Meet Our Surgeons
Drew E. Warnick, MD
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
St. Petersburg Office, Tampa Office, JHAC Outpatient Care of Sarasota
Paul L. Benfanti, MD
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
St. Petersburg Office, Tampa Office, JHAC Outpatient Care of East Lake, JHAC Outpatient Care of Pasco
Lee G. Phillips, MD
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
St. Petersburg Office, Tampa Office, JHAC Outpatient Care of Sarasota
Daniel C. Bland, MD
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
St. Petersburg Office, Tampa Office, JHAC Outpatient Care of East Lake, JHAC Outpatient Care of Pasco
Ryan E. Fitzgerald, MD
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
St. Petersburg Office, Tampa Office, JHAC Outpatient Care of Sarasota, JHAC Outpatient Care of East Lake, JHAC Outpatient Care of Pasco
Directory
Phone: (727) 898-2663 or (813) 879-2663
- Nurse: Extension 1733
- Billing: Extension 6934
- Surgery Scheduling St. Pete: Extension 6856 (Arlene)
- Surgery Scheduling Tampa: Extension 5516 (Michele)
Hospital and Surgical Center Affiliations
Our surgeons have privileges at the following hospitals:
- Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
- Bayfront Hospital
- St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
Dr. Warnick, Dr. Phillips and Dr. Bland have privileges at the following surgical center:
- Carillon Surgery Center
We have three kids all of who play soccer. They are ages 18, 15, and 9. Our daughter has been treated by Children’s Orthopaedic twice, once for a broken arm and the other for two broken bones in her hand both due to sports injuries. Our son was also treated for a broken arm. In each case, we were tended to right away and given the best care. The kids were nervous but the staff and Doctors put them at ease. Their injuries healed perfectly and the follow up care was tremendous. We have since gone back with our other son for treatment on his knee due to sports camp. We are a sports family and there is no other place we would trust our kids to than Children’s Orthopaedic!
– Kim Pivacek
Meet Our Emeritus Surgeons
Sheila M. Love, MD
Emeritus
Scott W. Beck, MD
Emeritus
Meet Our Physician Assistants & Nurse
Cody Thompson, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
In December 2005 Cody started at COSSA after graduating from Towson University Physician Assistant program in Baltimore, Maryland. He was President of his 2005 graduating class and helped organize efforts in raising more than $10,000 for charities such as Toys For Tots, Bea Gaddy’s Foundation for the Homeless and Adopt a Family. Cody was raised in St. Petersburg and graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from University of South Florida.
Lauren Williams, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Lauren graduated with her master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies from South University of Tampa in 2017. Lauren was raised in Northern California and moved to Florida to attend Florida State University. She graduated in 2013 with her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a minor in Child Development. She was recreational director of a children’s special needs summer camp and helped put on various philanthropic events to raise money for guardian ad litem while in college.
Cara Semelsberger, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Cara is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Science and her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies. She was the treasurer of her 2016 physician assistant class. During her education, she also completed medical mission work in Costa Rica and studied European healthcare systems while abroad in Ireland. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, she moved to St. Petersburg in 2017 and joined our practice shortly after.
Chandler Melton, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Chandler joined the practice in January 2019. Chandler graduated with her master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies from Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale in December 2018 and obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in biological science at the University of Alabama in 2015. Chandler was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida.
Savannah Poor, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Savannah graduated from the University of South Florida in 2015 with a Bachelors of Science in Integrative Biology. She was part of the inaugural Physician Assistant class with USF’s Morsani College of Medicine. Prior to moving to Tampa for college, she grew up in Orlando FL. Her clinical experience prior to PA school consisted of being a CNA and research, including a summer research internship at Mote Marine Laboratory studying sea turtle health and toxicology.
Stephanie Aldridge, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Stephanie graduated from Nova Southeastern University’s Fort Lauderdale Physician Assistant program with a Master’s in Medical Sciences in August 2021. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology with minors in Chemistry, and Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Miami in 2016. Stephanie was born and raised in Miami, Florida.
Ryan Ross, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Ryan is a graduate of Missouri Valley in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and Exercise Science. He graduated with a Master of Science in Advanced Athletic Training from The University of South Florida in 2013. He was in the inaugural Physician Assistant Program at the University of Tampa graduating in December 2021. Prior to joining our practice, he spent 10 years at John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Primary Care Sports Medicine. Ryan was born and raised in St. Petersburg.
Iris Saldana, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Iris is our Tampa office LPN. She joined our practice in January of 2016 after working for a primary care office for several years. Prior to that she worked in mental health and substance abuse. Her goal when becoming a nurse was to work with children and she really enjoys being here!
Meet Our Staff
Raena Steffen, MS, LAT, ATC, CKTP
Certified Athletic Trainer
Raena graduated from the University of South Florida in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, and a minor in Public Health. She was part of the inaugural Master of Science in Advanced Athletic Training class in the USF Morsani College of Medicine, graduating in 2013. She has experience in multiple clinical settings, including the physician practice, rehabilitation clinic, secondary schools, national-team sports, education, and research. Raena is the West Coast Representative for the Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida, as well as an active member of the Junior League of Tampa.
Erin Roca, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS
Certified Athletic Trainer
Erin graduated from the University of Florida in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2012 with a Master of Science in Applied Kinesiology and Physiology with a concentration in Athletic Training and Education. She has experience in multiple clinical settings, including the physician practice, rehabilitation clinic, secondary schools, national-team sports, education, and research. Erin lives in Clearwater with her husband, two children, and two dogs.