Meet Our Surgeons
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 East Lake, JHAC Outpatient Care of Pasco
Brian R. Piazza, MD, MSc
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
St. Petersburg Office, Tampa Office, JHAC Outpatient Care of Sarasota, 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
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
Jeffrey B. Neustadt, MD
Emeritus
Paul L. Benfanti, 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.
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.
Erica Ayral, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Erica graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. She graduated with a Master of Science in Sports Management from The United States Sports Academy in 2012. She later graduated from the Barry University Physician Assistant Program in December 2017. Erica was born and raised in New Jersey and moved to St. Petersburg in 2010. Prior to joining our practice in 2023, she spent 6 years working in Urgent Care. She is an active board member of the St. Petersburg Junior Women’s Club.
Erin McBride, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Erin was a student athlete at Indiana University and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and minor in Spanish. She graduated from South University in Tampa with her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies in 2021. Prior to joining COSSA, she worked as a pain management PA for 3 years in Clearwater. Erin was born in Michigan and raised in Indiana before moving to Florida.
Jordan Mackey, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Jordan is originally from the east coast of Florida. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences at the University of Florida and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies at South College in Knoxville, TN in 2022. Jordan returned to Florida and began her career in adult Neurosurgery before transitioning to pediatric orthopedic surgery.
Meet Our Nurses
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!
Maria Monzon, RN
Registered Nurse
Maria is a Registered Nurse with several years of experience in the medical field. She received her degree in Nursing from Rasmussen University and is currently furthering her education. Prior to joining our practice in 2024, she worked at a pediatric primary care for 5 years where she developed her passion for working with kids and was motivated to become a nurse.
Meet Our Athletic Trainers
Emma Kessinger, MS, LAT, ATC
Certified Athletic Trainer
Emma graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2024 with a Master of Science in Athletic Training. She has experience in multiple clinical settings, including secondary schools, physician practice, collegiate sports, and research. She is currently the Head Athletic Trainer for Keswick Christian School. Emma was born and raised in Central Florida and moved to Saint Petersburg in 2024.
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.