Dr. Perkowski is drawn to pediatrics for the diversity and spontaneity each day brings, and she has a particular passion for nutrition and behavioral health. She values a whole-child approach to care, supporting both physical health and emotional well-being.
Dr. Perkowski has lived in Spain, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania, and holds dual nationality, with deep family roots in Spain. Fluent in Spanish, she enjoys connecting with families from a variety of backgrounds. Outside of work, she loves traveling, cooking, and spending time adventuring outdoors with her husband and their dog.
Samantha is passionate about supporting children and families and creating a warm, welcoming environment for everyone who walks through the door. She brings many years of experience working with children in education and medical settings, and holds a degree in psychology with dual minors in child welfare and substance abuse. Samantha enjoys building relationships with families and helping ensure their experience is smooth, supportive, and positive from start to finish.
Originally from Fort Lauderdale, South Florida, and now proud to call Jacksonville home, Samantha loves exploring local parks, making memories with family and friends, and staying involved in her community. She is committed to helping children grow healthy and confident while supporting parents every step of the way.
Dr. Emmanuel is a board-certified pediatrician who loves supporting parents on their journey to raising happy, healthy kids. She has long supported Florida communities, practicing pediatric primary care in Margate, Plantation, and Coral Springs. During those years, she recognized the need to deliver care differently and work to make it accessible for all families; it’s one of the reasons she chose to join Pediatrica. Dr. Emmanuel enjoys taking the time to get to know patients and to provide each with personalized, thorough, and holistic care. She is passionate about building lasting and trusting relationships with parents and patients as a foundation for excellent physical and mental health.
When she is not caring for patients, you can find Dr. Emmanuel getting outside and enjoying activities with her two sons – biking, walking, going to the beach and travelling.
Dr. Ramchandra’s love for pediatrics comes from the joy she experiences watching her patients grow and develop. She is especially passionate about helping kids and their families maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Ramchandra is an avid weightlifter and reader. She and her husband, a local radiologist, share a home with their rambunctious toddler daughter and a cat named Hippo. They are parishioners of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, and outside of work, she and her family enjoy taking road trips to visit family and going on outdoor adventures.
October 5, 2026 Update: As of November 19, 2026, Dr. Priya Ramchandra will be ending her tenure with Pediatrica of Heritage Trace. All Pediatrica patient families and associates alike will miss her dearly. We thank her for her service and wish her the very best.
No action is required from you. If you have an upcoming appointment booked with Dr. Ramchandra, you will receive a call from our office to confirm the appointment details or reschedule if necessary. Your medical records remain with Pediatrica and are accessible by you and our health care team at any time.
I have questions; who can I talk to?
You can still reach out to the practice as you always have; the team would be pleased to hear from you.
Pediatrica of Heritage Trace: (817) 617-8600
Urszula Herbert loves caring for kids – she appreciates their ruthless honesty and big personalities, and she finds true joy in watching them grow from toddlers into confident big kids. A firm believer in a holistic approach to care, Urszula is also certified as a pediatric mental health provider through the REACH Institute.
Born in Białystok, Poland, Urszula has lived in New York, Georgia, and Florida, and now calls St. Augustine home. Outside of work, she loves traveling, trying new foods, visiting Disney, and spending time with her pets – a German shepherd named Chewy and two cats. A true animal lover, she once had three dogs and six cats!
Her greatest joy is her spirited 2-year-old daughter, her mini me and the heart of her world.
Sydney loves working in pediatrics, watching kids reach developmental milestones as well as discover who they are as people. In addition to being a physician assistant, Sydney is a certified athletic trainer with a background in pediatrics and sports medicine. This combination of skills is a definte asset to the active community of kids she has the privilege of supporting.
Sydney grew up in Sarasota, Florida and has a passion for being outdoors and going on adventures! She loves spending her free time trying new foods, hiking, enjoying music, sports, and going on fun adventures with my family.
Javier Torres Hernandez began his medical career as a physician in his hometown of Santa Clara, Cuba and then went on to practice in vibrant Caracas, Venezuela, before moving to sunny Miami. After arriving in the U.S., he pursued his dream of continuing in healthcare, earning a degree as a nurse practitioner, and has been proudly working as a pediatric nurse practitioner since 2022, bringing nearly 30 years of experience to help support community families.
Inspired to help children grow, heal, and thrive, Javier was compelled to focus on pediatrics; he insists their energy keeps him young and finds the relationships he builds with families to be truly priceless.
Javier is a photography enthusiast, loves to travel and explore different cultures, and treasures time with friends and family, including his dog. His journey has been colorful, challenging, and joyful—and he wouldn’t trade a moment of it.
With over 25 years in pediatrics and 10 years in management, Maribel has built her career around supporting families, staff, and providers to create an exceptional care experiences and optimize practice efficiency. Maribel loves working in pediatrics as the practice Manager and leading teams that make a difference in children’s lives every day. When not at work, you’ll find her traveling or enjoying time with her husband, daughter, family, and friends.
Dr. Marisa Laughrey is from Merritt Island, Florida; she earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from Florida State University (Go Noles!). While in undergraduate studies, she earned a certificate in developmental disabilities. She then went on to Columbia, South Carolina, where she completed her pediatric residency. Her beautiful cat, Luna, loves to play fetch and catch and watch all things Disney! Her passions include Disney, going to the beach, a movie, or brunch with family and friends.
Dr. Laughrey is board-certified and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and she looks forward to meeting new families and helping the community in St. Johns with compassionate care, including behavioral and mental health.
Belinda loves working with the kids who visit the practice every day, watching them grow and thrive. After working in pediatrics for close to 20 years, she can’t imagine doing anything else as fulfilling.
As a self-described military brat, Belinda has been fortunate to do plenty of traveling; her explorations extend as far as Japan and Germany. Outside the office, Belinda enjoys taking walks on the beach and continuing to expand her global exploration whenever she can.