgery, comparative outcomes research, pediatric trauma systems, minimally invasive surgical techniques, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). His clinical expertise encompasses Omphalocele. Dr. Snyder is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

Dr. Thatch specializes in pediatric surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. He joined the hospital staff in 2018. He serves as the Associate Program Director of the pediatric surgical critical care fellowship program, and leads the American College of Surgeons' Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Program at Tampa General Hospital. Dr. Thatch earned his medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. He completed a pediatric surgery research fellowship at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia and completed his general surgery residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. He also completed a fellowship in pediatric surgery critical care and served as a pediatric surgery intensivist at C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital/University of Michigan. Dr. Thatch then completed a pediatric surgery fellowship at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. His clinical expertise encompasses Omphalocele. Dr. Thatch is board certified in General Surgery, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, and Pediatric Surgery.

Dr. Gonzalez is a pediatric and surgical critical care surgeon at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. She joined the hospital staff in 2017. She was previously the surgical critical care fellowship program director at the Detroit Medical Center and also served as a member of the American Pediatric Surgical Association Surgical Critical Care Committee. Dr. Gonzalez received her medical degree from the University Of Puerto Rico School Of Medicine and trained in general surgery at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey. Dr. Gonzalez then completed a surgical critical care fellowship at University of Michigan Health Systems & CS Mott Children’s Hospital and a pediatric surgery fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. She subsequently completed a Master’s in Health Care Management at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She is fluent in Spanish. Videos Meet Raquel González, M.D. Her clinical expertise encompasses Oophorectomy. Dr. Gonzalez is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

Sean Skinner is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Skinner is highly rated in 17 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Duodenal Atresia, Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Atresia of Small Intestine, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy. Dr. Skinner is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

Sang-woo Pak is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Jacksonville, Florida. He has been practicing medicine for over 8 years. Dr. Pak is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Pectus Carinatum, and Total Intestinal Aganglionosis. Dr. Pak is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

Adela Casas is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Orlando, Florida. She has been practicing medicine for over 39 years. Dr. Casas is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Urachal Cyst, Pectus Excavatum, Pilonidal Sinus Disease, Gastrostomy, and Appendectomy. Dr. Casas is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

John Draus, MD is a pediatric general surgeon and the chief of surgery and trauma medical director at Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville. He’s been named among the Best Doctors in America for numerous consecutive years and was selected as an Honored Caregiver by University of Kentucky HealthCare in 2020. He earned the Recognition of Excellence in Student & Resident Teaching Award at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 2017 and 2018. Dr. Draus has been an active researcher and presenter and has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles. He’s been on the editorial board ofThe American Surgeonsince 2015 and is an ad hoc reviewer forJournal of Pediatric Surgery, World Journal of Pediatrics, Pediatric Emergency Care, andSurgical Infections. Dr. Draus has volunteered his time and talent as a surgeon with Solid Rock Medical Missions in the Dominican Republic, Children of the Americas in Guatemala, and Surgery on Sunday in Lexington, Ky. Dr. Draus is highly rated in 8 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Pectus Excavatum, and Pilonidal Sinus Disease. Dr. Draus is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

I’ve wanted to care for people since I was very young. From the end of high school through medical school, I volunteered as a paramedic. During those 10 years, I saw how patients live and their struggles to care for sick children at home. This has helped me care for my patients because I understand the many challenges that their family may face. I chose pediatric surgery when I realized that I could be a voice for patients who have either a small voice or no voice at all. I’m passionate about pediatric surgical oncology and advocating for tumor detection in the early stages. Children’s complaints can be inarticulate and difficult to pin down, so they are sometimes labeled just a normal part of childhood. My job is to listen, recognize the issues, and speak up for them. When I joined the surgery department, I worked to establish an Orlando-based tumor board of Nemours specialists to help manage our cancer patients. As a member of the board, I represent the surgical oncology patients. Also, my laboratory is dedicated to the basic science study of neuroblastoma, which I plan to translate into clinical care. Dr. Westmoreland is highly rated in 7 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Pilonidal Sinus Disease, Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Gastrostomy, and Tissue Biopsy. Dr. Westmoreland is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

Robert Letton is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Jacksonville, Florida. He has been practicing medicine for over 4 years. Dr. Letton is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pectus Excavatum, Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Pilonidal Sinus Disease, Pectus Carinatum, and Splenectomy. Dr. Letton is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.

Dr. Cristine Velazco is a board-certified general and pediatric surgeon at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. She treats children and babies with complicated conditions, using minimally invasive techniques when possible. As the director of colorectal surgery, she has expertise in colorectal, thoracic, emergency and trauma surgery. She also specializes in treating: Abdominal masses Anorectal disorders Chest wall disorders Congenital intestinal conditions Congenital thoracic anomalies Gastrointestinal conditions Genitourinary conditions Lung conditions Neck conditions Skin and soft tissue disorders Dr. Velazco's Training Dr. Velazco earned a bachelor's degree in biology at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and a master's in anatomy and neurobiology at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. She earned her medical degree at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine in Burlington. Dr. Velazco completed a residency in general surgery at the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education in Phoenix. She completed fellowships in pediatric surgery research at Boston Children's Hospital, pediatric colorectal surgery at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and pediatric surgery at Mayo Clinic - Phoenix Children's Hospital. About Dr. Velazco Dr. Velazco is board certified in general and pediatric surgery by the American Board of Surgery. Her professional memberships include the American Pediatric Surgical Association, American College of Surgeons and International Pediatric Endosurgery Group. Dr. Velazco has presented at medical conferences, and her work has appeared in peer-reviewed medical journals. She also has co-written chapters for medical books on topics such as inflammatory bowel disease and nutritional support for pediatric trauma patients. As a fellow of the Albert Schweitzer Foundation, Dr. Velazco helped design and implement recreational activities for children with special healthcare needs in the Burlington area. Dr. Velazco is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Atresia of Small Intestine, Imperforate Anus, Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Ileostomy, and Small Bowel Resection. Dr. Velazco is board certified in American Board Of Surgery - General Surgery and American Board Of Surgery - Pediatric Surgery.

Anwar Abdul is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Lakeland, Florida. He has been practicing medicine for over 16 years. Dr. Abdul is highly rated in 2 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Omphalomesenteric Cyst, and Meckel's Diverticulum. Dr. Abdul is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.