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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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Luce Solari-Suprena, APRN, has been a board-certified family nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) since 2013. She provides compassionate care to patients at AssociatesMD in Margate, Florida. 

Luce received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and a master's degree in nursing from Florida International University in Miami, graduating with honors. 

Luce began her nursing career in 2007. As a nurse practitioner, she has worked in various inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as emergency medicine, internal medicine, family medicine, transplant ICU, telemedicine, HIV management, home health, long-term care, mental health, med-surg, and urgent care.

Luce is honored to be a part of AssociatesMD, where her main focus is to provide comprehensive care for every patient in a timely manner while focusing on disease prevention, management, and health promotion. She is passionate about teaching her patients ways to improve their health. Strong communication skills and a kind soul have been Luce’s assets in her long career dedicated to service.

She is fluent in Creole, French, and English. In her spare time, Luce enjoys spending time with her family, reading, doing beach activities, dancing, and traveling.

Elisabeth Cohn-Gelwasser, MD, is a skilled and practiced Doctor of Medicine specializing in Primary Care and Internal Medicine. Dr. Cohn-Gelwasse sees patients at the multi-specialty medical group’s office in Davie, Florida. She takes time with each individual and consistently delivers high-quality, personalized care.

Dr. Cohn-Gelwasser has vast experience practicing as an internist and primary care physician. She has served the community practicing for nearly 30 years under Total Healthcare of South Florida, Inc. in Pembroke Pines.

She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and works in association with Memorial Hospital Pembroke, Memorial Hospital West, and Memorial Regional Hospital.

Dr. Cohn-Gelwasser is renowned for providing thorough medical care for treating many conditions, including, but not limited to, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, fever, and allergies.

She earned her medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine and subsequently completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. 

Dr. Cohn-Gelwasser is an active member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians and the American College of Physicians. She spends time as an adjunct professor at Nova College of Osteopathic Medicine, teaching medicine to future doctors.

Dr. Cohn-Gelwasser is an excellent communicator, which makes her skilled in building and strengthening relationships with diverse populations. 

She strives to make each patient’s visit a pleasant and pain-free experience. She clearly communicates with her patients and ensures they have all the information they need to make the right treatment choices. She is also flexible in working with the changing trends in medicine and the healthcare market.

Dr. Cohn-Gelwasser is an excellent communicator, which makes her skilled in building and strengthening relationships with diverse populations.

Kirenia Santiuste, DNP-PhD-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner serving patients at AssociatesMD in Davie, Florida. She holds an Autonomous Practice Endorsement in Florida due to her vast knowledge and expertise.

Kirenia was born and raised in Cuba, where she decided at the age of 5 to dedicate her life to the art of medicine and her patients (who were dolls at the time). Her parents were the engine that would push her to pursue her dreams. Kirenia attended medical school in her native city, bringing several years of competence, experience, evidence-based practice (EBP), and endless commitment to AssociatesMD and the community.

Kirenia has been practicing as a primary care provider since 2016 and holds a Master of Science in nursing and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she received The Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence due to her stellar performance as well as the Chancellor’s List Award for five consecutive years. 

Kirenia also practices as a women’s nurse practitioner, certified colposcopist, and mentor, which was granted due to more than 4,000 direct clinical hours in an OB/GYN private practice. Kirenia completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice core components and combined it with a PhD-candidature at Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Kirenia has been extensively recognized by her colleagues, nursing organizations, and patients for her professionalism, charisma, leadership, patient care, excellence, and commitment to clinical practice, including the NCQA for preventing diabetes and data measurement. 

In her free time, Kirenia loves spending time with her beloved family. She enjoys reading, going to the movies, and caring for her orchids, her favorite flowers. She is also active in her son’s extracurricular activities, school PTA, and the community.

With more than four decades as a primary care physician, Richard Reines, MD, brings the highest level of experience and skill to his work at AssociatesMD in Dania Beach, Florida. Dr. Reines is board-certified in family practice by the American Board of Family Medicine, and he welcomes patients from all age groups. 

Dr. Reines earned his medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. He went on to complete his internship and residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital, the main teaching hospital for the University of Miami in Miami, Florida. 

In addition to treating patients in the Dania Beach office of AssociatesMD, Dr. Reines is affiliated with Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. 

As part of a multispecialty medical group, Dr. Reines is able to provide both primary care and many types of specialized care to his patients at AssociatesMD. He speaks English, Spanish, and Guarani fluently. 

At this time, Dr. Reines is accepting new patients in the Dania Beach office and looks forward to greeting both new and returning patients soon. Telemedicine appointments are also available.