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As one of South Florida’s leading sports medicine physicians, Moisés Irizarry-Román, MD, is an expert at diagnosing and treating the most complex types of sports and musculoskeletal injuries. To help athletes and active patients get the unique, comprehensive care they need, Dr. Irizarry-Román founded No Mercy Sports Medicine in Miami.

Dr. Irizarry-Román earned his medical degree from the Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Afterward, he completed an internship at San Juan City Hospital, followed by a residency at the Hospital Universitario Dr. Ramon Ruiz Arnau, before relocating to the United States.

Because of his passion for sports medicine, Dr. Irizarry-Román then opted to go through a rigorous sports medicine fellowship at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.

Throughout his career, Dr. Irizarry-Román has remained at the forefront of innovative sports medicine solutions. Before he entered private practice, Dr. Irizarry-Román served as the head of Mercy Hospital’s sports medicine department in Miami and has been a go-to practitioner for all levels of athletes.

Not only has Dr. Irizarry-Román written multiple articles for Box Life magazine, but he’s also a consultant for Univisión’s nightly news program, “Noticias Univisión Edición Nocturna,” as well as “Mira Quién Baila.” Dr. Irizarry-Román is also an expert witness for Telemundo's “Caso Cerrado.”

Since he’s active in the CrossFit® community, Dr. Irizarry-Román is affectionately nicknamed “The BoxDoc.” He’s covered multiple major CrossFit events, including Summer Crush Games and Clash of the Fittest. Dedicated to serving the sports medicine community, Dr. Irizarry-Román even works as a team sports physician for the Mississippi Braves minor league baseball team, the Dixie Rodeo, and the Puerto Rico Islanders professional soccer team, to name a few.

Fluent in English, Spanish, and Swedish, Dr. Irizarry-Román can help patients and athletes from diverse cultural backgrounds. Patients commend his thoroughness, kindness, and dedication to helping them recover from sports injuries as quickly as possible. Dr. Irizarry-Román is also known for being punctual and having zero wait time, often because patients get in the habit of arriving 10 minutes early.

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.

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.

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.

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.