Meet our Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners
We invite you to get to know our physician assistants and advanced practice providers before coming in for your first appointment with us.
Meredith McCann, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
A certified physician assistant (PA-C), Meredith McCann joined Advanced Orthopedic Center in 2013. Meredith was a student athlete at the University of North Carolina – Wilmington, as well as at Florida Gulf Coast University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's of arts in biology. She then studied abroad in Belize while playing professional indoor volleyball as well as coaching the men’s and women’s volleyball teams at the University of Belize.
Meredith graduated from the physician assistant program at Nova Southeastern University of Southwest Florida in 2012. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants.
MaryAnna Piekarski, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
A certified physician assistant (PA-C), MaryAnna Piekarski joined Advanced Orthopedic Center in 2013. MaryAnna completed her undergraduate degree in biotechnology at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers before earning her master of clinical medical sciences as a physician assistant at Nova Southeastern University. MaryAnna is a member of the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants and speaks fluent Polish.
Lydmila Melnik, ARNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner
Lydmila (Luda) is a certified nurse practitioner who joined Advanced Orthopedic Center in 2016. Luda completed her master of science in nursing at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri, and her bachelor of science in nursing at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.
While completing her master’s degree, Luda was an RN working as a circulating nurse in the OR at Fawcett Memorial Hospital for over 10 years. She has excellent communication skills in Russian and Ukrainian languages. She is dedicated to providing excellent quality care to her patients.
Amanda Pumilia, ARNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner
Amanda is a certified nurse practitioner who joined Advanced Orthopedic Center in September of 2019. She completed her master of science degree as a nurse practitioner at the University of Illinois at Chicago and obtained her undergraduate degree in nursing through the University of Phoenix. She worked as both an RN specializing in pediatric orthopedics and as a nurse practitioner specializing in orthopedics, particularly in the area of adult hip and knee reconstructive surgery.
Kaitlin Georgiafandis, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Kaitlin Georgiafandis joined Advanced Orthopedic Center in late August 2022. She hails from Illinois, where she was working in Orthopedics for several years. She graduated from Carroll University with a Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies under their Capstone Master’s Thesis & Cultural Competency Curriculum. She has been a member of the NCCPA since 2013. We are happy to have her extensive orthopedic experience on our team.
Grace Tice, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Grace is a certified physician assistant who joined our team in October 2022. Grace attended Penn State University where she received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology. During her time at Penn State, Grace was the head coach of the local YMCA gymnastics program, where she attended as a child. She continued her education at Nova Southeastern University where she received her Master of Health Science in physician assistant studies. She is certified through the NCCPA and is affiliated with AAPA and FAPA.
Alexxis Reid, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Alexxis is a certified physician assistant that moved to Florida and joined our team in June 2024. She graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2022, where she completed a Dual Degree program earning a master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies and Public Health. She has been a member of the NCCPA since January of 2023. We are excited to have her on our team.
Mitchell Snell, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Mitchell is a certified physician assistant who joined AOC in September 2024. Mitchell has experience in orthopedics from his time at Orthopedic Physician Associates in New Hampshire. He graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine in 2022 and brings his knowledge to Southwest Florida. His has been a member of the NCCPA since 2022 and we are happy for him to be part of the AOC team. Mitchell sees patients mostly in our Venice location, with Dr. Ng
Lara Goulding, ARNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner
Lara grew up in Charlotte County and started her educational journey at Florida Southwestern State College in Punta Gorda, where she received her bachelor’s of science in nursing. She continued her studies at the University of Saint Augustine, where she earned her master’s of science in nursing. Lara had previously worked at Advanced Orthopedic Center while in high school and re-joined AOC in October of 2024 as a certified nurse practitioner. We are excited to have her back at AOC and back in the community.
Thanna Oddo, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Thanna comes all the way from Pennsylvania and began her studies at West Liberty University in West Virgina, completing her bachelor’s of science in exercise physiology. She continued her studies at Marietta College where she earned her master’s of science in physician assistant studies. She most recently worked at an orthopedic clinic in Lee County before joining Advanced Orthopedic Center in February of 2025. We are thrilled to have her extensive orthopedic knowledge here in Charlotte County.
Lisa Guttman, ARNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner
Lisa joined AOC early in 2025 after passing her Nursing Boards. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with her BSN and has been a Registered Nurse for 12 years in Charlotte and Sarasota counties. Lisa joins our Interventional Spine team working closely with Dr. James and Dr. Zusman. We are happy to have Lisa helping the patients in our community.
Top Orthopedic Providers in Punta Gorda, Venice, & Port Charlotte, FL
Trust the orthopedic physician assistants and supportive orthopedic providers at Advanced Orthopedic Center to provide you with personalized, compassionate care. Call our offices in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, Florida, today at (941) 629-6262 or for our Venice office, (941) 497-1771 to schedule an appointment.
