Meet the Patient Navigators

Jenny Cordo, DNP, RN, NE-BC

Director of Professional Nursing Practice

Jenny Cordo is a board-certified nurse executive (NE-BC) with over 12 years of experience in nursing leadership, and 17 years overall with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

She completed bachelor’s degree in nursing from Boston College, master’s degree in nursing from Florida International University, and a doctorate degree (DNP) from the University of Miami in which she was recognized with the DNP Academic Excellence & Clinical Performance Award. Jenny has published various scholarly articles and has presented both podium and poster presentations across several professional organization conferences. She is a member of the American Nurses Association (ANA)/Florida Nurses Association (FNA), Florida Organization of Nurse Leaders (FONL)/South Florida Organization of Nurse Executives (SFONE), Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), and the Nursing Consortium of Florida (NCOF). In addition, Jenny is the FONL Public Relations Committee Chair and sits on the FONL board as a representative of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and the South Florida community of nursing leaders.

Flor Tena, MSN-Ed, RN, CBE, CCRN

Nurse Manager

Flor Tena is a nurse manager within the professional practice nursing team at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. She completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Florida International University and a master’s degree in nursing education at Aspen University in Colorado. She has over 20 years of experience in neonatal nursing.

Her clinical interests are focused on supporting families with navigating healthcare systems. Mrs. Tena is passionate about implementing the latest evidence-based practices and quality improvement projects in the NICU, while collaborating with other areas in the institution where neonates receive care. Her work has been highlighted at poster and podium presentations at local and national conferences.

Mrs. Tena is a member of National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) and American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). She is bilingual in Spanish and English.

Ines Borroto, RN

Patient Navigator, Fetal Care Services

Ines Borroto is a patient navigator for Nicklaus Children's Fetal Care Services.

Ms. Borroto has more than 24 years of experience in nursing. Prior to joining Nicklaus Children’s, she provided care in the Jackson Memorial Hospital operating room.

She completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Miami Dade College.

As a patient navigator for fetal care services, Ms. Borroto provides support to families expecting a baby that will be born with medical differences. Her clinical interests include offering support to expectant mothers and their partners to achieve the best possible outcomes.

To contact Ines, call 786-624-3222.

Staci Mendieta, MHSA

Patient Navigator, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program

Staci Mendieta-Amion is a patient navigator with the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program within the Nicklaus Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute. She completed both her bachelor's and master’s degrees in health service administration at Florida International University.

Prior to joining Nicklaus Children’s, Ms. Mendieta-Amion worked for Baptist Hospital in outpatient services and business support departments.

Her clinical interests include providing education, support, and coordinated guidance to patients and families throughout their blood and marrow transplant journey.

To contact Staci, please call 786-624-4628.

Audra Obando, BSN, RNC-OB, CLC, CBE

Patient Navigator, Fetal Care Services

Audra Obando is a patient navigator with Nicklaus Children’s Fetal Care Services. Prior to joining Nicklaus Children’s, Ms. Obando was a labor and delivery nurse at Jackson Memorial Hospital, providing care to high-risk obstetric patients in the triage, labor and delivery, operating room, and post-anesthesia care unit.

Ms. Obando completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Miami Dade College. She also obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. She has certifications in obstetric nursing and childbirth education and is a certified lactation counselor.

As a patient navigator for fetal care services, Ms. Obando provides support to families expecting a baby that will be born with medical differences. Her clinical interests include offering comprehensive patient education and family-centered care coordination.

To contact Audra, call 786-624-3222.

Nicole Orozco, BSN, RN, CPN

Patient Navigator, Center for Spinal Disorders

Nicole Orozco is a patient navigator with the Center for Spinal Disorders, part of the Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedic, Sports Medicine and Spine Institute.  Ms. Orozco obtained a bachelor’s degree in nursing from West Coast University.

As patient navigator, Ms. Orozco coordinates care for patients and families undergoing spinal surgery, offering support, timely information, and resources to achieve the best possible care outcomes. Her clinical interests are centered around providing exceptional care coordination for patients and their families.

To contact Nicole, call 786-624-4657.

Erica Penaranda, APRN, FNP-BC, MSN, CPHON

Patient Navigator, Inpatient Oncology

Erica Penaranda is a patient navigator for inpatient services within the Nicklaus Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute. She completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing at Chamberlain University.

Her clinical interests include patient advocacy, care coordination, patient education and providing much-needed emotional support to patients under hematologic/oncologic care. As the patient navigator for the Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute, she works collaboratively with a comprehensive team of pediatric specialists to enhance the overall experience and outcomes for children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment from initial diagnosis through the trajectory of their care.

To contact Erica, please call 786-624-6088.

Yesica Peraza, MSN, RN, CPN, CCRN

Patient Navigator, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Yesica Peraza is a patient navigator within the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She completed a master’s degree in nursing education at Capella University.

Mrs. Peraza began her nursing career at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital as a float pool nurse, several intensive care unit settings, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

As a patient navigator, Mrs. Peraza provides comprehensive education to parents of infants in the NICU. She serves as an advocate for both patients and their families in aiding in the transition from the NICU to the home setting.

To contact Yesica, please call 786-624-3378.

Jessica Quiñones, BSN, RN, CPN

Patient Navigator, Prenatal Heart Program
Fetal Heart Program and Cardiology

Jessica Quinones is a patient navigator for the Prenatal Heart Program within the Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute. Mrs. Quinones has more than 15 years of experience in caring for infants and children with congenital heart defects. She completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Miami.

Mrs. Quinones has been a member of the Nicklaus Children's family since 2005.  She started her nursing career caring for premature and critically ill infants in the Nicklaus Children's Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU).

As a patient navigator for the Heart Institute, Mrs. Quinones serves as a primary point of contact for families whose infants have been diagnosed with a heart defect prenatally. She aids referring physicians and families in connecting to the Heart Institute and in securing appointments with specialists, and in scheduling and explaining diagnostic tests and procedures. Her goal is to ensure that patients and families receive excellent care and the support they need to achieve the best possible outcome.

To reach Jessica, call 786-624-3610.

Amada Rico, BSN, RN

Patient Navigator, Diabetes

Amada Rico is a diabetes patient navigator within Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Division of Endocrinology. She completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Nova Southeastern University. She began her nursing career at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Ms. Rico later transitioned to case management, managing discharge planning for complex patients in the PICU.

As a diabetes patient navigator for the Division of Endocrinology, Ms. Rico provides education to patients and families of newly diagnosed Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Amada is passionate about patient education and providing support to families.

To reach Amada, please call 786-624-3241.

Bianca Santamarina, MSN, RN, CPHON

Patient Navigator, Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT)/Palliative Care

Bianca Santamarina is a patient navigator within Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT). She completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a minor in psychology from Florida International University. She also completed a master’s degree in nursing with a focus on nursing leadership at West Coast University.

Ms. Santamarina started her nursing career in hematology/oncology. has also served as a clinical nurse specialist for specialty programs including the pain team, palliative care, vascular access, and wound care. 
As a patient navigator, Ms. Santamarina offers comprehensive education, guidance, care coordination and advocacy for patients and families under palliative care services.

To contact Bianca, please call 786-624-3079.

Marcia Serrano, BSN, RN

Patient Navigator, Ventilation-Assisted Children's Center (VACC)/ Division of Pulmonology

Marcia Serrano is a patient navigator for the Ventilation-Assisted Children’s Center (VACC) within Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Division of Pulmonology.  She completed an associate degree in nursing from Keiser University and her bachelor's in nursing from West Coast University.

Ms. Serrano began her career in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Nicklaus Children's Hospital where she honed her skills in working with infants and parents in a critical care setting.  Her clinical interests are centered around providing compassionate, family centered care and quality.

To reach Marcia, call 786-624-4507.

Patricia Tavio, MSN, APRN, CPN, CNRN

Patient Navigator, Comprehensive Epilepsy Program

Patricia Tavio is a patient navigator with the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program within the Nicklaus Children’s Brain Institute.

She completed a bachelor's degree in nursing at Florida International University and a master’s degree at Barry University. She also obtained a certification as a family nurse practitioner and certified neuroscience registered nurse. Mrs. Tavio began her nursing career in the neurology/neurosurgery unit, providing inpatient care to children with epilepsy, brain tumors, hydrocephalus, and chronic neurologic disorders. Her clinical interests include providing advocacy and guidance to patients and families to establish a continuum of care for the best possible outcomes.

To contact Patricia, please call 786-624-4714.

Katherine Zamora, BSN, RN, CPHON, BMTCN

Patient Navigator, Outpatient Oncology

Katherine Zamora is a patient navigator for outpatient hematology/oncology services within the Nicklaus Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute. She completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing and art history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ms. Zamora is a certified APHON pediatric chemotherapy and biotherapy provider.

She began her nursing career providing comprehensive care to patients with cancer and blood disorders. She then transitioned to the Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) core team, a team of four nurses specialized in the complex care of patients receiving a hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

As a patient navigator for the Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute, Ms. Zamora offers comprehensive support to families from initial diagnosis throughout their course of treatment, education, and care coordination. She is passionate about the care and advocacy of the pediatric oncology population and works closely with the comprehensive care team and as a liaison for patients and families facing a cancer diagnosis.

Lauren Zubizarreta, BSN, RN, CPHON

Patient Navigator, Center for Spinal Disorders

Lauren Zubizarreta is a patient navigator for the Center for Spinal Disorders, part of Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, and Spine Institute. She completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Miami. She is also a certified pediatric hematology oncology nurse (CPHON) provider.

As a patient navigator for the Center for Spinal Disorders, she serves as a primary point of contact for patients and families undergoing surgical spine care. Ms. Zubizarreta is passionate about providing coordinated care and guidance to patients and their families throughout their care journey.

To contact Lauren, please call 786-624-4557.