Written by: Featured In the Community Women

50 Years of Care at Kings Bay Pediatrics

By Judy Sanchez

For 50 years, Kings Bay Pediatrics has been serving the Pinecrest and South Florida communities with exceptional care. In 1975, Dr. Phillip Paul and Dr. Kenneth Flicker opened the practice; and half a century later, it continues to thrive.

Founder Dr. Phillip Paul and retired partner Dr. Norman Goldberg

The current office, located in the heart of Pinecrest on South Dixie Highway, includes 6 female doctors and a staff of 30.

A Team Rooted in Miami

Dr. Linda Keller, the most tenured physician, has been with Kings Bay Pediatrics for 35 years. She studied at the University of Miami School of Medicine and completed her residency in Miami.

She is not the only doctor with local ties.

Dr. Ayleen Pinera-Llano, who joined in 1998; Dr. Madelyn Dones, who joined in 2001; Dr. Danielle Katz Squires, who joined in 2014; and Dr. Cheryl Cornely, who joined in 2019 all attended the University of Miami for medical school and completed residencies at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Claudia Sierra, who joined the practice in 2018, attended Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine and residency at San Lucas Hospital.

In July, Dr. Pinera-Llanoʼs daughter, Gabriella Llano-Cordero, will join the team.

Personalized, Family-Centered Care

(left to right) Dr. Cheryl Cornely, Dr. Madelyn Dones, Dr. Linda Keller, Dr. Ayleen Pinera-Llano, Dr. Danielle Katz Squires, Dr. Claudia Sierra

At Kings Bay Pediatrics, patients are treated like family. The doctors and staff work to ensure every child feels comfortable and at ease.

“Medicine can be such an impersonal experience,” Dr. Cornely said. “But we try to give everyone a very personalized approach.”

The practice provides annual checkups, sports physicals, growth and development monitoring, acute sick care and same-day appointments.

“We have patients as young as a few days old to 22 years old. We see them as babies, follow them through all their milestones, and they stay with us until they graduate college,” Dr. Squires said.

The practice currently cares for more than 10,000 patients.

Kings Bay Pediatrics prides itself on its diverse patient population. The office accepts a variety of insurance plans, and staff members speak both English and Spanish. Dr. Pinera-Llano serves on the Down Syndrome Association of Miami board, and the practice supports many special-needs patients.

The team has privileges at Baptist Hospital, South Miami Hospital and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, allowing them to coordinate care seamlessly. The doctors have access to labs, charts and hospital records, ensuring continuity of care even when patients are admitted.

“We go the extra mile to keep in touch with our families,” Dr. Cornely said. “If a patient needs to see a specialist, we call ahead. If a child ends up in the hospital, we check in on them every day.”

Celebrating 50 Years — and Looking Ahead

On November 6, the team celebrated its 50th anniversary alongside current staff, founder Dr. Paul and retired partner Dr. Norman Goldberg, and numerous local partners and specialists. Cardiologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, neurologists, surgeons and geneticists ob-gyns attended to honor Kings Bay Pediatrics for its long-standing service to South Florida families.

As for the next 50 years, the team remains focused on its core mission.

“We all came here and have stayed here,” said Dr. Pinera-Llano. “We want to continue caring for the families in our community. Technology has changed, but not the level of our care. We want to continue serving our patients for the next 50 years.”


Kings Bay Pediatrics is located in Pinecrest at 13101 South Dixie Highway, Suite 320. To learn more, please visit kingsbaypediatrics.com or call 305.253.5585.

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