Our Doctors and Nurse Practitioners

Lisa J. Sirota, M.D.
Birthplace:
Manhasset, New York (July 17, 1960))

Education:
  • W.Tresper Clarke High School (1978)
  • Boston University Combined Six-Year Program ​Liberal Arts and Medicine 1984
Training:
  • Internship: The Children’s Hospital, Boston (1984-1985)
  • Residency: The Children’s Hospital, Boston (1985-1987)
  • Fellowship: Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine (2016-2018)

Professional Experience: 
  • Indian Crest Pediatrics Arvada, Colorado (1987-1990)
  • Children’s Medical Association Plantation, Florida (1990-present)
Hospital Affiliations:
Coral Springs Medical Center

​Hospital Leadership:
  • PGH Chief of Pediatrics (1998-2001)
  • PGH Vice Chief of Staff (2001-2003)
  • PGH Chief of Staff (2004-2006)
Service:
  • JAFCO Pediatrician (1992-present)
  • LEAF Broward (1997-20004)
  • Mentor Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic
  • Medicine and Physician Assistant Programs
  • Mentor University of Miami College of Medicine

Academic Appointments:
  • Clinical Affiliated Assistant Professor of Pediatrics University of Miami 
  • Assistant Clinical Professor Nova Southeastern University
  • ​ College of Medicine (2000-present)
Honors:
  • Bank of America Local Hero Award (2006)
  • Bart and Sandy Goldberg Foundation Breaking the Glass Ceiling
  • Gold Coast Magazine’s Top Doc Pediatrician Award (2007-2019)
  • Compassionate Physician Award (2011)
Interests:
  • Spending time with family and friends, travelling, reading, playing golf, skiing
  • Learning and teaching Integrating natural strategies with traditional western medical approaches in caring for children  
Mark Stavitsky, M.D.
Education:
  • Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Graduated, with High Honors, Summa Cum Laude, University of Florida
  • Doctor of Medicine. Graduated with Honors, University of Florida
Postdoctoral Training:
  • Pediatric Residency - North Shore University Hospital - Manhasset, NY
Certifications:
  • Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Board Certified in Pediatrics
Appointments:
  • Clinical Affiliated Assistant Professor of Pediatrics University of Miami
  • Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Florida Atlantic University
  • Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics University of Florida
  • Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Nova Southeastern University(past)
  • Past Vice Chief of Pediatrics, Coral Springs Medical Center
  • Past Chief of Pediatrics, Coral Springs Medical Center
Hospital Affiliations:
  • Coral Springs Medical Center
Languages:
  • English
Personal/Hobbies:
  • Married with 2 Children
  • Marathon Runner/Avid Crossfit Participant
  • Sports Enthusiast/Gator Fanatic
Marco Leon, M.D.
Education:
  • Faclutad de Medicina y Cirugia, Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil, Doctor of Medicine
Postdoctoral Training:
  • Pediatric Residency -- Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami
Certifications:
  • Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Board Certified in Pediatrics
Appointments:
  • ​Clinical Affiliated Assistant Professor of Pediatrics University of Miami
  • Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Nova Southeastern University (past)
  • Past Vice Chief of Pediatrics, Coral Springs Medical Center
Hospital Affiliations:
  • Coral Springs Medical Center
Languages:
  • English
  • Spanish
Personal  Hobbies:
  • Married with 2 children
  • Sailing, Windsurfing
  • Travel​
Yolanda M. Valdes, M.D.
Education:
  • Bachelor of Science, Graduated with Honors, Magna Cum Laude, University of Miami
  • Doctor of Medicine, Alpha Omega Alpha, University of Miami
Postdoctoral Training:
  • Pediatric Residency – Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami
  • Chief Resident – Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami   
  Certifications:
  • Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Board Certified in Pediatrics
Appointments:
  • Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Nova Southeastern University
Hospital Affiliations:
  • Coral Springs Medical Center
Languages:
  • English
  • Spanish
Personal Hobbies:
  • Married with three children
  • Travel

Alan Louis, M.D.
Education:
  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Graduated with High Honors as a Four Year Scholar, University of Florida
  • Doctor of Medicine. Graduated with Honors, University of Florida
Postdoctoral Training:
  • Pediatric Residency - St. Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University
  • Chief Resident - St. Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University
Certifications:
  • Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Board Certified in Pediatrics
Appointments:
  • Affiliate Assistant Professor of Pediatrics University of Miami
  • Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Florida Atlantic University
  • Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics University of Florida
  • Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Nova Southeastern University (past)
  • Past Vice Chief of Pediatrics Northwest Medical Center
  • Past Chief of Pediatrics Northwest Medical Center
  • Past Member Board of Trustees Northwest Medical Center
Hospital Affiliations:
  • Coral Springs Medical Center
Languages:
  • English
  • Conversational Spanish
Personal/Hobbies:
  • Married with 2 Children
  • Coral Reef Aquaria 
  • Travel
Harold Deulofeut, M.D.
Managing Partner
Education:
  • MD, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
Predoctoral Training:
  • Research Internship, Division of Immunogenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
Postdoctoral Training 
  • Fellow, Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
  • Fellow, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD
  • Pediatric Intern, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami/Jackson Children's Hospital, Miami, FL
  • Pediatric Resident, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami/Jackson Children's Hospital, Miami, FL
Certifications and Professional Memberships:
  • American Board of Pediatrics
  • Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Investigators
  • American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI) (Past)
  • American Society for the Advancement of Science (Past)
  • Principal Investigator, Children's Medical Association 
  • President, Global Clinical Investigations, LLC
  • Principal Investigator, Broward Clinical Investigation, LLC, Florida
  • CPI certification APPI/ACRP
Hospital Affiliations:
  • Coral Springs Medical Center
Languages:
  • English
  • Spanish
  • German
Personal:
  • ​Married with 1 child
  • Enjoys world travel, fine dining, wine appreciation, art and literature

Matthew Penson, M.D.
Education:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – University of Virginia   Dean’s List – all semesters, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
  • Doctor of Medicine – University of Florida College of Medicine
Postdoctoral Training:
  • Pediatric Residency – Shands Children’s Hospital, University of Florida
Certifications:
  • Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Board Certified in Pediatrics
Appointments:
  • ​Clinical Affiliated Assistant Professor of Pediatrics University of Miami
Hospital Affiliations:
  • Coral Springs Medical Center
Language:
  • English
Personal/Hobbies:
  • Married with 2 children
  • Golf
  • Exercise
Heather Gupta, M.D.
Education:
  • Michigan State University - Bachelors in Human Biology
  • Wayne State University School of Medicine - Medical Doctor
Postdoctoral Training 
  • Pediatric Residency - Cincinnati Children's Hospital
  • Pediatric Residency - Children's Hospital of Michigan
Certifications and Professional Memberships:
  • Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Board Certified in Pediatrics
Hospital Affiliations:
  • Coral Springs Medical Center
Language:
  • English
Personal:
  • Spending time with my family
  • Spending time outside
  • Traveling
  • Cycling​

Justine Kelderhouse, ARNP
Place of  Birth:
  • Hollywood, FL (February 26, 1972)
Education:
  • St. Thomas Aquinas High School, 1990
  • Associate of Science Degree in Nursing, Dean's List, BC, 1995
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Graduated with highest honors, FIU, 1997
  • ​Master of Science in Nursing/Family, Graduated Magna Suma Cum Laude, FIU, 2001
Certifications:
  • Registered Nurse, 1995
  • Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, 2001
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support
  • Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Professional organizations
  • American Nurses Association
  • Sigma Theta Tau
  • Safe Kids Coalition
Professional Experience:
  • Palm Springs Medical Center, Hialeah, FL (1995-1999)
  • Aventura Medical Center, Aventura, FL (1999-2001)
  • Holy Cross Hospital, Ft. Lauderdale, F​L (2001-2005)
  • Dr. Taslimi and Mirza, MD, PA, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (2002-2011)
  • Children's Medical Association, Tamarac, FL (2011-present)
Language:
  • English
Personal:
  • ​Spending time with family and friends
  • Travel
  • Boating/Water skiing
Ellen Mass, MSN, ARNP, PNP-BC
Education:
  • University of Pennsylvania, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Cum Laude
  • University of Pennsylvania, Masters of Science in Nursing, Cum Laude
Certifications:
  • Registered Nurse
  • Advanced Practice Nurse
  • Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse 
Professional organizations:
  • Sigma Theta Tau
  • National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
  • Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses
Professional Experience:
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Staff Nurse, 1992-1995
  • Jersey City Medical Center, AIDS Health Services, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, 1995-1997
  • Hackensack University Medical Center, Tomorrows Children’s Institute, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, 1997-2012
  • NJY Camps, Infirmary Nurse, summers 2007- present
  • Children’s Medical Association, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, 2012 – present
Language:
  • English
Personal:
  • Spending time with my husband and 3 children
  • Reading
Linda Barreras, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC
Education:
  • Lutheran General Hospital School of Nursing - Diploma in Nursing
  • Loyola University, Chicago – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Barry University - Masters of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham – Doctor of Nursing Practice
Certifications:
  • Family Nurse Practitioner, American Nurses Credentialing Center
Professional Associations:
  • American Nurses Association
  • American Association of Nurse Practitioners
  • National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
  • Member, NAPNAP Special Interest Section on Pediatric Obesity
  • Member, NAPNAP Task Force for updating the Position Statement on Childhood Obesity
  • Florida Nurses Association
  • South Florida Council of Advanced Practice Nurses
  • Florida Nurse Practitioner Network
  • Member, Special Interest Section on Obesity – American Academy of Pediatrics
Affiliations:
  • Adjunct Faculty Florida Atlantic University School of Nursing, Nurse practitioner preceptor
Professional Experience:
  • Over 30 years diverse experience in the nursing profession with over 20 years as a nurse practitioner in family and pediatric practice. Children’s Medical Association Employee since December, 2012
Language:
  • English
  • Conversational Spanish
Personal:
  • Spending time with family and friends
  • Outdoor activities
Tamia Maldonado, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC
Education:
  • Nova Southeastern University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Summa Cum Laude
  • Nova Southeastern University, Masters of Science in Nursing, Summa Cum Laude
Certifications:
  • Licensed Registered Nurse
  • Advance Registered Nurse Practitioner
Professional Organizations:
  • American Nurses Association
  • South Florida Council of Advanced Practice Nurses
  • Florida Nurses Association
  • Sigma Theta Tau International
  • Tau Sigma Academic Honor Society
Professional Experience:
  • Northwest Medical Center, Pediatric/Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse, 2001 - 2015
  • Children's Medical Association, 2015 - Present
Language:
  • English
Personal:
  • Spending time with family and friends
  • Traveling
  • Volunteering
Elizabeth Rowell, ARNP, PNP-BC
Education:
  • Associate of Science degree in Nursing, Valencia Community College, 2000
  • Master of Science in Nursing/Pediatrics, Emory University, 2006
Certifications:
  • Registered Nurse, 2001
  • Advance Registered Nurse Practitioner, 2008
  • Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support
  • Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (BLS)
  • Neonatal Resusciation Program
Professional Organizations:
  • National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
Professional Experience:
  • Arnold Palmer Hospital (PICU), staff nurse, 2001-2004
  • Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (PICU, CICU, NICU), staff nurse, 2004-2013
  • Lavista Norcross Clinic, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, 2010-2013
  • Children's Medical Association, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, 2014-Present
Language:
  • English
Personal:
  • Spending time with friends and family
  • Enjoys traveling, lake life, beach life and Gator football
  • Volunteering with underserved children​
Nicole Quick, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC
Education:
  • Florida Atlantic University, Bachelor of Science
  • University of North Florida, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Florida Atlantic University, Master of Science in Nursing
Certifications:
  • Registered Nurse
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support
  • Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Professional Organizations:
  • Sigma Theta Tau
Professional Experience:
  • Northwest Medical Center, Pediatric/NICU Nurse
  • Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital, Surgical Services Nurse
  • Children's Medical Association, Nurse Practitioner
Language:
  • English
Personal:
  • Travelling
  • Spending time with family and friends
  • Beach activities
Ashley Ramsay, DNP, ARNP, PNP-BC
Education:
  • University of Florida--Bachelors of Science in Nursing
  • University of Florida--Doctorate of Nursing
Certifications:
  • Registered Nurse
  • Advanced Practice Nurse
  • Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Professional Organizations:
  • NAPNAP (National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners)
Professional Experience:
  • University of Florida Health, PICU RN
  • Children's Medical Association, Nurse Practitioner
Language:
  • English
Personal:
  • Traveling
  • Scuba diving and boating
  • Spending time with family and friends
Whittney Berezo, MSN, ARNP, PNP-BC
Education:
  • University of Florida: Bachelor of Science: Spanish Language
  • University of Central Florida: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Vanderbilt University: Master of Science in Nursing
Certifications:
  • Registered Nurse
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Professional Organizations:
  • AAP Member
Professional Experience:
  • Piedmont Hospital: Atlanta, GA - Post-operative trauma/Nurse
  • Children's Healthcare of Atlanta: Atlanta, GA - Pediatric Post-operative trauma/Nurse
  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Philadelphia, PA - Pediatric Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
  • Children's Healthcare Network: Allentown, PA - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Clinical Adjunt Faculty member: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Language:
  • English
  • Spanish
Personal:
  • Spending time with my husband and two daughters
  • Traveling
  • Outdoor activities