Meet Our Neonatology Team

Dr. Alana specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. He sees patients at Bayfront Health Spring Hill. Previously Dr. Alana was a neonatologist at AdventHealth Medical Group, where he served as vice chair and chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Florida Hospital Orlando.

Dr. Berg specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She sees patients at AdventHealth Tampa, where she serves as medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), through an affiliation with Johns Hopkins All Children's. She joined the hospital staff in 2017. Previously, she worked as a neonatologist at the University of Vermont Children's Hospital and an associate professor of pediatrics in the University of Vermont College of Medicine where she was director of the fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. Dr. Berg earned her medical degree at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency and her neonatal-perinatal fellowship at New York Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Dr. Brooks specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She joined the hospital staff in 1997 and is associated medical director for the neonatal intensive care unit. Dr. Brooks earned her medical degree at American University of Beirut School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at Duke University Medical Center and her fellowship in neonatology at University of South Florida where she also attained a masters degree in public health.

Dr. Chamberlain specializes in neonatology with the John Hopkins All Children's Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She sees patients at AdventHealth Tampa and Sarasota Memorial Hospital. She joined the hospital staff in 2020. She was previously a neonatologist with John Peter Smith Physician Group in Fort Worth, Texas.

Dr. Chang specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children's Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She sees patients at AdventHealth Tampa. She completed both her pediatric residency and a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at the University of Florida in Gainesville. She is a graduate of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. Her clinical interests include neonatal nutrition and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Dr. Chang also holds a master’s of science in applied physiology and kinesiology from the University of Florida.

Dr. DiBartolomeo specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. Dr. DiBartolomeo earned her medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She trained in pediatrics and completed a neonatology fellowship at University of Chicago, Comer Children’s Hospital. While at the University of Chicago, Dr. DiBartolomeo concurrently completed a clinical medical ethics fellowship through the MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics. During her training she completed a pediatrics and neonatology rotation at Amrita Institute in Kerala, India, and a neonatology elective at Kijabe Hospital in Kijabe, Kenya. Additionally, she holds a Master of Public Health from Nova Southeastern University and has completed internships in Washington, D.C., both on Capitol Hill and at a political think tank. Her clinical and research interests include clinical medical ethics, neonatal palliative care and ethical issues at the margins of viability.

Dr. Diego specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children's Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. He sees patients at Medical Center of Trinity. He joined the neonatology staff in 2013. Dr. Diego earned his medical degree from Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. He trained in pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch and completed a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at the University of South Florida. He is fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Escoto specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. He also sees patients through the Bayfront Health St. Petersburg Baby Place, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg General Hospital and the Medical Center of Trinity.

Dr. Fares specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She sees patients at Bayfront Health Spring Hill. She joined the hospital staff in 2014. Previously, she was the director of neonatology at Gulf Coast Hospital in Fort Myers. Dr. Fares earned her medical degree at State University of Liege in Belgium and completed her pediatric residency at Orlando Regional Medical Center and her neonatal fellowship at the University of Illinois. Her research interests include the role of specific fatty acids in premature formula on growth, acceptance, tolerance, blood lipids and selected physiological parameters in very low birth weight neonates.

Dr. Fort specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. He is a co-lead for the institute’s Research and Quality Network and a co-chair of its research council. He advocates for research education and has ongoing projects with residents and fellows related to caffeine and respiratory outcomes as well as biomarkers predictive of necrotizing enterocolitis. Dr. Fort’s research focus includes control of breathing and apnea of premature infants, specifically as it relates to its management with caffeine. During a fellowship in neonatal medicine at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, he successfully presented, with support of his mentor Waldemar Carlo, a large, multicenter, randomized controlled trial called the MOCHA trial, which is currently recruiting at the Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) neonatal research network to evaluate the use of caffeine at home for premature infants. He is also a site principal investigator for the Intermittent Hypoxia and Caffeine (ICAF) trial, a multicenter trial headed by Dr. Carl Hunt and Eric Eichenwald. Dr. Fort is also an expert reviewer for caffeine with the Journal of Perinatology as well as being a junior member and reviewer for the Society of Pediatric Research. He has received teaching awards during his training and received the 2015 Society of Pediatric Research Fellows’ Section Clinical Research Award as well as the Clinical Young Investigators’ Award from the Southern Society of Pediatric Research for a pilot randomized control trial comparing vitamin D dosing in extremely preterm infants during his fellowship.

Dr. Freysdottir specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She serves as the medical director of neonatology at Trinity Medical Center, through an affiliation with Johns Hopkins All Children’s. She joined the hospital staff in 2020.

Aaron M. Germain, M.D., FAAP, specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children's Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. He is associate program director of the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program. Dr. Germain completed his fellowship training in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital. His research interests include patient management and outcomes, management of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and innovation in medical education. Dr. Germain is medical director for neonatal transport for the LifeLine critical care transport program.

Dr. Rayon specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. He joined the hospital staff in 2003 and sees patients at AdventHealth Tampa. Previously, he was the director of neonatal transport at Sarasota Memorial Hospital from 1996-2003.

Dr. Jensen specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She sees patients at our neonatal intensive care unit at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Saint Petersburg General Hospital and Brandon Regional Hospital.  She attends deliveries at Bayfront Baby Place. Dr. Jensen’s clinical and research interests include feeding and swallowing disorders in infants. She joined the Johns Hopkins All Children's staff in 2016.

Dr. Karber specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She sees patients at Brandon Regional Hospital. She joined the hospital staff in 2017. Previously, she worked as an attending physician at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, New York. 

Dr. Luciano specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. He serves as medical director of neonatology at Brandon Regional Hospital, through an affiliation with Johns Hopkins All Children’s. He joined the hospital staff in 2020.

Joana Machry, M.D., FAAP, specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children's Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She is program director of the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program and instructor in pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Machry received a Department of Pediatrics Teaching Excellence Award as a resident at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where she completed her pediatric residency and fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine.

Dr. McCarthy specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She joined the hospital staff in 1977 and founded its Institutional Review Board and ethics committee. She served as chief of staff for three years. Dr. McCarthy earned her medical degree at University of Miami School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency and her neonatology fellowship at University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital. She also has a Master of Medical Science degree in physiology from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. in pharmacology from West Virginia University. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in pharmacology at the University of Miami.

Dr. McKay specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. He joined the hospital staff in 1997.  He is currently the medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. In addition, he is the regional medical director for the Johns Hopkins All Children’s neonatology system. He also leads the Clinical Practice Council of the institute. He is certified in neonatal resuscitation and is a regional instructor. He is board certified in pediatrics and neonatal/perinatal medicine.

Dr. Nguyen specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She sees patients at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. She received her medical degree from the University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine, where she received the Lewis A. Barness, M.D. Award and completed a scholarly concentration in health care disparities. Dr. Nguyen also completed her pediatric residency and neonatology fellowship at USF.

Dr. Nwokeji specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. He sees patients at Brandon Regional Hospital. Dr. Nwokeji earned his medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean. He then trained in pediatrics at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Nwokeji also completed a neonatal-perinatal fellowship at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Patel specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. He joined the hospital staff in 2008 and sees patients at Bayfront Health Port Charlotte. Dr. Patel earned his medical degree at the University of Vadodara Medical College and completed his pediatric residency at Jersey City Medical Center. He completed his fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh where he also received his certification in Biomedical Informatics. He is pursuing a physician executive MBA from Auburn University.

Dr. Sandoval specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She also sees patients at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Dr. Sandoval earned her medical degree at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara Medical School and completed her pediatric residency at Metropolitan Hospital Center and her neonatal-perinatal fellowship at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center. She is certified by the Florida Medical Board, the American Board of Pediatrics and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Dr. Sandoval is fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Schilling specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children's Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She sees patients at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where she serves as medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), through an affiliation with Johns Hopkins All Children's. Dr. Schilling earned her degree as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at Louisiana State University and her neonatal - perinatal fellowship at the University of South Florida. During her fellowship, she created and teaches a newborn - specific cardiac curriculum rotation for pediatric interns.

Dr. Shakeel specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children's Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She joined the medical staff in 1999. She has a clinical focus on nutritional care for neonates to improve clinical outcomes in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and improving clinical outcomes in infants with short bowel syndrome at risk of intestinal failure. She is chair of the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Care Under Intestinal Rehabilitation Excellence (CUIRE) intestinal rehabilitation program. She also has a clinical focus on Patient Safety & Quality and is a quality lead for the hospital’s Maternal Fetal & Neonatal Institute.

Dr. Stone specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She joined the hospital staff in 2002 and leads the neonatal vascular access program, and is a member of the Center for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) team. In 2017, she won the Johns Hopkins All Children's Excellence in Service & Professionalism Award. Her clinical interests include CDH and infection prevention.

Dr. Teper specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. She sees patients at Brandon Regional Hospital. She joined the hospital staff in 2018. Dr. Teper earned her medical degree from the University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine. She completed a pediatric residency at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and a neonatal-perinatal medicine fellowship at New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York.

Dr. Theophilopoulos specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute program at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He joined hospital staff in 2005. Dr. Theophilopoulos earned his medical degree and completed pediatric training and a neonatology fellowship at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He is board certified in pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine.

Dr. Winners Mendizabal specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. He sees patients at the hospital's main campus in St. Petersburg, as well as at Brandon Regional Hospital where he serves as interim medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), through an affiliation with Johns Hopkins All Children's. He joined the hospital staff in 2012. Dr. Winners Mendizabal earned his medical degree from Universidad Boliviana Mayor de San Andres in La Paz, Bolivia. He completed training in pediatrics at University of Kansas and neonatal-perinatal fellowship at Case Western Reserve University at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. His research interests include retinopathy of prematurity, chronic intermittent hypoxia and enteral and parental nutrition. He is fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Zozobrado specializes in neonatology with the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute. He joined the hospital staff in 2020, and sees patients at Bayfront Health Port Charlotte, through an affiliation with Johns Hopkins All Children’s. He was most recently the chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Chandler Regional Medical Center in Chandler, Arizona, where he also served as medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit.

Dr. Nghiem specializes in the care of hospitalized children and served as chief resident at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. She sees patients at Bayfront Health, St. Petersburg, and Bayfront Baby Place Nursery. Dr. Nghiem earned her medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She trained in pediatrics at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Dr. Nghiem also earned an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado.

Dr. Walker is the lead physician in the Neonatal Follow-Up Program clinic at Johns Hopkins All Children’s. He also sees patients as a newborn hospitalist at Bayfront Babyplace, and as a pediatric urgent care physician in the Emergency Center. He joined the Johns Hopkins All Children’s staff in 2017.

Dr. Vargas specializes in caring for hospitalized babies as a neonatal hospitalist at Johns Hopkins All Children’s. She joined the hospital staff in 2020. Dr. Vargas earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Portsmouth, Dominica. She completed her residency at BronxCare Health Systems in Bronx, New York/Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She then completed a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at Tampa General Hospital/University of South Florida.