Meet the Orlando Lactation Team
Admin Team
Tracy Housley
Office Manager
Tracy has a career background in office administration driven by an oddly natural need to plan and organize. In 2020 she realized her true calling for empowering women in pregnancy and childbirth and joined an in-depth mentorship to become a Certified Birth Doula. In addition to providing childbirth education and attending births, Tracy is also a Certified Postpartum Doula and Placenta Encapsulation Specialist. Her own struggles with postpartum mood disorders feed her passion for helping other women find help and care they need.
Tracy is a mom of two as well as a caregiver and advocate for her nephew. She loves music, yoga, spending time with her family, connecting with friends, and helping out in her community. In her spare time you can find her in the kitchen cooking, baking, and preparing natural medicine like her homemade elderberry syrup.
“Being part of the Orlando Lactation team allows me to merge my administrative skills with my birth work by supporting women in the community in multiple ways. Every family deserves a village!”
Kaitlynn Sorondo
Social Media
Kaitlynn is a recent graduate from the University of North Florida with a degree in Communication and concentration in multimedia journalism. Her passions include writing and interpersonal communication which she one day hopes to combine to work as a feature writer. While she currently resides in Jacksonville, she is from the Orlando area and is excited to help families in her hometown!
Baby Sleep Consultant
Bernadette Ranieri - Baby Sleep Consultant
Bernie is a native Western Australian, now married to a Floridian and living in Florida since 2022. Her career with babies started in a baby shoe store, but then quickly developed through being an au pair (in Florida in 2019), a nanny and now a baby sleep consultant (2022). Her passion is to help mums through helping babies and provide the way for everyone to sleep through the night. By understanding the science behind sleep, she is able to see results within 2 weeks of working with babies and toddlers and give parents the tools for continued success with sleep! Bernie is qualified with Baby Sleep Consultant NZ, the only registered baby sleep consultant training provider taught by a group of experts.
Bernie supports gentle parents and routine-oriented parents with all parenting styles and philosophies. “Sleep is a biological need” says Bernie, and she will guarantee you amazing results with realistic expectations.
Nursing Team
Jamie Kesselring, RN, CBC
Jamie has been a Mother/Baby nurse for fifteen years, thirteen of those specializing in newborn care. She holds a Biology degree from UCF, as well as a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor certification.
Jaime is a true Floridian, born and raised! She has two daughters that keep her on the move, the oldest who is a Junior pre-med student at UCF and the youngest is in 8th grade. Her free time is spent playing with her three German Shepherds, two cats and her daughter’s corn snake. Jamie also enjoys fishing and canoeing, plants/gardening and reading. And she loves going to the local theme parks with her family.
Emily LaMontagne, RN, BSN
Emily graduated with her nursing degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and started her career as an RN in Labor and Delivery. She found passion in the nursing field when she was seven years old after helping her mother’s postpartum nurse give her baby brother his first bath. Ever since then, Emily has been in love with the newborn world. Her favorite part of being a labor and delivery nurse is getting to help families throughout their toughest but most rewarding journey. Emily has found passion in newborn delivery and aspires to start midwifery school in 2025. Before nursing, Emily worked as a survival swim instructor for babies from six months to two years old. Outside of nursing, Emily loves spending time with her family, reading, traveling with her boyfriend to watch him race in triathlons, and playing with her one-year-old goldendoodle, Sugar.
Joann has two grown children and five grandchildren, and although she breastfed her own babies back in the 80s, she felt like her personal experience alone was not enough to provide the breastfeeding education that NICU moms need. This is why she decided to become a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor in 2017 - to be a better resource to help them on their journey to successful breastfeeding.
“Being a NICU nurse is very rewarding as we play a huge part in getting these babies to their milestones so they can graduate from the NICU and go home with their families.”
Sharon Rodriguez, RN
Sharon Rodriguez obtained her Nursing degree in 1985 from Florida Keys Community College. After a few years of working on medical/surgical hospital floors with occasional shifts on the Mother Baby floor, she decided that Maternal Child Health was the right place for her. After 25 years of bedside experience in Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, Nursery and Pediatrics, Sharon realized that her true passion is teaching and encouraging parents of newborns and infants, with the goal of parents not only being able to care for their infant, but feeling rested, confident and supported while doing so.
Sharon served as the Nurse for the Early Head Start program (pregnant women, infants and babies) in Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties. She was also the Medical Foster Care Nurse in Volusia, Flagler and Putnam counties, instructing and overseeing the care of foster care children with medical needs.
When not working, Sharon is busy spending time with her husband and their 4 grown children and their families, including 14 grandkids.
Shelby Tirado, LPN
Shelby has been a licensed practical nurse since 2011, mostly in surgical specialties. Before becoming a nurse and throughout her career she has always made time to work privately with families, helping with their newborn to toddler age children. Since she was a young girl, Shelby has absolutely loved babies and children. She remembers spending many of her summer vacations at the home of her aunt helping to care for her little cousins.
Shelby found great purpose in night nursing for newborns when her own sister became a mother and she had the special opportunity to help her tackle an exciting and terrifying new world: newborn baby world. It was during this special and invaluable time spent with her sister and nephew where she knew night nursing was something she would happily do again for others.
“Thankfully, I found the perfect match in Orlando Lactation, this company has given me the opportunity to do work that I feel proud of and enjoy. I hope I have the honor of meeting you and your family and helping in any way I can during this most special time in your lives!”
Iris Lalli, RN, BSN
Iris has been a registered nurse since 2009. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2007 and with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida in 2009. She spent a couple years working in stroke, progressive care and clinical decision units, but she knew ever since nursing school she wanted to work in maternal newborn nursing. Iris has been passionate about all things related to pregnancy, birth and newborn care since she was a child. In 2021, she achieved her long-awaited dream of becoming a mother baby nurse! She loves teaching parents about newborn care and helping them feel supported in their transition to parenthood. Iris also works as a first aid nurse at one of our local theme parks providing care to guests and employees. Iris and her husband have been married for 5 years and are happily settled in Central Florida. They enjoy traveling, cruising, escape rooms, theme parks and outdoor activities in their free time.
“I am eager to continue working with this unique patient population in a more personal setting, and I hope to make a positive impact on the families and infants I work with.”
Casey Maxwell, RN, BSN
Casey has been a Registered Nurse since 2011. After graduation, she began her nursing career on a Mother/Baby unit taking care of postpartum moms and newborns, and after three years she made the move to the NICU where she’s been ever since. She has a passion for taking care of babies and helping guide families through their NICU stays.
Prior to her career in nursing, Casey completed a Bachelors of Science in Family and Community Services, followed by a Masters in Human Relations. Feeling unsatisfied with her career at that point, she decided to return to school to pursue nursing and it turned out to be the best decision.
Casey and her husband recently celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary, and after his 25 year career in the Army they decided to settle in Florida. They live on a couple of acres with their two kids, three dogs, two cats and four chickens.
Amanda Leyva,
RN, BSN, CBC
Amanda had her first introduction to nursing at the age of seven as she helped care for her chronically ill grandmother. Learning about caregiving at such an early age combined with a nurse’s kindness helped her realize that nursing was her calling. In her practice, Amanda strives to emulate that nurse's qualities and skills.
Upon graduating with her BSN, Amanda became a NICU nurse. Her career in Neonatology led to her earning several additional certifications including Neonatal Touch & Massage, Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing Core Certification (RNC-NIC) as well as becoming a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC). This collective knowledge continues to equip her with strategies aimed at reducing neonatal stress and promoting mother-baby dyad health. Amanda is proficient in providing attentive and detailed care to newborns with ranging levels of acuity.
“I strive to educate caregivers on a wide range of topics including infant massage, breastfeeding techniques and optimal neurobehavioral development.”
Debbie Oliver, RN
Debbie began her extensive background in newborn and pediatric care as a nurse in 1991. She spent
over 20 years running the hospital newborn nursery where she happily cared for thousands of newborns over the years. Later in her career she became the official "skin to skin" nurse where she had the honor of facilitating the beautiful introduction between mother and baby in the operating room. Debbie also works in the PACU where she assesses and monitors newborns and helps new parents with their babies’ care and breastfeeding. Often her role extends to transition care nursing and floating to the NICU when needed.
Debbie is a mother to her two grown children and has been blessed with three beautiful grandbabies. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family or being at the beach where she feels most refreshed.
“Night nursing is a natural extension of what I love and do best, caring for newborns and families and helping them be as happy, healthy, and safe as possible.”
Leandra Greenhalgh, RN, BSN
Leandra entered the nursing field straight out of high school driven by her passion for wanting to help people. She has her specialty certification in low risk neonatal nursing and has spent over two decades in the hospital setting providing neonatal care. In 2019 Leandra obtained her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. From the delivery room to the NICU and all steps in-between, she has always loved caring for babies and helping new parents learn to care for their babies.
Leandra is a married mother of two and in her free time she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and getting lost in a good book.
Lisa Schilling,
DNP, CRNP, CLC, CPN
Central Florida has been home to Lisa for over 25 years. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Association and Society of Pediatric Nurses.
Lisa has a passion for teaching, both parents and students. She teaches pediatric and obstetrical nursing students along with women’s health for several local institutions including University of Florida, University of South Florida, University of Central Florida and Valencia College. Lisa also teaches NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation, STABLE classes which focus on post resuscitation and pre-transport of sick infants and serves as a preceptor and mentor for both nurses and nurse practitioners.
Lisa has the unique experience of a career in pediatrics along with being a proud cleft mom. Her child was born with bilateral cleft lip and palate. She pumped her breast milk for two years and utilized the supplemental bottle system to feed her infant.
When she is not teaching or helping babies and their parents Lisa can be found with her child living life to the fullest or reading a book. She has published a chapter on Women’s Health and is currently working on additional professional and personal publications. Lisa is most looking forward to helping parents and families have quality rest along with being a resource to help parents be as comfortable as possible with their newborns.
Kelly Bebee, RNC
Kelly has over 25 years of experience sharing her knowledge and love caring for newborns, premature babies and using her passion for teaching to help the families she meets. Her work experience includes 14 years in mother & baby/postpartum, newborn nursery, delivery room baby nurse, pediatrics and charge nurse in the newborn nursery. For the past 11 years she has worked in the level 2 and 3 NICU.
Kelly’s true passion and love is with the most fragile and vulnerable little ones in the NICU. Helping babies and teaching families is the most gratifying and rewarding experience of her career to date. Experience in the NICU includes the role of admission nurse/resource nurse, which involves admitting new babies and assisting other nurses by starting IVs, lab draws, troubleshooting equipment and communicating with nurse practitioners and physicians. In January 2022 Kelly was honored with The DAISY Award® For Extraordinary Nurses based on a NICU family’s nomination for her compassionate care.
Kelly was born and raised in Florida and has been married to her husband Bob for 31 years. Together they have four grown children and eight grandchildren. She enjoys the outdoors, the beach, boating, swimming, gardening and her flowers!
Marissa Valladarez,
RN, CBC
Marissa has been a nurse since 2007 and currently works in the NICU. She grew up thinking she would become a veterinarian, but when life presented her with other plans she discovered that nursing was her true passion and she’s never looked back. Her heart is complete when she is able to help a family with their precious child in the hospital.
Marissa is also a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor and a mother of two. She enjoys spending time with her two 2 doggies and dancing to Latin Cardio at the local YMCA on her days off.
“I have bonded with so many babies and families over the years and watching them grow makes my heart content.“
Mandy Crespo RN, BSN
Mandy is a Florida native, having moved here at the age of 3. She always wanted to be a "baby
nurse," and that dream came true when she graduated from UCF in 2004 with her Bachelor of Science
in Nursing. She soon started as a NICU nurse that same year and has continued with her life's
passion ever since. She always treats her patients in the NICU as if they were her own, and the highest
praise comes from a mother saying how comfortable and safe they feel leaving their baby in her care.
Her goal is to educate new moms to give them the tools they need to be the best possible mom to their
baby(ies). Motherhood truly takes a village, and she hopes to be able to contribute positively and help in any way possible as a small piece of that "village."
Mandy has two daughters who keep her and her husband busy in their love of dance and horse riding,
and she has recently joined them in horse riding lessons and enjoys it greatly. She also enjoys running,
gardening, and spending time with her four cats.
Keyleigh Cunningham, RN
Keyleigh has been a Labor & Delivery and Mother/Baby nurse since 2014. She obtained her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Husson University. She is originally from Maine, but moved to sunny Florida in 2016. Keyleigh has always had a passion for Women's Health and providing support to women during a new and exciting time in their lives. She is a Neonatal Resuscitation instructor and has taught Childbirth classes. Keyleigh and her husband have been married for 5 years; they share one daughter and have a little boy on the way.
“I love helping families bring new little ones into the world, and then being able to teach and help new families during the postpartum period. Everyone needs support during this time, and I am so happy I am able to be there for them!”
Claudia Bastidas, RN, BSN
Claudia officially began her nursing career in 2021 but has been working in the medical field since obtaining her BS in Biomedical Sciences in 2016. During her nursing program she realized her passion was in OB/newborn care. At the start of her nursing journey while working in an OB ER unit, Claudia was expecting the birth of her own child who came prematurely and spent a month in the NICU. After this experience Claudia transferred to the NICU - she loves caring for these tiny babies and supporting parents who are going through a similar journey. Claudia is married and a mother to her son who is now in his toddler years. In her free time she loves the outdoors, traveling, spending time with her family and taking her little one to fun activities.
Sarah Gartland, RN, CBC
Sarah’s love for tiny babies started at the young age of 14 when she began nannying for a mom with a two year old on bed rest pregnant with triplets! After four years watching the once preemie triplets grow into beautiful healthy girls, she knew she wanted to help other tiny babies and sought out to become a NICU nurse! A Duquesne university graduate and Pennsylvania native, Sarah has now been in Orlando for 9 years as a mother/baby and NICU nurse – and now raising two young girls of her own! She exclusively breastfed and pumped for her own girls, which grew her passion for helping other moms with goals of breastfeeding – and thus prompted her to earn her Certified Breastfeeding Counselor certification. She also knows the importance of getting help when it’s needed – Sarah found Orlando Lactation when she herself was a mom with a colicky baby and breastfeeding struggles. With Kristen’s help she was able to successfully continue breastfeeding and get more than an hour or two of sleep at night. Now Sarah is happy to be part of the nursing team here helping other moms get the rest and support they need!
Carmen Soner-Rice,
RN, LMT, BSHA
Carmen was born and raised until her teen years on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. She is fluent in Spanish, English and has a conversational understanding of Portuguese. In 2002 she started her career in infant care when she decided to get her Child Development Associate and open her at-home daycare. At the time, Carmen had a precious newborn which she wanted to stay at home with. She aimed to help other parents needing trustworthy and loving newborn care. After relocating to Florida, Carmen’s caring nature and desire to assist in the healing process motivated her to become a Licensed Massage Therapist. Carmen has advanced certifications in many medical and holistic massage modalities. She became very passionate about helping her patients reach their highest wellness potential.
Carmen started a lymphatic, prenatal/postpartum massage practice in 2005 and has been helping moms for almost two decades. In 2020 Carmen became a Registered Nurse in Labor and Delivery with cross-training in Advanced Neonatal Care. She enjoys caring for every little one that comes her way while providing parents with the educational and emotional support they need at such an important time. Carmen has two precious children; she enjoys baking and decorating professional cakes, gospel music, listening to motivational messages, cooking Hispanic food, and having a good meal with great company.
Melanie Williams, RN
Melanie has been a nurse since 2009, graduating with her BSN in Virginia where she began working with Medical/Surgical patients and grew in her profession. When she had her first child, the experience gave her a desire to work with other first-time parents and help them through all the fear and anxieties that come with this brand new challenge. She became a Mother/Baby RN in 2015 and has loved working with newborns and parents ever since. In 2023 Melanie was recognized with the ‘Good Catch Award’ at her hospital for identifying a potential safety issue and thereby preventing harm to the patient. She is currently working towards completing the requirements to be a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor.
She lives in Orlando with her husband, three kids, and senior dog, Buddy. She loves to read, go the beach, and visit Disney (with or without the kids).
Elizabeth Nash, RN, BSN, CPN
Beth is an Orlando Native! She received her nursing degree from Valencia College and went to UCF for her BSN. She has been a pediatric nurse since 2011, which is something she has wanted for most of her life – the idea of helping the innocent made this career even more rewarding. She was a pediatric ER nurse for the first seven years, after which she moved to pediatric cardiac ICU where she still works today. Beth has been nominated for the Nurse Excellence Award two times, once in Atlanta and just recently in Orlando.
She is a runner who lives for race days. Beth also loves traveling, hiking, music concerts and Broadway shows. She has a dog named Phoebe and 2 cats name Monica and Chandler. Yes, she is a big Friends fan!