Credentialed Dental Providers
Dr. Heather Gabler was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. This is where she spent most of her childhood before moving to Milwaukee, WI to attend college. Her undergraduate studies consisted of a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from Marquette University. Upon graduating, she turned her focus toward the dental field – achieving her doctorate of dental medicine from Temple University School of Dentistry. Her residency was completed at Lutheran Medical Center in Princess Anne, MD.
Dr. Gabler moved to Jacksonville in 2014 and has enjoyed being able to fulfill her passion for working as a board-certified pediatric dentist. She enjoys the opportunity to get children interested in dentistry through fun and engaging experiences and inspire them to take good care of their smiles.
Outside of the office, Dr. Gabler can be found relaxing at the beach, cruising on a bike, or hitting the tennis court. Most of all, she enjoys spending time with her family; this includes her husband, Dr. Bryce Gabler, and their two children – Kelsey and Colin.
Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dr. Stephanie Acevedo moved to South Florida with her family when she was just nine years old. With several dentists in the family, she spent a lot of her childhood in dental offices, learning about oral health and taking an early interest in the profession. By the time she reached college age, Dr. Acevedo had chosen her field of study. Upon graduating from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in health science in 2007, she began her doctorate studies at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. During her time as a student, she volunteered at various local clinics in the area and served as president of the school’s Hispanic Dental Association. In 2011, Dr. Acevedo received her doctorate in dental medicine.
While initially focused on general dentistry, it wasn’t until later on that Dr. Acevedo narrowed her area of practice to pediatrics. It was evident that she was interested in the dental field early on, and she soon realized that working with children was also an area of passion. As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Acevedo enjoys creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for kids and providing them with the support they need to keep their smiles healthy.
In May 2011, Dr. Acevedo moved to the beautiful city of Jacksonville, FL, and now calls it home. She enjoys her time outside of work by reading a great book, making crafts, or taking a trip to Disney! Above all else, Dr. Acevedo loves spending time with her family; this includes her husband, their two daughters, and their dog, Bogey.
Dr. KenJula Brown is a well-respected professional in the field of pediatric dentistry. Born and raised in Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Brown’s early life was marked by a strong connection to her home state. Her academic journey began at Florida State University, where she completed her undergraduate studies with distinction. Upon graduation, Dr. Brown relocated to Ohio to continue her academic pursuits at The Ohio State University. There, she achieved her Master’s of Public Health and Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree.
Dr. Brown was a highly decorated student during her college career, earning the Model Professional Scholarship, the AcademyHealth/Aetna Foundation Diversity Scholarship, and the Harold E. McDaniel Scholarship. These recognitions illustrated her dedication to her studies and the potential for her future career. She holds esteemed affiliations with the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry.
A question she’s often asked is what drew her to the combination of pediatric dentistry. To this, Dr. Brown always responds with her love for children’s honesty and sincerity, drawing a charming parallel to the popular show, “Kids Say the Darndest Things!”
Outside of work, Dr. Brown leads a vibrant personal life. She shares her home with a beloved chocolate lab named Renegade. Her loyalty extends to her alma mater’s football team, the Florida State Seminoles. In her free time, Dr. Brown enjoys traveling, cooking for friends and family, attending Florida State football games, exploring food festivals, participating in church activities, and of course, spending quality time with Renegade.
With her profound passion for pediatric dentistry and an unfailing commitment to her community, Dr. KenJula Brown continues to make a significant impact in her field and inspire those around her with her enthusiasm and dedication.
Dr. Robert Weaver is originally from Orange Park, Florida, where he attended St. Johns Country Day School from kindergarten through 12th grade. He then graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He continued his education at the University of Florida College of Dentistry where he earned his DMD. He completed his two-year pediatric dental residency at the University of Florida, where he served as Chief Resident in his final year. Dr. Weaver is board certified in pediatric dentistry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Outside of the office, Dr. Weaver, his wife, and his two sons now call the Julington Creek area home. In his spare time, he enjoys running with his dogs, fishing, playing basketball and golf, and watching Florida Gator football and basketball.
Dr. Patrick Weaver was born and raised in Orange Park, Florida, and graduated from St. Johns Country Day School. He graduated from Samford University as salutatorian with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He continued to the University of Florida, where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD). While in dental school, he was presented with the senior dental student award from the Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and was inducted into the honor society of Omicron Kappa Upsilon. He then completed a two-year residency at the University of Florida, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Weaver is board certified in pediatric dentistry as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He is also affiliated with the Jacksonville Cleft and Craniofacial Clinic.
Outside of the office, Dr. Weaver, his wife, and their two children now call St. Johns County their home. He is a big Florida Gator fan and enjoys playing golf, running, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Megan Phillip was born and raised in the beautiful Twin Islands of Trinidad and Tobago. She graduated in the top 3 of her dental school class of 2015. Dr. Phillip then moved on to Howard University in Washington, DC, where she completed her pediatric residency and was awarded for obtaining the highest academic score in her class. She then received the Richard C. Pugh Achievement Award from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry for scoring in the top 3% in the Pediatric Dental Board examination in 2021. She credits her dad for suggesting pediatric dentistry as a career choice and recounts growing up always looking forward to her dental visits. Now, Dr. Phillip feels compelled to create that same experience for her patients.
Outside of the office, Dr. Phillip’s favorite things to do are baking, working out, and hanging with her Goldendoodle, Riley. She’s a self-proclaimed bookworm and feels like the best place to read is always at the beach!
Dr. Dena Mizrahi was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Hebrew. Dr. Dena received her DMD from the University of Florida College of Dentistry and her certificate in pediatric dentistry from Montefiore Medical Center in New York.
Throughout dental school, Dr. Dena stayed active with several leadership positions, receiving many awards including the Dean’s List, Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society, the Clinical Excellence and Professionalism Award, and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Professional Recognition Award. In 2015, she was awarded the James R. Roche Award of Excellence for attaining the highest score on the Qualifying Examination for the year.
Outside of the office, some of Dr. Dena’s favorite things to do are baking, cooking, drawing and spending time with her husband, Michael, and family. A fun fact about Dr. Dena is that she has a diploma in Pastry and Baking Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC! She lived in NYC for almost 10 years, and is very excited to be home in Florida!
Dr. Paul was born in Los Angeles, CA, grew up in Charlottesville, VA, attended James Madison University, and then moved to Charleston, SC. After college, his first job was working as a graduate assistant basketball coach at The Citadel, where he completed a master’s degree in business administration. He also completed a master’s in healthcare administration from The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) at the same time.
He attended MUSC for dental school and earned his DMD. After dental school, he focused his education on pediatric dentistry by completing a Pediatric Fellowship at THE Ohio State University and then further completing his Pediatric Residency at the University of Minnesota. During his last year at Minnesota, he was selected to be chief resident.
These days you will find him running around the office like an oversized kid, telling corny jokes, purposefully confusing Disney stories, or rolling around on his skate shoes. His personal philosophy is to develop a relationship that leads to patients establishing a dental home so that each visit can be fun, educational, and prevention-focused.
Dr. Paul’s wife, Erika, is the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at the University of North Florida. They have two daughters, Ava & Mya. He enjoys basketball, skiing/snowboarding, swimming, biking, and traveling.
Dr. Kelley Downs is from Toledo, Ohio, and is excited to trade the snow and cold for sunshine and sand. As a child, Dr. Kelley was always anxious about going to the dentist. In college, she worked as a dental assistant and nanny for a sweet family. After realizing that she loved both dentistry and nurturing children, Dr. Kelley decided to combine her passions to positively influence kids’ lives and the experiences they have at the dentist.
Dr. Kelley was on the Dean’s List and graduated summa cum laude from Lourdes University, in Sylvania, Ohio, with a bachelor of science in nursing. She continued on to attend the Ohio State University, where she graduated in the top 10 of her class, was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon, and graduated summa cum laude earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree. Following dental school, Dr. Kelley completed a two-year pediatric dental residency at the University of Florida.
In her free time, Dr. Kelley enjoys outdoor adventures, being on the water, paddle boarding, traveling, crafting, home diy projects, reading and spending time with her husband, a physical therapist, and their two dogs!
Dr. Maria Fraser graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in 1995. Dr. Fraser completed a two-year residency in pediatric dentistry in 1999. She is originally from St. Augustine. She attended Cathedral Parish School and graduated from St. Joseph Academy with honors. Dr. Fraser and her husband, Bob, have two sons.
Dr. Amber Sun’s work philosophy is “give patients my heart, lift spirits, and improve smiles from the start.” Dr. Sun received her Bachelor of Science in psychology at Kennesaw State University and Doctor of Dental Surgery from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, where she was awarded the prestigious OSU Dean’s Scholarship. Early in her dental career, Dr. Sun discovered her interest in child psychology, passion toward community services, and determination to end childhood tooth decay. Dr. Sun completed two years of additional training and received her certification in pediatric dentistry from Case Western Reserve University in conjunction with Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. A myriad of factors led Dr. Sun to the path of becoming a pediatric dentist and providing smiles to young children and teenagers.
Dr. Sun and her husband have two daughters. In her spare time, Dr. Sun enjoys playing the ukulele, practicing power yoga, and cuddling with her Frenchie. On sunny days, she loves riding her Harley to work.
Dr. Nicole Staman is a Jacksonville native who graduated from the Bolles School in 1999. She received her DMD from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in 2009 and completed her pediatric residency at Louisiana State University (New Orleans) in 2011.
She is board-certified in pediatric dentistry and is a diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She is active with multiple local, state, and national dental organizations.
Her goal is to provide each child with a fun dental experience while in a caring environment!
Dr. Staman is married to her high school sweetheart who is a local physician and Jacksonville native. They have three young children who keep them busy in their free time. In addition to spending time with her friends and family, Dr. Staman enjoys running, working out, and taking advantage of the Florida weather at the pool and beach.
Diplomat — The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Active member — Multiple local, state, and national dental organizations
Board-Certified in Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Jackie Fetner is a native Floridian, born and raised in Sarasota. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!). Dr. Jackie attended dental school at the University of Florida, where she graduated first in her class. She practiced as a general dentist for several years only to discover her true passion for treating children. Dr. Jackie commuted from Jacksonville to Gainesville for two years to achieve her goal to become a pediatric dentist.
Dr. Jackie and her husband Alex, a local periodontist, have three young children. When she’s not counting teeth, Dr. Jackie can be found spending time with her family, running, and fixing up her historic home in Avondale. She is excited to take care of the First Coast’s littlest and brightest smiles.
Dr. Nicole Staman is a Jacksonville native who graduated from the Bolles School in 1999. She received her DMD from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in 2009 and completed her pediatric residency at Louisiana State University (New Orleans) in 2011.
She is board-certified in pediatric dentistry and is a diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She is active with multiple local, state, and national dental organizations.
Her goal is to provide each child with a fun dental experience while in a caring environment!
Dr. Staman is married to her high school sweetheart who is a local physician and Jacksonville native. They have three young children who keep them busy in their free time. In addition to spending time with her friends and family, Dr. Staman enjoys running, working out, and taking advantage of the Florida weather at the pool and beach.
Diplomat — The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Active member — Multiple local, state, and national dental organizations
Board-Certified in Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Ehsan Zariffard cares for patients in the Blanding, Blanding South, Normandy and Northside Orange Park offices.
Dr. Kuhl is a board-certified pediatric dentist who has been practicing in the Jacksonville and Fleming Island areas since 2013. Dr. Kuhl was born and raised in Florence, Kentucky. He graduated magna cum laude from Eastern Kentucky University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry and was the commencement speaker for his graduating class. He was a four-year starter as the punter and kicker for the Eastern Kentucky University football team and was voted team captain during his junior and senior seasons. Dr. Kuhl obtained his DMD from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, and he completed his pediatric dental residency and specialty training at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Kuhl is a member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the Northeast Florida District Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Kuhl loves spending as much time as possible with his wife and two daughters. His hobbies include watching sports and movies, working out, and reading.
Dr. D’Andra Williams-Ruiz was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. She moved to the United States in 2010 where she attended Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Dr. Williams-Ruiz earned her Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Health Science and graduated as the top student in her major. During her time at Stetson, she had the privilege of spending a summer with her brother, an oral surgeon. This sparked her desire to pursue a career in the dental field.
Dr. Williams-Ruiz went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, where she was selected as the World Scholar for her class year. After graduation, she journeyed to New York City where she completed a two-year General Practice Residency as Chief Resident at Bronx Lebanon Hospital. She graduated with the Community Service Award for her selfless acts of service to the pediatric community in the Bronx and for volunteering at the departments of Internal Medicine and Family Medicine during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. After this, she journeyed even further north to complete her Pediatric Dental Residency at the University of Rochester/Strong Memorial Hospital. This is where Dr. Williams-Ruiz got extensive training in hospital dentistry and discovered her love for dental surgery in the operating room.
It was during her pediatric residency that Dr. Williams-Ruiz met her husband, Abraham, and her fur baby, Abby. They then moved back south to Jacksonville, FL, because the island girl in her just had to get away from the snow! When Dr. Williams-Ruiz isn’t busy fighting sugar bugs, she and her family can be found taking strolls on the beach or testing out restaurants in the area. Dr. Williams-Ruiz prides herself on the connection she forms with her patients and strives to provide the best holistic care to them that best suits their individual needs.
Dr. Bradley Cherry, a native of Williamsburg, Virginia, obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the Medical College of Virginia and went on to graduate as a Doctor of Medicine, with honors, from the University of Florida. Dr. Cherry completed his general surgery internship, anesthesiology training and oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at the University of Florida, in Gainesville.
Dr. Cherry maintains his certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
Dr. Cherry is a board-certified 0ral and maxillofacial surgeon who has an active Florida medical license and maintains hospital privileges at Baptist Medical Centers (South and Beaches) and at Wolfson Children’s Hospital where he serves as a surgeon on the Cleft Lip and Palate Team. Brad enjoys traveling, running, and basketball. He and his wife, Joanne, have two sons.
Dr. Loveena Rastogi earned her Bachelor of Science from Agra College in India and her dental degree from the College of Dental Medicine at Columbia University. She received advanced training in pediatric dentistry at the University of Southern California.
Dr. Rastogi has earned her PALS certification, BLS certification, and certificate of excellence in oral pathology. She is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and participated in Give Kids A Smile. She has also volunteered for the Red Cross Society.
Dr. Rastogi pursued a career in dentistry because she had a wonderful and pain-free extraction as a child and remembers wanting to be just like her dentist after that experience. She also had a family member who needed prosthetic teeth, due to trauma, and she saw how the prosthesis brought back their self-confidence. She saw firsthand how dental treatment could change lives, instill confidence in people, relieve pain, and help improve their self-esteem. Dr. Rastogi decided she wanted to be that person and it motivated her to become a dentist. She feels one can do anything if they put their heart and soul into it. She restarted her life when she moved from India and she was able to pursue her dreams, despite the ups and downs she faced. She believes her resiliency, adaptability, and ability to stay focused helped her along the way.
Dr. Rastogi feels that dentistry is both an art and science, two things that she loves deeply. She feels she is an empathetic person and dentistry gives her the opportunity to connect with people. As a pediatric dentist, she helps develop confidence in a frightened child and helps both the child and the parent feel at ease. Dr. Rastogi is so happy to be able to bring smiles to the faces of the children she gets the opportunity to work with. Other than restorative dentistry, one of her specialties includes her experience in working under different levels of sedation. She also has experience in performing hospital dentistry and behavioral management in infants, toddlers, and children with special needs.
Outside of work, Dr. Rastogi loves to hike, go for long walks, travel, paint nature on cavasses, cook, do arts and crafts, and spend time with her family. She also has a passion to serve the underprivileged. She looks forward to serving on a mission trip in the future. Dr. Rastogi also speaks Hindi, Urdu, and basic-level Spanish.
Dr. Thomas Farrell grew up in San Diego, California. After graduating college at San Diego State University, Dr. Farrell traveled across the country to receive his dentistry degree from the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Dr. Farrell received his oral and maxillofacial surgery training first at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth (OMS Internship), Texas, followed by Augusta University/Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia.
Upon receiving his specialty certificate, Dr. Farrell moved to Jacksonville with his wife and joined North Florida Oral and Facial Surgery, where he primarily works out of the Southpoint location. Dr. Farrell is a diplomat of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and in 2023 presented a lecture to the Jacksonville Dental Society on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws.
Outside of the office, Dr. Farrell enjoys surfing, watching sporting events, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and golden retriever.
Dr. Tyler Wahl is a Florida native, raised in Jacksonville and Gainesville. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, Dr. Wahl attended the University of Florida for his undergraduate studies where he graduated cum laude with a degree in microbiology and cell science.
He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Florida College of Dentistry, where he graduated magna cum laude. He was inducted into the prestigious Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honors Society and received the Psi Omega Scholastic Achievement Award, both of which highlight his scholarship and character.
During his six-year residency training in oral & maxillofacial surgery, Dr. Wahl obtained his medical degree at the University of Florida College of Medicine and completed an internship in general surgery at UF Health Shands Hospital.
Dr. Wahl is passionate about all aspects of oral & maxillofacial surgery, including complex dentoalveolar surgery, IV sedation, dental implants, bone grafting, and benign pathology.
In his free time, Dr. Wahl enjoys spending time with his wife, who is an orthodontist in the Jacksonville area. Dr. Wahl loves surfing, weight training, cooking, and the Florida Gators.
Dr. Gary Myers completed his residency program in pediatric dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2001. As a native of Orange Park and graduate of Orange Park High School, he returned to Jacksonville to work with his father, Donnie Myers, DDS, in his Orange Park practice. Dr. Gary graduated from the University of Florida Dental School after earning a degree in biochemistry from Furman University. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the former President of the Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (FAPD).
Dr. Gary lives in Middleburg, FL with his wife, Julie, and their 5 children. He and his family are active members at First Baptist Church in downtown Jacksonville. His weekly podcast list includes The Briefing with Al Mohler, Marked by Grace with Heath Lambert, the Tom Woods Liberty Education Podcast, and the Ron Paul Liberty Report. With his minimal free time, Dr. Gary enjoys running while thinking back to his glory days as a Division 1 collegiate runner and sponsored athlete with 1st Place Sports in Jacksonville.
A referral is required from your dentist or physician.
