Our Team
The best and brightest
Kinnari Desai, MD, FACOG, MPH
Marion Pandiscio, MD, FACOG
Lee Biggs, DO, FACOG, MPH
Joyce Kepto
CNM, APRN
Sammie Billman
DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Kaleigh Braden
DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Felicia Montanez
MSN, APRN
Kylie Ameres
PA-C
Kinnari P. Desai MD, FACOG, MPH joined Manatee Gynecology in 2011. She finished her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Parkland Hospital-University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Parkland Hospital is the largest OB/GYN training program in the nation and delivers more than 12,000 babies a year. The program is recognized for authoring three major OB/GYN textbooks used to train obstetrician/gynecologists, worldwide—Williams Obstetrics, Williams Gynecology, and Essential Reproductive Medicine.
After finishing her residency, she completed a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where she further enhanced her skills in Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery.
While doing her fellowship, she also obtained her Master’s Degree in Public Health at the University of North Carolina, Gillings School of Public Health, which is ranked among the top three public health schools in the nation. Her focus was complex female pain disorders such as chronic pelvic and intercourse related pain.
Prior to moving back home to Florida, she spent two years as an Assistant Professor at the State University of New York- Stony Brook Medical Center, teaching medical students and residents. While living in New York City, Dr. Desai worked with the William F. Ryan Community Health Network, helping to provide comprehensive gynecological care to underserved communities.
Dr. Desai’s special interests include advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery, chronic pain disorders including pain with intercourse, and minimally invasive treatments for abnormal bleeding, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. In addition, she is trained on non-surgical facial aesthetics to continue helping women of any age to always feel beautiful.
She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists, and the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Dr. Desai is fluent in English, Spanish, and Gujarati.
Marion M. Pandiscio, MD, FACOG joined Manatee Gynecology in 1996. She is from Massachusetts and attended Brown University, where she earned her undergraduate and medical degrees. After completing her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence, RI, she served in the U.S. Air Force. She came to Bradenton in 1996.
Dr. Pandiscio is board certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology. She has a special interest in menopause medicine and is a member of the North American Menopause Society, as well as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
He brings 20 years of experience in minimally invasive surgery, urogynecology, infertility, wellness, aesthetics, and healthcare leadership.
He holds professional certifications with the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology (FACOG) and the American College of Physician Executives (CPE).
He attained his undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University, a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from George Washington University and his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
He served in the U.S. Navy, completing his internship and residency training at Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA. He had assignments at sea in addition to tours in Italy, Virginia, South Carolina, Afghanistan, Guam, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC. He retired at the rank of Captain in 2017.
He worked for HCA Healthcare as a physician executive and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for six years. Most recently having been the CMO for Blake Hospital in Bradenton, FL. He grew up in Asheville, North Carolina and is married to Marie Holland Biggs and they have a son and daughter.
Joyce received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee and a Master’s of Science in Women and Infant Health from Georgetown University, with a certification as a nurse midwife.
During the first part of her career, she worked in Pinellas County delivering hundreds of babies in hospital based birthing centers as part of OB/GYN practices, later she concentrated on gynecology patients in the office setting. Her employing physician retired unexpectedly, and Joyce was able to purchase the practice and work as a solo practitioner/ business owner with the established office staff for 6 years under the supervision of a Gynecology Oncologist. He was a wonderful resource and mentor in learning to identify and treat gynecological abnormalities. Joyce sold the practice to a urogynecology group and worked with that practice for another 6 years, becoming acquainted with bladder and incontinence concerns and treatment. In 2019, she moved to Manatee County and commuted over the bridge for several months before finding the wonderful opportunity to practice with the diverse team of professional women at Manatee Gynecology.
Joyce came to the Tampa Bay area 37 years ago for her internship. She has spent her career here as a women’s health care provider and as a wife and mother, taking every opportunity to experience the beautiful weather and all the recreational options Manatee County has to offer.
As a passionate advocate for women's health, Sammie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as a Nurse Practitioner in the heart of Manatee County. Her journey in healthcare began with a solid foundation in nursing, having earned her bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida and honing her skills in the demanding, fast-paced environment of the ICU.
Driven by a deep-seated desire to expand her impact and empower her patients, Sammie pursued advanced education, earning her doctorate from Florida State University. Armed with this comprehensive knowledge and a commitment to excellence, she now specializes in women's health, offering compassionate care and innovative solutions to women across the lifespan.
With a focus on preventive medicine and holistic wellness, Sammie goes beyond traditional healthcare practices, striving to address underlying issues and empower her patients to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Her dedication to physical health and weight loss, coupled with a passion for procedural excellence, ensures that each patient receives personalized, comprehensive care tailored to their unique needs.
With a blend of clinical expertise, compassionate care, and a genuine commitment to her community, Sammie continues to make a profound impact on the lives of women and families.
Sammie was born and raised in Manatee County and wouldn’t want to live and work anywhere else. She is married with a dog and just had her first baby girl, Savannah. Sammie loves boating, going to the beach, and spending time outdoors. She played collegiate Division 1 soccer and has a special interest in health, nutrition, fitness, and weight loss outside of gynecology.
Professional Affiliations
American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH)
American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
Sarasota County Nurse Practitioner ENP Network
National Menopause Society
Kaleigh Braden comes to Manatee Gynecology with schooling at Florida State University where she earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice, and St. Petersburg College where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Kaleigh began working in the medical industry in 2009 and became a nurse in 2013. She spent her nursing career working as a cardiac nurse in an outpatient cardiology practice and has clinical experience in Women's Health, Urology, and Family Practice. She has found joy working at Manatee Gynecology and strives to care for women across their lifespan. Her special interest is in the science of urogynecology.
Kaleigh is a Florida native and enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. You can find her boating, fishing, and playing soccer in her free time.
Professional Affiliations
American Nurses Association
Florida Nurses Association
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
Sarasota County Nurse Practitioner ENP Network
Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health
Felicia Montanez was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She resided in Syracuse, NY, for 29 years and recently moved to Florida in 2019. She graduated from the State University of New York, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She then continued her education and graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Family Medicine.
Felicia is passionate about women’s health and has worked for over 20 years in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is also fluent in both English and Spanish. More than anything, Felicia loves spending time with her family.
She has three adult children, five grandchildren, and one grandchild on the way. Felicia enjoys many outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and traveling. She also has a great love for music. She would like to participate in community outreach projects and volunteer for various non-profit organizations.
As a dedicated Women's Health Physician Assistant, I merge my passion for healthcare with a deep understanding of women's wellness. My journey into the medical field was shaped by my academic pursuits, having studied Exercise Science at Gardner-Webb University. This educational foundation not only honed my understanding of human physiology but also instilled in me a holistic approach to healthcare. During my time as a Division 1 college soccer player, I developed invaluable skills in teamwork, leadership, and resilience—qualities that seamlessly transitioned into my professional life. Today, I leverage these skills to provide comprehensive care to my patients, empowering them to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. I have lived in Manatee County my whole life and I always knew I wanted to live and work here and give back to my community.
My commitment to preventive medicine drives me to advocate for proactive healthcare measures, emphasizing the importance of contraception and pelvic floor health. Through patient education and personalized care plans, I strive to equip individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions about their well-being.
Beyond the clinic, I find joy in boating adventures with my big Greek family! As someone who values strong familial bonds, I cherish the moments spent together, creating lifelong memories. I can still also be found on the soccer field coaching youth teams!
With a blend of clinical expertise, athletic tenacity, and a compassionate approach to care, I am dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of my patients and community.
