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Sharnice has been working in the nursing profession since 2012. She received her BSN and MSN from Chamberlain University. Initially professionally trained as a Registered Nurse, Sharnice prides herself on her knowledge and expertise with high standards of culturally competent care for a wide variety of patients with diverse needs. She has managed and cared for both common and complex medical conditions in patients of all ages and has proven the ability to remain calm and provide ethical and effective care to patients during a crisis. Her experience as a staff nurse has been beneficial to her transition as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) which puts her in the perfect position to make a positive contribution to the healthcare system within the community in which she was born and raised- Jacksonville, Fl.

Carllisa Williams, MSN, APRN is a board-certified nurse practitioner who provides comprehensive primary care and wellness services for children, adolescents, and adults. She focuses on preventive care, chronic disease management, and personalized treatment plans to help patients achieve optimal health. Carllisa treats a variety of common conditions including hypertension, diabetes, weight concerns, fatigue, and general health needs. She also offers wellness-focused services for patients seeking support with energy, recovery, and overall health optimization. Her approach emphasizes patient education, compassionate care, and evidence-based treatment tailored to each individual’s health goals. Appointments are available for in-person and telehealth visits.

Originally from Richmond, VA, I did some time in the Army and ended up in Texas, where I met my wife. Our young family decided to move back to Florida get back to the beach and culture. I enjoy procedures, acute and chronic care, and working together with patients to achieve their goals. I enjoy working with patients to prevent and correct any health concerns they may have. I enjoy any hiking and camping, tinkering in the garage, and going to the beach.

Speaks Icelandic

Welcome to Crescent Beach Care! As a nurse practitioner, I strive to provide patient-centered care, focusing on health maintenance, health promotion, and disease management. I am proud to be a member of the Crescent Beach Care team of providers. I look forward to personalizing care for each of my patients and their families.

I'm a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in holistic health care, working closely with patients to achieve their goals and manage chronic conditions through individualized diet, exercise and medical management. A tried-and-true Floridian, Sara was born and raised in Miami, received her BSN from Florida State University in 2006 and MSN from University of Florida in 2012. St Augustine became her forever home in 2007 and life is full of activity with her amazing husband and four busy kids. When not caring for patients, she is likely to be found on the soccer turf or baseball pitch but tries to squeeze in a beach day or camping trip whenever the opportunity arises!

Stephany Matallana is a dedicated and compassionate Board Certified Physician Assistant specializing in pediatrics. She is currently based at the Julington Creek location and works full-time, bringing her expertise and passion to the field.

Stephany's journey in pediatric care began almost a year ago, and she is driven by her strong desire to make a positive impact on the lives of children. Her commitment to this field was further solidified during her time as a medical scribe in a pediatric emergency room. She finds it incredibly rewarding to contribute to a child's development and overall well-being.

Stephany's academic background is impressive, with an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences from Florida International University, accompanied by a minor in Chemistry. She continued her education at Florida International University, where she earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies with Honors.

In her PA-patient relationships, Stephany places great importance on building connections with children and their families. She values qualities such as patience and trustworthiness, which help foster a comfortable and nurturing environment for her young patients.

Outside of her professional life, Stephany enjoys a variety of activities during her free time. She has a passion for movies and often spends quality time with her husband and their beloved puppy, Max. Traveling, swimming, and exploring new places are also among her favorite pastimes.

Stephany is proud to be fluent in Spanish and hails from Colombia, a part of her cultural heritage she deeply cherishes. In her downtime, she indulges in unique hobbies, such as couponing, and she is an avid movie enthusiast who frequents theaters to catch the latest releases.

Stephany's interests extend beyond the realm of medicine. She has a penchant for watching spooky movies and has a favorite quote that reflects her outlook on life: "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game," a sentiment shared by the legendary Babe Ruth.

If she could have a superpower, Stephany would choose teleportation, allowing her to be anywhere in an instant and bypass the hassles of traffic. Her love for exploration and adventure aligns perfectly with this choice.

In addition to her medical profession and unique interests, Stephany has a furry family member named Maximus, a shnorkie (half yorkie, half schnauzer), and she recently celebrated her marriage in Colombia with her wonderful husband.

Stephany Matallana brings not only her medical expertise but also her vibrant personality and diverse interests to the world of pediatrics. Her dedication to children's well-being, combined with her love for family, adventure, and unique hobbies, makes her a valuable addition to the medical community and a delight to those who have the privilege of knowing her.

Nicole earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of North Florida and currently serves as a Psychometrician at Angel Kids. She brings a broad range of experience supporting children and families, along with a strong background in crisis intervention. Nicole previously served as a Care Coordinator within the organization, and her professional background also includes work in rehabilitation settings and providing ongoing, one-on-one support to families navigating Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. She plans to continue her education and ultimately pursue a PhD, and is currently exploring the path that best fits her long-term goals.

Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her animals—including her cats and chameleon—being outdoors, going to the gym, and taking beach trips and vacations. She is excited to bring her diverse experience to the Angel Kids team and is committed to providing compassionate, dedicated care to every family she serves.

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.

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.