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Dr. Kennessa Hugger is a physician serving patients across FSCDR’s North Florida locations, including Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Pensacola, and Panama City. She is dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals living with sickle cell disease, with a focus on improving health outcomes through education, prevention, and comprehensive treatment support. Dr. Hugger is committed to ensuring patients throughout North Florida have access to quality care and resources close to home.

Dr. Ronoel Penalver is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician serving patients at FSCDR’s Hollywood, Florida location. He provides comprehensive care focused on prevention, chronic disease management, and improving long-term health outcomes for individuals living with sickle cell disease.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Penalver contributes to clinical research efforts that support the advancement of treatment options and patient care. He is committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care while helping expand access to innovative therapies and medical resources for the communities FSCDR serves.

About Us

The Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research (FSCDR) is a renowned organization solely focused on medical care and clinical research opportunities for those living with Sickle Cell Disease. FSCDR has locations across the State of Florida. Its Flagship is in Hollywood, Florida.

As the only organization in the United States with standalone sickle cell Centers of Excellence, The Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research welcomes patients from all over the world. The team of physicians, specialists, care coordinators, case managers, and social work professionals combine to provide all-inclusive care for children and adults with sickle cell disease.

Their stated mission is to tirelessly research, inform, hear, respect, treat, and support all individuals with sickle cell disease, and to make the disease a livable, non-threatening condition. In addition, they do innovative diagnostic testing, such as transcranial Doppler ultrasounds, X-rays, and medical treatments, including infusion services.

The team at The Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research works with other medical and education professionals to ensure that their patients of all ages receive the care and support they need to thrive, ranging from vaccinations to medication management and social work services.

Along with school individualized educational plan (IEP) support, disability application assistance, and case management, they help patients work through the social determinants of health to ensure patients receive the proper support they need.

To schedule an appointment with The Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research, call or book online today.

Gershwin Blyden, MD, PhD, FCP, FACP, is a board-certified hematologist-oncologist and medical director of The Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research, with locations in Homestead, Orlando, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Belle Glade, Tallahassee, and Hollywood, Florida. With more than 40 years of diverse experience, Dr. Blyden is an esteemed physician in his field.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree in plant science from the Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1967, Dr. Blyden earned a PhD in pharmacology from prestigious Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1976. Just three years later, he also earned his medical doctorate cum laude from Yale University.

In 1985, Dr. Blyden completed an internal medicine internship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. That same year, he also finished his hematology/oncology and clinical pharmacology fellowship at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. 

After graduating and completing his training, Dr. Blyden worked as an adjunct professor for the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine in Miami Shores, Florida, an associate clinical professor of hematology and oncology at the University of Miami School of Medicine in Miami, Florida, and as an associate professor of clinical pharmacy and director of the Clinical Pharmacology Research Unit at Florida A&M University’s Miami location.

Today, Dr. Blyden is a leader in the field of sickle cell treatment, case management, and research. He provides comprehensive care for chronic diseases, with a special emphasis on sickle cell anemia. 

Dr. Blyden offers a variety of infusion services, school individualized education program (IEP) support, transcranial Doppler ultrasounds, and more.

Anthony Shydohub, MD, is a Neurologist specializing in neurophysiology/epilepsy.  He received his medical degree at the American University of the Caribbean.  Dr. Shydohub completed neurology residency at the University of South Alabama. 

 Following residency, Dr. Shydohub completed his Neurophysiology Fellowship at the University of University of New Mexico.  He is trained in electromyography (EMG) and specializes in treating patients with neuromuscular diseases.

 Dr. Shydohub is accepting both new and established patients at The Neurology Institute.  He looks forward to providing you with the highest level of care possible.

La Bonne Sante Clinic is a wellness and mental health center in Florida, run by Sargine Brutus, MD, MPH. She is passionate about treating challenging cases, particularly those where alternative medicine could offer additional benefits to conventional approaches.

Dr. Brutus completed her studies at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York, and is an experienced emergency room (ER) doctor with more than 20 years of practice. Her approach to patient care is that medicine goes beyond simply prescribing a pill. She sees it as a holistic practice that must consider the entire patient — physically, emotionally, and socially.

Psychiatric conditions and symptoms Dr. Brutus diagnoses and treats include anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, insomnia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and substance use disorder implementing the world of ketamine infusions, naltrexone, and suboxone. She uses proven addiction management methods incorporating withdrawal medications and talk therapies.

Another area of expertise at La Bonne Sante Clinic is pain management, including neuropathy and chronic pain managment. Treatment programs combine traditional approaches and psychology with the most effective complementary therapies, like the Nerve Reviver system and stem cell therapy solutions. Dr. Brutus uses data to guide her decisions while maintaining a hands-on approach to care.

The pandemic profoundly influenced Dr. Brutus’s perspective on medicine, reinforcing her commitment to a comprehensive, patient-centered approach and ensuring patients feel seen, heard, and supported as they navigate their most challenging moments. She understands that each patient’s experience is shaped by factors like family dynamics, social situations, and living conditions, and she incorporates this information into her treatment plans.

By considering the whole person, Dr. Brutus offers not just medical treatment but also hope. Her wealth of experience working with diverse patients means she has a unique ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life.

Call La Bonne Sante Clinic to learn more or schedule a consultation via the online booking form today.

Nelson Calvo, APRN is originally from Havana City, Cuba. Growing up he always had a passion for medicine and in 1990 started medical School and graduated in 1996 as a general practitioner in a well-recognized institution, Hospital Calixto Garcia. Nelson then completed his residency program as a Family Physician, ending as a specialist in Urology in 2002. Shortly after, he was sent by the Cuban government to Venezuela as a primary care provider to serve as a doctor in underserved communities.

Working without resources in a community, living below the poverty standard, isolated from health facilities, without economic resources, and with an extremely low level of education, created a new challenge for Mr. Clavo. He then set a goal to reduce comorbidities and mortality associated with parasitism, and chronic/acute disease.

In 2007 he moved to America in hopes of better possibilities for his family and himself. In 2018, after many years of hard work and dedication, Nelson graduated as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and returned to the Primary Care setting again. Now with more experience, he utilized the tools he learned in medical school, residency, and life to improve and promote health in my community. As a practitioner, his goal is to continue using his extensive experience when treating patients and learning in this fast-evolving world of medicine.

Nelson Calvo, APRN is proud to be happily married with two sons, one of which has already graduated as a Medical Doctor and the other on his way to becoming a physician as well. In his free time, he likes practicing sports, dancing, and listening to music.

Yana Gofman, D.O. is a board-certified physician with extensive experience in primary care, geriatric medicine, and preventative healthcare. She graduated with honors from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she ranked in the top 10% of her class and was the recipient of the prestigious A. Alvin Greber Cardiology Award. 

Dr. Gofman earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in 2007, where she received the Outstanding Student Award. She began her academic journey at Ferris State University, demonstrating early on a strong commitment to excellence in her studies.

Her medical training includes completing an internship and residency in osteopathic internal medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, FL, from 2011 to 2014. During this time, she gained a robust foundation in managing complex medical conditions across diverse patient populations.

Dr. Gofman has over a decade of professional experience as a primary care physician. Her clinical focus is on treating adult and geriatric patients, emphasizing personalized care and preventative medicine to enhance patient outcomes. Dr. Gofman is deeply committed to fostering long-term patient relationships and empowering individuals to achieve their best health through proactive, comprehensive care.

Dr. Gofman is fluent in both English and Russian, which enables her to effectively communicate with a diverse range of patients. Beyond her professional endeavors, she values spending time with her family, exploring travel opportunities, and enjoying the outdoors. Her multifaceted interests and dedication to patient care exemplify her holistic approach to medicine.

Jorge Rubinos, MD has been a patient-focused physician for over 20 years, providing high quality, personal levels of healthcare to patients in multiple clinical environments. Dr. Rubinos graduated with his original medical degree from University of Medical Science Carlos J Finlay in Cuba in 1997. He then went on to gain an additional medical license in Puerto Rico where he practiced general medicine and gained a great knowledge in chronic care management and preventive medicine. Shortly after Dr. Rubinos found his forever home when he moved to Miami and received his third medical license in the United States.

Dr. Rubinos’ warm, caring approach to patients and his persistence in finding the best treatment options available has created much success in his career. He prides himself on his compassion for patients as well as his ability to foster positive relationships with patients and families. Dr. Rubinos speaks both English and Spanish fluently and looks forward to proving excellent care to the community.

Slyllia Thompson is a Registered Nurse and Certified Nurse Practitioner with over 12 years of demonstrated nursing experience, spanning dynamic healthcare settings; in areas of Primary Care, Research, Assisted Living Facilities and Home Health. She graduated from Barry University in Miami with a BSN degree and went on to pursue her MSN degree at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She believes in patient centered care and optimizing the best healthcare outcomes for her patients. She enjoys spending time with her family, attending her kids sporting events, traveling, volunteering in her community and a home cooked meal.

Jennifer L. Curro, APRN, is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner at AssociatesMD. She is proud to provide exceptional care to patients at the practice's Plantation, Florida, location. 

Jennifer originally attended the University of Phoenix in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. 

While working full-time in the Emergency Department of a well-known and loved Hospital in Weston, Florida, she completed her Master's in Nursing with a specialization in Family Practice. Her hard work and dedication paid off as she graduated with honors from both programs.

Jennifer is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Nurse Practitioner Council of Palm Beach County, the South Florida Council of Advance Practice Nurses, Inc., the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the Emergency Nurses Association, and Sigma Theta Tau, The International Honor Society of Nursing. 

At AssociatesMD, Jennifer enjoys working collaboratively with her patients to find ways to improve their overall health. Her plan of care objectives for her patients are based on health promotion and disease prevention. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and friends.