Find a Top Family Doctor Near Me in Deerfield Beach, FL – Book an Appointment Instantly

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.

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.

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.

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.

Having most of your healthcare needs met by one doctor at one practice can be your new reality when you seek medical treatment at Plantation Medical Clinic, located in Plantation, Florida. Peter Simek, MD, and the clinic’s talented medical team can diagnose and treat just about any health problem you have, and attend to simple needs like routine check-ups. Plantation Medical Clinic is conveniently located close to neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Sunrise, and Cooper City.

Dr. Simek earned his medical degree from New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York. As a board-certified physician in emergency medicine, he treats patients for numerous health issues. Dr. Simek also offers routine physicals and wellness checks.

Plantation Medical Clinic has a multilingual staff fluent in English, Spanish, Russian, Czech, Slovak, Hebrew, and German. If you need to visit a caring and highly attentive Internal Medicine Physician, Peter Simek, MD, is currently accepting new patients that are in need of internal medicine, general health, and primary care services.

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.

Dr. Nasreen Ghazi is a board-certified family medicine physician providing comprehensive primary care in South Florida. She earned her medical degree from George Washington University and completed her residency at the University of Pennsylvania, where she received recognition for her excellence in women's health/obstetrics.

Dr. Ghazi has extensive experience in outpatient primary care and is dedicated to preventive health, women’s health, and managing a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, where she teaches and mentors medical students.

She is committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care and speaks conversational Spanish, with additional proficiency in Urdu, Bangla, and Arabic. 

When she is not at work, Dr. Ghazi is running after her three children and their dog, Gypsy! She loves to paint watercolors, read romance novels and enjoy the outdoors. 

Languages Spoken: English, Conversational Spanish, Proficiency in Urdu, Bangla, and Arabic

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.

Jeff Spindler, APRN, is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Jeff sees patients from the AssociatesMD office in Plantation, Florida. 

Jeff studied at Florida State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Communications. Upon graduation, he attended Florida Atlantic University graduating Magna Cum Laude in the BSN program. 

Jeff worked over six years in a Trauma 1 hospital located in Fort Lauderdale, providing acute care to hundreds of patients. One aspect he disliked about nursing was that once the patient was discharged from the hospital, the nurse no longer participated in the plan of care. 

So Jeff elected to advance his formal education and pursue a Master’s degree in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at South University, where he graduated with High Honors. Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner provided him the opportunity to have a more primary role in the care of his patients. 

As a primary care provider, he has been able to deliver quality healthcare to families throughout their life span and health continuum. His plan of care objectives for his patients are based on health promotion and disease prevention.

Having grown up in South Florida, Jeff continues to stay active in many community organizations. During his free time, he plays multiple sports and attends the gym daily. He is an avid sports fan of many Florida teams, including the Florida State Seminoles, the Miami Dolphins, and the Miami Heat.

Andrea J. Ramsay, MD, is a skilled primary care physician serving patients from the Plantation, Florida, office of AssociatesMD. 

Dr. Ramsay always had a dream and desire to become a special kind of doctor. Growing up in Miami, Florida, she attended the University of Florida and St. George’s University School of Medicine to begin a lifelong journey and dedication to the medical profession.

As Dr. Ramsay decided on her specialty, she pursued training in Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Trauma, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Plastic Surgery, and then Family Medicine – Family Medicine became her true calling because she could do a little bit of everything.

After spending a year in Buffalo, New York, for a Family Medicine Internship, she returned home to complete her residency at the University of Miami. The Jackson Memorial Hospital experience allowed her to speak medical Spanish fluently. 

Since 2015, Dr. Ramsay has been with AssociatesMD. She has long-term patients who have followed her from the Pembroke Pines office because they feel she has saved and improved their lives in a significant manner and is compassionate in her care. Her patients feel safe and comfortable and appreciate her experience in knowing what works best and shifting when a new approach is necessary. It is a partnership where both parties are involved in caring/healing because neither can happen independently.

Dr. Andrea J. Ramsay is board certified in Family Medicine and has over 25 years of experience. She continues training in Integrative Medicine, including Ayurvedic Medicine, supplements, and herbal medicine, and supports healing in mental health/cognitive behavioral therapy.

#1.: Golden Rule. “Treat the patient like you want to be treated and treat them like they are family.”
#2. Live a Healthy and Spiritual Life. Don’t just talk the talk but walk the walk.
#3. Keep it simple. “Medicine and Insurance companies can get very complicated. It is my job to be a wise filter. I am here to understand, help diagnose, and treat and provide the best quality care for each and every patient.”

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Cindy Katanick, DO, is a board-certified osteopathic family medicine provider at AssociatesMD in Plantation, Florida. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Katanick watched the “Marcus Welby, MD” television series as a kid and knew then that she wanted to become a doctor.

Dr. Katanick began her career by attending Michigan State University for her undergraduate studies. Following that, she attended medical school at the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa. Relocating to Madison Heights, Michigan, Dr. Katanick completed her internship at the Oakland General Hospital. It was her Family Practice residency at Southeastern Medical Center in Miami that finally brought her to the sunshine state of Florida.

Dr. Katanick has been practicing in Plantation, Florida, with AssociatesMD for several years. She now has a concierge medicine practice, and her patients love the dedicated spirit and encouragement she provides them to live healthy lives. Call the office to book your appointment with Dr. Katanick 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.