As a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, I care for children of all ages, from extremely premature infants in the NICU to teenagers and young adults. My work includes common infections such as viral illnesses (including adenovirus, influenza and SARS-CoV-2) and bacterial infections like pneumonia, meningitis and osteomyelitis. I also treat imported diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other zoonotic or rickettsial infections.

I have a special interest in mycobacterial infections, including tuberculosis and atypical (nontuberculous) mycobacteria, which often affect immunocompromised or structurally vulnerable patients. I also care for children with cancer, primary immunodeficiency and organ transplants who are at risk for unusual or opportunistic infections.

Both of my parents were pediatricians, so I grew up surrounded by medicine. Living in the Dominican Republic, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact of infectious diseases on children and their families. Early on, I knew I wanted to make a difference, especially in hospital settings where children are often at their most vulnerable. I’ve always been drawn to the complexity of this field, and I thrive on challenging cases that require thoughtful diagnosis and close collaboration across specialties.

As director of Infection Control and Antibiotic Stewardship at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, my focus is on preventing infections before they happen. I lead efforts to reduce hospital-acquired infections, identify outbreaks early and respond with targeted strategies. Each morning begins in the microbiology lab, where I personally review culture results from across the hospital. I regularly collaborate with and provide guidance to physicians, even outside formal consultations. Antibiotic stewardship is also one of my greatest passions, helping clinicians make thoughtful, evidence-based decisions and developing reliable protocols for common scenarios.

When working with patients, I give 100% to every child and family. That often means reaching out to colleagues, reviewing the literature or thinking through a difficult case long after hours. We don’t always have answers right away, but I believe in persistence, teamwork and never giving up on a child.

Supporting families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives is one of the most meaningful parts of this work. Helping parents understand what’s happening — and watching their trust grow as their child recovers — is something I never take for granted. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a child overcome a serious infection and walk out of the hospital smiling and well.

In addition to my clinical and leadership roles, I’m passionate about medical education. I work closely with pediatric residents, especially on thoughtful antibiotic use, and view every patient encounter as an opportunity to teach.

I’m a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP) and an active member of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. I also maintain strong ties to the Dominican Republic, where I serve as an invited teaching professor for the pediatric residency program at Robert Reid Cabral Children's Hospital, supporting the next generation of pediatricians.

Languages

• Spanish
• English

• Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
• Memorial Hospital Miramar
• Memorial Hospital West
• Memorial Regional Hospital