Our Team
Our expert team of medical providers
Ernesto A. Nuñez-Muniz, MD & CEO
Ernesto Nuñez, M.D. is a board-certified pediatrician. He is a member and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Nuñez grew up in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic where he attended INTEC Medical School. He completed his residency in Pediatrics at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, New York associated with the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Nuñez has privileges with the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. He divides his time between seeing patients and managing the clinics to ensure that we provide our staff and our patient with the best in technology and medical testing.
Dr. Nuñez has been a Pediatrician in Texas for over 20 years. He opened his first practice in Mesquite in 2000 as a solo practitioner. Since then, he has been joined by a group of talented healthcare providers.
Patrick Tarango, PA-C
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Patrick Tarango was born and raised in El Paso Texas but left home to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas, where he graduated with honors. Soon after earning his Bachelor’s degree Mr. Tarango spent 1 1/2 years teaching Biology and Chemistry at the High school in Waco Texas. In 2002 Patrick was accepted into the UT Southwestern School of Allied Health and received his Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree in 2004. Mr. Tarango has been with the Pediatric Clinic of Mesquite since January of 2005. He enjoys working with children and is always looking to have a positive impact on the lives of his patients. Patrick is the proud father of two beautiful girls and enjoys spending the quality time with his family, however, when not at home, he will usually be found at the golf course working on his golf game.
Tania Diaz, MD
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Tania Diaz, M.D. is a board-certified pediatrician. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Texas Medical Association. Dr. Diaz is a graduate of the Autonomous National University of Nicaragua. She completed her pediatric residency at Saint Luke’s Memorial Hospital (associated with Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico) in 2007. During her training she participated in many scientific research studies in the fields of asthma and diabetes. She was a resident representative in the hospital administrative committee and the National Committee of Interns and Residents. She is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, such as an American Academy of a Pediatrics Scholarship. Dr. Diaz has also been appointed as a Clinical Instructor for medical students and was selected as a Chief Resident during her residency. Her articles have been published in Neo Review Magazine. In addition, she has actively participated in the Reach Out and Read program (reading for kids) Though extensively trained and experienced in every area of pediatrics, Dr. Diaz has also developed a special interest in allergy and asthma management, dermatology, endocrine, nephrology, upper and lower respiratory infections, newborn care, patient education and prevention. She joined our practice in 2008 and is affiliated with Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. Dr. Diaz loves kids! She is married and is the mother to two beautiful boys, Oscar and Carlos. “I am dedicated to promoting excellent quality medical care; and to having integrity, compassion and empathy with my patients and their families”
Yesenia Sigala-Garcia, PNP
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Yesenia Sigala-Garcia received her Master of Science degree in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University and her Pediatric Nurse Practitioner License in 2008. Before receiving her Master’s degree, she worked as a pediatric nurse at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas with a focus on pediatric gastrointestinal disease, general pediatrics, Neurosurgery, and Plastic surgery. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2003. The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board certifies her to practice, and she is a member of the NAPNAP (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Professional Association). Yesenia Sigala-Garcia has been with the Pediatric Clinic of Mesquite since August 2008, where she has enjoyed working with children and their families. She approaches her practice from a disease prevention perspective, and enjoys seeing children from birth to adolescence. She is licensed to perform wellness examinations, diagnose and medically manage common childhood illnesses. She is always looking for opportunities to provide teaching and health promotion to patients and their families.
Mariel Silva, MD
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Dr. Mariel Silva is a Board Certified Pediatrician and fellow of the Academy of Pediatrics. She joined Pediatric Clinic of Mesquite in 2010. Dr. Silva earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and her Medical Degree (MD) from Ross University in Dominica, West Indies. Following, she did her residency in Pediatrics at St Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where she served as the Chief Resident in 2007. During her residency she concentrated her research on allergy and asthma related problems. Dr. Silva is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
Joshua Langhorne, MD
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Joshua Langhorne is originally from the DFW area. He received his bachelor’s degree in Biology and Philosophy-Psychology-Neuroscience from Washington University in St. Louis in 2003 and graduated Summa Cum Laude. He then remained at Washington University to attend a medical school and spent some time learning Spanish in Spain, Mexico, Nicaragua and Bolivia. He also practiced his medical Spanish through volunteer work at La Clinica, a free medical clinic for the immigrant community in St. Louis. He completed his residency training at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York, an academic children’s hospital affiliated with Columbia University in Washington Heights, Manhattan. Dr. Langhorne is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, and he has an active membership in the American Academy of Pediatrics, with the designation F.A.A.P. (Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics). His interests include eczema and asthma, and he has enjoyed his time at the Pediatric Clinic of Mesquite and the Kids Wellness Center since 2010.
Lilliam Garcia Cortes, MD
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Lilliam Ivette Garcia Cortes, M.D., is a Board Certified Pediatrician. She received her medical training at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, graduating with high honors in 1996 and completed her residency in Pediatrics at Pediatric University Hospital San Juan Medical Center in 1999. After she completed her training, she received vast recognition for her outstanding work as the Chief Resident of Pediatrics. Due to her extensive knowledge of pediatric critical care, she was appointed in-house attending Pediatrician at Saint Luke’s Memorial Hospital in Ponce Puerto Rico in July of 2000. Dr. Lilliam Garcia actively participated in the training of Pediatric residents as a faculty member of Ponce School of Medicine for the past 14 years. Her greatest satisfaction was to be a part of the new residents training and to help families, children and newborns in their most critical time. The mother of two beautiful children, Dr. Garcia is aware of the role of the Pediatrician in the promotion of healthy habits and the prevention of injury and illness. “Children are our future and I am committed in starting them with a healthy beginning by providing excellent medical care.”
Sheila Franceshi Capre, MD
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Dr. Sheila M. Capre-Franceschi is a Board Certified Pediatrician, fellow of the Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Texas Medical Association. Dr. Capre-Franceschi was born and raised in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. She obtained her bachelor degree in General Science in Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, after that she received her medical degree in Ponce School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency training in Saint Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Dr. Capre-Franceschi was offered an Attending position in her former pediatric residency where she worked for 4 years with residents and also was an associate professor in Ponce Health Science University, she really enjoyed teaching and working with the residents and medical students. During that time, she also worked on the ER and a small private practice. Dr. Capre-Franceschi move to Texas in 2017 with her husband and 2 children to join the Pediatric Clinic of Garland.
Audrey Gonzalez, PA-C
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Audrey was born and raised in Eagle Pass, TX, a small border town. She received her undergraduate education from the University of Houston-Downtown, with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. There she was involved in undergraduate research which led her to work at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Audrey worked in clinical trials using Adoptive T Cell therapy to treat stage III/IV metastatic melanoma patients. She moved to Dallas to attend the University of Texas Southwestern School of Health Professions, where she received her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies in December of 2017. She loves traveling with her husband to different countries, learning from different cultures, painting, and soccer. She enjoys practicing preventive medicine, working with children and establishing lasting relationships with families.
Yohanna Andrade, MD
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Dr. Andrade is a board-certified pediatrician who obtained her medical degree in 2001 from the University Pontificia Javeriana (Bogota, Colombia) during her clinical rotations she spent 4 months at San Pao hospital in Barcelona, Spain learning about Pediatric Endocrinology. After graduation she was offered a position as clinical research coordinator at the Center for Liver Disease in the University of Miami, where she was involved in the new treatments for liver illnesses. She continued working in research on a multicenter study of the current children’s rotavirus vaccine (Rotateq-GSK) as one of the principal investigators, publishing an article in the prestigious “Viral immunology” medical magazine in 2007. After 3 years of extra study and multiple tests she transferred her medical degree to United States and specialized in Pediatrics, she was offered a pre-match position at Saint Peter’s Children’s Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ where she trained and worked for 3 years, as part of her clinical rotations, Dr. Andrade spent some time at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia ranked the “Best Children’s Hospital in US” for many years. In 2011, she volunteers at a medical mission in rural areas of Guatemala, offering free pediatric care and medications to children in small villages. Also translated a newborn care manual from English to Spanish to be distributed to the Midwives in the same communities. In 2010 she moved to Texas where she started working in private practice and then was part of Children’s Health pediatric practice for over 6 years. She has special interest for Homeopathic Medicine since 2017 when she was trained at CEDH in Houston, Tx. She join the Pediatric Clinic of Garland in 2019 where she provides care to children from 0 to 18 years old with all type of conditions. Dr. Andrade is devoted to making the world a better place by helping parents raise happy and healthy children.
Frank R. Morales, PA-C
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Born in DR in 1966, grew up in PR until I was 18 years old. Moved to Texas in 1985, graduated from UT Southwestern PA School in 1994. Proud father of 5 kids (26, 24, 22, 8 and 6 years old) and now lives in Rockwall with the two little ones. I have been a PA for 26 years with experience in Urgent Care, Orthopedics and Pediatrics. Besides the passion of helping others by preserving their health and finding a balance in life, I also have a passion in youth sports as a coach of Soccer and Baseball. My hobbies are movies, Stoic philosophy, motorcycles and spending time with the family.
Khalid Syed, MD
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Dr. Khalid Syed is a Board Certified Pediatrician who received his M.Sc. in Genetics from University of Karachi, Pakistan and his Medical Degree from Caribbean. He completed his pediatric residency in 1994 at the Winthrop University Hospital (NYU) in New York. After the completion of his residency, Dr. Syed relocated to Connecticut and joined the staff of the Yale-New Haven medical center and St. Raphael hospital in New Haven for about more than a year. Then he moved to Warwick, New York where he joined a pediatric private practice, St. Anthony community hospital and St. Joseph Children’s hospital in NJ. He also served as chief of Pediatrics at St. Anthony community hospital, Warwick, NY. After several years in New York, he moved to New Jersey 2012 and joined another private pediatric group in Passaic, NJ. After practicing for 23 years in tristate area he and his wife Naureen moved to Texas. He joined United Medical Centers in 2017 and joined NTACHC, Northside clinic in 2019 where He also served as Chief of Pediatrics before joining PedCare family in 2020. Dr. Syed precepted medical students from New York Medical College, NY and also FNP students from UT Arlington and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX. Dr. Syed is a Board Certified Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics, fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (F.A.A.P.) and a member of the Texas Medical Association and the Dallas County Medical Society. His approach to medical care is child-centered, family-focused, and collaborative. He also believes that good communication with parents, families, and the children we care for is vital to a successful doctor-patient relationship. Dr. Syed and Naureen are blessed with three children: two sons and a daughter. Dr. Syed enjoys professional football, basketball, tennis, cricket, reading, gardening, travelling and going to movies.
Andrea Pavia, PA-C
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Andrea Pavia was born and raised in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Studied Biology at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas and was involved in undergraduate research. She took a position as a research scientist at UT Southwestern, where she worked for 6 years studying Renal Cell Carcinoma pathways, developing a tumorgraft program, and working on clinical trials for the Kidney Cancer Program. She left this position to attend UT Southwestern School of Health professions, where she received high honors and her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies on December 2018. She enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, and is an avid crafter.
Dante Gutierrez, FNP
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Born in Mexico and began middle school in the Rio Grande Valley. Attended the University of of Texas Rio Grande Valley, pursuing a degree in nursing health sciences. Worked as a health educator which involved teaching health promotion to children, adults, and older adults. Work as a health educator focused on healthy dietary habits to prevent and manage chronic health diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and overweight and obesity. As a registered nurse, worked in Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg, TX, with a focus on pediatrics, pediatric oncology, pediatric stepdown, pediatric intensive care units caring for children of all ages and with different health care needs. Returned to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to complete a Master of Nursing Science degree to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Enjoy spending time with family, and traveling.
Leslie Diaz, PA-C
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Leslie Diaz was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She attended Texas Woman’s University for her Bachelor of Science in Biology degree. While there she pursued further knowledge and experience as a nurse aid, phlebotomy, and pharmacy technician to kick start her career in medicine. She moved to South Texas and completed her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2022. As a new provider she is excited to move back to her hometown and serve the community that helped raise her. With a passion for helping others, it is her goal to nurture and protect our little ones in their own missions to a brighter future.
Lianne Bencomo Tejeiro, PA-C
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Lianne enjoys spending time with her loved ones, particularly going on walks and adventures with her husband and fur baby. As a provider, she is most passionate about placing a strong focus on pediatric preventive medicine to help children establish healthy habits from a young age. She is excited to play a role in all stages of a child’s life and to create long-lasting relationships with the families. Lianne was born and raised in Cuba. She completed her undergraduate education in Neuroscience at The University of Texas at Dallas, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2020. She then attended the University of Texas Southwestern School of Health Professions to receive her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies in December 2023.
Veronica Forsythe, MD
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Veronica Forsythe M.D. is a fully bilingual, board-certified pediatrician and a member of the Texas Medical Association. She feels truly blessed to care for children and families and considers it a privilege to walk alongside them as their children grow. Born and raised in Managua, Nicaragua, Dr. Forsythe moved to Panama as a teenager, where she pursued her childhood dream of becoming a physician and earned her medical degree from the Universidad de Panamá in 2000. After medical school, she served as a primary care physician in indigenous communities in the Darién rainforest. That experience deeply shaped her approach to medicine and taught her the importance of listening, understanding each family’s circumstances, and caring for the whole person. She completed her pediatric residency at Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, where she later served as a Clinical Associate Professor and enjoyed teaching medical students and pediatric residents. Dr. Forsythe is passionate about helping children and teens thrive. She believes in building a strong foundation for lifelong health through prevention, nutrition, healthy habits, and a trusting relationship with families. Her Catholic faith is an important part of her life and inspires her to serve each child and family with compassion, respect, and genuine care. Outside of medicine, she is a wife and mother of two. She loves spending time with her family, cooking and baking, exploring small towns and rural places, and staying active. She enjoys a good HIIT workout, but will happily trade it for a beautiful hike, a day of exploring, or simply time with the people she loves.
Alejandro Rodriguez, PA-C
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Alejandro Rodriguez was born in the small town of Uvalde, TX but grew up in Austin, TX. He decided to leave home and earn a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health from Texas A&M University at College Station, where he graduated with honors. Following graduation, Mr. Rodriguez worked as a nursing assistant at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin on a Medical/Surgical floor with a strong emphasis on chemotherapy and bariatric surgery. In May of 2019, Alejandro was accepted into the UT Southwestern School of Health Professions and graduated with his Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree in December of 2021. During his time at UT Southwestern, Alejandro had the opportunity to spend a month at the Pediatric Clinic of Sunnyvale, where he garnered a passion for working with a younger patient population. He hopes to inspire kids every day and aid adults maneuver the challenges of parenting. When not at the office, Alejandro enjoys live music events, exploring new places, and catching up on unseen movies.
Aylin Delgado, PA-C
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Aylin was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2022. While there, she worked as a nursing attendant at a Level I emergency center to gain clinical experience. She received her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Southwestern School of Health Professions, graduating in December 2025. She is passionate about pediatrics and values the opportunity to build long-term relationships with her patients and their families while supporting children as they grow and develop. Her clinical interests include newborn care, adolescent health, and preventative care. Aylin enjoys connecting with families from diverse backgrounds and learning from different cultures. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, practicing her crochet skills, and baking.