Patient-First Care
Why Do Physician Assistants and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Work With Our Surgeons?
At Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine, our surgeons work alongside both Physician Assistants (PAs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Both PAs and APRNs require a master’s degree, clinical training, and board certifications.
As key members of our team and highly skilled professionals, they collaborate closely with our surgeons to ensure you receive the highest level of care and compassion. They frequently visit hospitals to monitor patients and update physicians on each patient’s status. They are essential in extending the reach and enhancing the services provided by our surgeons, improving access to care, and streamlining the process for you to receive the treatment you need.
Jake Hlavach
PA-C
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Jake is a board-certified physician assistant. He received his master’s degree in medical science and has a second master’s degree in molecular medicine. He joined Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics in 2015 and primarily assists our doctors in surgery. He decided to become a PA because this dynamic field offered a wide variety of opportunities to participate in the patient care process, the ability to help patients and to be part of a dedicated health care team. He believes the entire team at Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart shares his focus and values.
Jake moved to Sarasota from Milwaukee at age 9. He was a former high school and college baseball player. He is married to Alexis, who also is a physician assistant. They have two little boys. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and boating. Jake has a strong commitment to community outreach and has volunteered at Hope Lodge, the Children’s Cancer Center in Tampa, and coaching youth baseball.
Bill Ives
PA-C
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Bill is a board-certified physician assistant who works alongside Dr. Charles Stewart.
He began his healthcare career as a medic in the United States Air Force, serving from 1985 to 1995. After earning his master’s degree in physician assistant studies in 2004, Bill joined Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he gained experience in emergency medicine and cardiothoracic surgery.
In 2007, Bill was commissioned as a physician assistant in the United States Army and assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. During his military career, he served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, and Haiti. He later practiced cardiothoracic surgery and trauma care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
From 2012 to 2013, Bill served in the Office of the Surgeon General as executive assistant to the U.S. Army Deputy Surgeon General and leader of the Complex Battle Injury Task Force. He completed his military career with the Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, retiring from the Army with the rank of major in 2017.
After returning to Sarasota, Bill practiced emergency medicine in Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Orthopedic Trauma and Emergency Department until March 2022. Following a period of travel throughout the United States, he joined Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine in October 2022.
Emmanuel (Manny) Hernandez
PA-C
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Manny is a board-certified physician assistant who works alongside Dr. Christopher Sforzo and Dr. Christopher Dillingham. He earned his master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of North Dakota and holds a second master’s degree in athletic training from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
After more than 10 years of experience in orthopedics and sports medicine in Texas, Manny moved to Sarasota with his wife, Jessica, a nurse practitioner, and their three children. He joined Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine in December 2022.
Manny has extensive experience evaluating and treating upper- and lower-extremity injuries. He also has leading experience in shoulder cryoneurolysis, a minimally invasive treatment used to help manage pain.
Outside of work, Manny is devoted to his Christian faith and enjoys spending time with his family and following sports.
Cameron Whitehead
APRN
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Cameron is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner to Dr. Charles Stewart. He holds a master’s degree in nursing from the University of South Alabama.
Cameron joined Little League Baseball at 4 and continued playing through his college years at Furman where he suffered a career-ending back injury. Both his experience during recovery, and as a clinical nurse working with spine specialists and sports medicine, gave him valuable insights into musculoskeletal health and conditions. Pursuing a career in orthopedics seemed like a natural progression.
He and his family moved to Sarasota in the Spring of 2024 to join Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart. With five young children, Cam and his wife, Ashton, enjoy spending time as a family exploring their new home of Sarasota.
James Tran
PA-C
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James is a board-certified physician assistant. Born in Brooklyn, he moved to Florida in 2002 after a family vacation to Sarasota introduced him to the area.
His pursuit of higher education was inspired by a family trip to Vietnam in 2011, where witnessing the healthcare system and living conditions sparked a desire to make a positive impact through medicine. After graduating from the Physical Therapist Assistant program at State College of Florida, James continued his education at the University of South Florida, where he studied biology. He then earned his master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Barry University.
James has since practiced in Sarasota as an orthopedic physician assistant specializing in spine care. His background in physical therapy and spine care allows him to support patients throughout their treatment and recovery.
James and his wife, who is also a physician assistant, met while attending school. They welcomed their son in the summer of 2026 and enjoy spending time together searching for shark teeth and soaking up the sun at Venice Beach.
Darcy Steel
APRN, FNP-C, RNFA
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Darcy is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and registered nurse first assistant with more than 20 years of healthcare experience. Her background includes orthopedics, surgical assisting, women’s health, and medical weight management.
After relocating from the Chicago area to Florida in 2026, Darcy joined Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine. She has a special interest in bone health, osteoporosis prevention, and medical optimization. Darcy is passionate about helping patients improve their overall health while maintaining their strength, mobility, and independence.
Outside of work, Darcy enjoys spending time outdoors, relaxing at the beach, and being with her family and animals.