Pediatrics

Watson Clinic Highlands:
863-607-3346
Watson Clinic North Pediatrics:
863-680-7337
Watson Clinic Plant City:
813-719-2500
Watson Clinic South:
863-647-8012

Monday - Friday: 
8 am - 5 pm (All Locations)
Saturday:
8:30 am - 12 pm (N. Pediatrics Only)
Reserved for Sick Visits

A good pediatrician is like a trusted member of your family; always there when your child needs personalized care and available to help with a parent’s concern. Watson Clinic offers board-certified doctors with open appointments at four convenient locations, joined by a warm and accommodating nursing staff. They also have pediatricians at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in case your child ever needs hospital care. From regular checkups to the latest advancements in disease prevention, Watson Clinic’s pediatric team is dedicated to keeping your child active and healthy.
 
Office Hours and Appointments
Patients are seen by appointment, so please call in advance before bringing in your child. Please advise us in advance if another child needs to be evaluated. For Watson Clinic patients, every effort is made to offer same-day care with your established pediatrician. Most appointment requests can be accommodated within 24 hours of when the call is received. If your established pediatrician is unavailable, another member of our pediatric medical team will see your child at one of our convenient locations.  
 
If you are a new patient or have not been seen in Pediatrics in three years or more, please plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment. You will be asked to fill out new patient forms and health insurance information, so be sure to bring your insurance card, driver’s license and a copy of your child’s immunization records.
 
When immediate pediatric care is needed on a Saturday, our Watson Clinic North Pediatrics location offers appointment availability between the hours of 8 am to 12 pm for sick visits and newborns who are within 48 hours of discharge from the hospital. Saturday appointments cannot be reserved in advance, and must be scheduled on the same day by calling 863-680-7337.
 
Dr. Jolie Szocki recently expanded her appointment availability to include early morning appointments for her patients from our Watson Clinic North Pediatrics location. She now offers appointments starting at 7:30 am Monday through Friday.
 
If you have not been called to see your physician after 30 minutes, please let the receptionist know. Every effort will be made to keep you informed should an emergency occur and prolong your wait.
 
If you need to cancel your child's appointment, we ask that you please notify us 24 hours in advance. Your thoughtful consideration will help us fill that appointment time for another child in need. In the meantime, we will quickly reschedule your child's appointment so they can receive the care they need at a time that is more convenient for them.
 
After Hours Emergencies
The physicians in our group share and rotate after-hours coverage for all patients. If you call the office after-hours, your call will be received by the answering service. The operator will communicate your message with the on-call pediatrician.
 
We provide 24-hour coverage year round for our patients. All non-urgent problems, routine advice, prescription refills, etc., should be handled during office hours. If you think there is a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.

Additional Links:

Medication Refill Requests
Office Visits & Treatment Authorization
Pediatrics Vaccine Policy Statement
 
*If your child is sick and requires prompt attention, please contact our offices and we will make every effort to schedule you for same-day care.
 

Pediatric Physicians:

Dr. Leslie Coello
Echeverry
Leslie Coello Echeverry, MD
Dr. Coello Echeverry's Brochure 
  • Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, MD
  • Internship & Residency: University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
  • Board-certified: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics
  • Member: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, Florida medical Association, Hillsborough County Medical Association, National Med-Peds Residents' Association - Alumni Status
 

Dr. W. Jason Cornett
W. Jason Cornett, MD
  • Medical School: University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, MD
  • Internship & Residency: University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, Pediatrics
  • Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, Gastroenterology
  • Board-certified: Pediatrics
  • Member: American Academy Pediatrics

Dr. Holly Cunneen
Holly Cunneen, DO
  • Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, DO
  • Residency: East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, Pediatrics
  • Board-certified: Pediatrics
  • Member: American Academy Pediatrics

Dr. Varsha Ghayal
Varsha Ghayal, MD
Dr. Ghayal's Brochure
Expanded Bio
  • Medical School: Thomas Jefferson University - Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA, MD
  • Internship & Residency: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ
  • Board-certified: Pediatrics
  • Member: American Academy of Pediatrics

Dr. Cynthia H. Hutto
Cynthia H. Hutto, MD
  • Medical School: University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, MD
  • Residency: All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, Pediatrics
  • Board-certified: Pediatrics
  • Member: American Academy of Pediatrics

Dr. Jolie Szocki
Jolie Szocki, MD
Dr. Szocki's Brochure
  • Medical School: University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, MD
  • Residency: University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, Pediatrics
  • Fellowship: University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
  • Board-certified: Pediatrics
  • Member: American Association of Pediatrics, American Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology

Dr. Sheena H. Tonkin
Sheena H. Tonkin, MD
  • Medical School: Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, MD
  • Internship & Residency: Eastern Virginia Medical School/Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, Norfolk, VA, Pediatrics
  • Board-certified: Pediatrics
  • Member: American Academy of Pediatrics

Dr. Kendra Velez
Rodriguez
Kendra Velez Rodriguez, MD
Expanded Bio
  • Medical School: George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, MD
  • Internship & Residency: University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, Pediatrics
  • Board-certified: Pediatrics
  • Member: American Academy of Pediatrics

Katherine Puisis
Katherine Puisis, APRN
  • Nursing School: Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers, FL, BSN
  • Masters Program: Florida International University, Miami, FL, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Member: Certified Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association
  • Supervising Physicians: Holly Cunneen, DO, Varsha Ghayal, MD and Sheena H. Tonkin, MD

Ariel Vulgamore
Ariel A. Vulgamore, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
  • Nursing School: University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, BSN
  • Doctorate Program: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, DNP, Pediatric Primary Care
  • Member: Certified Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
  • Supervising Physicians: W. Jason Cornett, MD and Kendra Velez Rodriguez, MD




Locations

Watson Clinic Highlands
2300 E. County Road 540A
Lakeland Highlands, FL 33813

Watson Clinic North Pediatrics
1430 Lakeland Hills Blvd.
Lakeland, FL 33805

Watson Clinic Plant City
615 E. Alexander St.
Plant City, FL 33563

Watson Clinic South
1033 N. Parkway Frontage Rd.
Lakeland, FL 33803