Meet our Providers

Marcia Gayoso, M.D., F.A.A.P., was born in Brazil, where she attended medical school at the University of Rio De Janeiro. She moved to the U.S. in 1993 and finished her residency at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. She practiced in Indiana where she worked for three years in underserved areas, helping multicultural communities. Returning to Orlando in 2002, she partnered with Central Florida Pediatrics for six years and then in 2009 founded iKids Pediatrics. Today, as the president and senior director of iKids, she enjoys her multicultural practice as well the doctors and staff she works with. Above all, she loves being married to her husband of 35 years and being a mother to two sons that are now college graduates.

Cavelle Benjamin-Arias, M.D., F.A.A.P., is originally from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. She attended Florida International University in Miami and University of South Florida in Tampa for her undergraduate degree. She graduated from University of South Florida College of Medicine in 1998 and pursued her pediatric residency training at Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando. As a Board Certified Pediatrician, she has been in private practice since 2001. Dr Benjamin-Arias joined iKids Pediatrics in 2011. She also has been a volunteer at Shepherds Hope community center for 11 years. She and her husband James have two daughters, Elyse and Adeline. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and reading.

Laura Diaz de Ortiz, M.D., F.A.A.P. is a board-certified pediatrician originally from the Dominican Republic who believes great pediatric care starts with listening and building trust with families. She earned her medical degree from Universidad Central del Este, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and completed her pediatric residency at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln Medical Center, affiliated with Cornell University. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Diaz cares for newborns through adolescents, with interests in preventive care, healthy growth, asthma, mental health, and pediatric skin conditions. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is currently learning Portuguese. Outside the office, Dr. Diaz is a wife and mom to two daughters who enjoys crafts, gardening and listening to music.

Dr. Paula R.S. Focante is a board-certified pediatrician with training in both Brazil and the United States. She earned her medical degree from Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Santos and completed her pediatric residency at UNIFESP ( Escola Paulista de Medicina) before pursuing additional residency training at Driscoll Children’s Hospital / Texas A&M University of Medicine. In 2024, she moved to Orlando to join the iKids Pediatrics family, where she is dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized, and family-centered care. As a wife and mother of two daughters, Dr. Focante understands the importance of trust, empathy, and strong partnerships with parents. Outside of medicine, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, and baking cakes for her loved ones

Bianca Espinal, M.D. was born in the Dominican Republic and earned her medical degree from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) in Santiago. She moved to the United States in 2016 and completed her Pediatrics residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in 2019. Dr. Espinal practiced in Washington Heights, NY for five years before relocating to Orlando in 2024. After working with Pediatric Associates, she joined iKids Pediatrics in July 2025, where she currently practices. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. In her free time, she loves crafts, puzzles, crocheting, and watching K-dramas.

Dr Rute Borges Cardoso, M.D was born in Brazil and earned her medical degree from Universidade de Riberirao Preto in 2007. She completed her first residency at Universidade Federal de Uberlandia in 2012 and completed her second residency in Pediatrics at AdventHealth Hospital in 2026. Shortly afterwards, she joined the team at iKids Pediatrics, where she currently practices. Dr. Borges brings a compassionate, patient-centered approach to pediatric care and shares our commitment to supporting the health and well-being of every child we serve. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and cheering on her daughter from the sidelines at her gymnastics competitions.

Heather Ashler, A.P.R.N., is a native Floridian. She graduated from Florida State University in 2000 with her BS in nursing. She worked in a variety of settings as a RN. She completed her MS in nursing in 2007 from University of South Alabama. She is board certified as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. She is married with two children. She enjoys exercising, reading, spending time with family and friends. Mrs. Ashler joined IKids Pediatrics in 2016.

Melissa Jimenez, P.A.-C, graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from the University of Central Florida in 2014. She completed a Master’s of Medical Sciences in Physician Assistant Studies with Honors at Nova Southeastern University in Orlando, FL in 2019. Shortly after completing her education, she joined the team at iKids Pediatrics, where she currently still practices. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two children.

Amanda Uribe, A.P.R.N, F.N.P.-C, I.B.C.L.C, was originally trained as a pediatrician in Venezuela before later pursuing a second professional path in the United States, becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner while continuing her lifelong commitment to children’s health. Caring for children with complex medical conditions strengthened both her clinical expertise and her compassion, reaffirming that pediatrics is exactly where she is meant to be. As an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Amanda believes parents deserve clear answers, thoughtful guidance, and a provider who truly listens. Fluent in English and Spanish, she considers it a privilege to partner with families as they navigate each stage of childhood. Outside the office, Amanda enjoys spending time with her three children, taking long walks, watching a good weekend series, and traveling whenever she has the opportunity.

815 Woodbury Road Ste 102, Orlando, FL 32828

9430 Turkey Lake Road Ste 208, Orlando, FL 32819

2940 Park Pond Wy, Kissimmee, FL 34741

(407) 208-9870 Voice / (407) 208-9868 Fax

Business Hours: Monday through Friday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM

815 Woodbury Road Ste 102, Orlando, FL 32828

9430 Turkey Lake Road Ste 208, Orlando, FL 32819

(407) 208-9870 Voice / (407) 208-9868 Fax

Business Hours: Monday through Friday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM

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