NCQA Recognized Practice

Dr. Federico Frias received his Doctor of Medicine degree with honors Cum Laude from Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena in the Dominican Republic and completed his Pediatric residency training at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, a primary affiliate of Albert Einstein School of Medicine (Yeshiva University).

• When I was a child I wanted to be: A superhero!
• I love: Education, establishing and building relationships, to serve others
• My favorite childhood memory is: Picking eggs with my Grandfather, spending time at my grandmother’s house.
• My favorite place: Sitting by the sea. Still today, I love to sit by the sea… it brings me peace.
• My favorite food: Fish and plantains

Dr. Rippy is a Board Certified Pediatrician. He received his undergraduate degree in Zoology at the University of Oklahoma. He attended medical school at St. George's University, with training in New York City. He graduated from Pediatric Residency at the University of Oklahoma, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr Rippy joined APC in June 2016.

• When I was a child I wanted to be: A Ranger or biologist. As a child I loved to explore, and observe birds and animals, and then study and learn about them. My interest in nature turned to studying medicine so that I could serve and help people.
• I love: Growing, learning and playing with my kids.
• My favorite childhood memory is: Meeting Heather, now my wife, in 3rd grade.
• My favorite place is: Near the edge of the ocean. Things are always more peaceful and playful, or reflective and dreamy.
• My favorite food is: Sushi, it is such a fun and healthy experience.

Dr. Acebal received an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Boston College. She attended Medical School at Universidad Central del Caribe in Puerto Rico, and completed her Residency in Pediatrics at University Pediatric Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dr. Acebal has devoted her professional career to work in Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units, as well as private pediatrics practice. Dr. Acebal relocated to Bradenton/Sarasota area in May 2018 and short there after joined the APC Pediatrics team.

• When I was a child I wanted to be: A veterinarian!
• I love: I love kayaking, hiking, and going to the beach with my kids.
• My favorite memory is: Seeing my kids playing in the snow for the first time.
• My favorite place: My favorite place is San Juan.
• My favorite food: Paella

Dr. Goyco received her undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico. She attended Medical School at the University of Medicine and Health Services in St Kitts, West Indies, and completed her Pediatrics Residency at Saint Peter's University Hospital in NJ. Dr. Goyco Ortiz relocated to Bradenton/Sarasota in June 2022 and shortly thereafter joined the APC Pediatrics team.

• When I was a child I wanted to be: A teacher.
• I love: To go to the beach, play sports and go to baseball games.
• My favorite childhood memory: Watching the sunset with my grandfather in Puerto Rico.
• My favorite place: Back home, Puerto Rico.
•  My favorite food: I will have to say pizza, but I will take Mofongo any day.

Heather Lucero joined APC Pediatrics in 2011. She attended the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program at the University of South Florida, in which she earned her Masters of Science degree in Nursing.

• When I was a child I wanted to be: a race car driver
• I love: medical research
• My favorite childhood memory is: Playing with friends, riding bikes, sleepovers, and never going inside until it was dark outside
• My favorite place is: Home
• My favorite food: Anything homemade

Kay Stump, ARNP, PNP-BC received a Master of Science and Post-Graduate Certification in Child Health at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She has over 13 years experience as a Pediatric/Adolescent Nurse Practitioner with a special interest in Asthma, Injury Prevention and Wellness Promotion.

• When I was a child I wanted to be a: I always wanted to be a nurse, I love working with kids!
• I love: traveling- many places are left on my bucket list!
• My favorite childhood memory is: Laughing the night away’ sleepover!
• My favorite place is: Wherever I am relaxing- beach, pool, vacation!
• My favorite food is: A great steak!

Originally born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Alexandra moved to the Philadelphia area in 2003 to attend nursing school at Villanova University. She started her nursing career at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia before returning to Villanova to continue her nursing education. She joined APC Pediatrics in December 2015.

• When I was a child I wanted to be a: Veterinarian! I loved animals and still do. At some point I realized that kids are much more fun!
• I love: Doing pretty much anything outside! I love to swim at the beach, golf, bike, and play tennis. Moving to Florida from Philadelphia has made that possible all year!
• My favorite childhood memory is: Summers in Ocean City, New Jersey. Some of my favorite memories include eating pizza and funnel cake on the boardwalk, playing mini golf and body surfing in the ocean.
• My favorite place is: Since moving to Florida, my favorite place is Anna Maria Island! I spend most of my free time at the beaches there. I don't think that will ever get old to me, it is so beautiful!
• My favorite food is: I can't say "no" to pizza! The best is Manco & Manco Pizza in Ocean City, NJ. Tastes best if eaten on the Ocean City boardwalk, of course!

Jo Price, ARNP, CPNP is a Board-Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She received a Bachelors and Masters in Science degree from the University of South Florida . She has 23 years of pediatric nursing experience that ranges from intensive care, pre and post operative care and outpatient primary care.

• When I was a child, I wanted to work with children in the healthcare field or in education.
• I love: the beach, photography, yoga and spending time with my husband and kids.
• My favorite childhood memory is: learning to cook Cuban food with my abuela.
• My favorite place: Space & St. John BVI
• My favorite food: king crab legs

Melanie Hasse, ARNP, CPNP is a Board-Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Melanie attended UCF for her bachelor's degree in nursing and then attended USF for her Family Nurse Practitioner degree, and finally attended RUSH university for Pediatric Acute Care certification. She has worked in wellness, urgent care, and pediatric hematology/oncology.

• When I was a child I wanted to be a teacher.
• I love: being outside!
• My favorite childhood memory: going to summer camp
• My favorite place: The Caribbean
•  My favorite food: cheese and chocolate!