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

Margarita Armas believes in developing strong relationships, in order to provide personalize care, tailored to meet each patient’s specific needs. By utilizing an advanced array of testing and holistic thinking together she can help optimize your health. She enjoyed 10 years of emergency and critical care at the bedside for Mount Sinai Medical Center. She has had the privilege to work alongside South Florida’s top physicians. Including top Internist, Cardiologist and Infectious Disease specialist. With over 15 years’ experience both in the emergency room and private practice, treating patients of all ages makes her knowledge widely based. She enjoys getting to know her patients on a personal level in order to build strong relationships. She received her Master’s degree from Keiser University as well as many certifications in Anti-Aging medicine. She has a passion for helping people by increasing her knowledge continuously and educating herself on innovative medical treatments.

Dina R. Edrich, MD, is a board-certified specialist in family medicine at Beth and Howard Braver, MD, in Hollywood and Aventura, Florida. She has more than 10 years of experience treating patients with a variety of acute and chronic disorders.

Dr. Edrich earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Miami and her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean in St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles. Dr. Edrich continued her medical training with a residency at Rutgers University’s Centra State Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program. She was elected Chief Resident for her final year of training. 

Dr. Edrich is board certified in Family Medicine and maintains hospital affiliations with Aventura Hospital and Memorial Regional Hospital. 

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.

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. 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.

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. Fernando A. Laracuente is our clinical director and leading medical provider at our offices. Dr. Laracuente received a degree from Nova Southeastern University with a specialization in Exceptional Education/Special Services and Nursing Education. He received his Master’s Degree in Nursing as an Advanced Practice Nurse Practice in Family Health and a Master’s of Science in Education in Family Therapy/Marriage Counseling with a Minor in School Counseling. Recent achievements include a post-masters graduate certificate in psychiatric mental health throughout the lifespan.

Dr. Laracuente is a pioneer, as he opened a nurse-operating full functional clinic under Florida's law of autonomous practice. His practice is holistic in that he emphasizes that wellness can only be achieved through balance between our bodies and our minds. His integrated approach can be seen in his ability to manage both primary care and psychiatric conditions.

In our clinic, we treat patients of all ages, from babies to seniors. We provide both primary care and psychiatric services for people of all ages. Dr. Laracuente has attained three distinguishable National Board Certifications through the ANCC and AANP – Family Practice and Psychiatric Mental Health, respectively. He has a license in Florida and New York. 

Dr. Laracuente has been a teacher for more than 20 years. He has taught at major universities, such as Nova Southeastern University, Miami-Dade College, and Universidad del Turabo (part of the Ana G. Mendez University System). Both Miami-Dade County Public Schools and private medical clinics have used him to evaluate the abilities of children with disabilities, as well as the need for services for children and adults. He is considered one of the founders of the Master's in Child Protection at Nova Southeastern University. His research led to the development of a course that is required to get this graduate degree. 

Dr. Laracuente has served in leadership and investigative roles for the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the NYC Administration for Children's Services, where he specialized in neglect, physical, and sexual abuse. He specializes in various forms of trauma as a therapist and provider.

Dr. Laracuente has extensive experience conducting psychiatric assessments required for bariatric weight loss, as well as early intervention. Additionally, he regularly conducts comprehensive developmental evaluations to assess developmental disorders in children (i.e., language delays, autism, ADHD, learning disabilities) and has become instrumental in ordering early services for these children.

At LHA, we feel that all of our patients are members of our family, and we treat you as such. We look forward to helping you achieve your health goals!

Dr. Fernando A. Laracuente

Clinic Director / Owner / Founder

My Weight Loss Company is a medical practice located in Miramar, Florida, providing comprehensive care focused on better health for adults 20 and older. Curtis Wilkinson, DO, and our team of skilled health providers put our patients’ health needs and goals above all else.

Our team takes an individualized and holistic approach, using a combination of science-backed medicine and lifestyle changes to help our patients reach their goals and improve their quality of life. 

We specialize in weight management by offering personalized weight loss plans that focus on nutrition, exercise, and creating healthy habits for long-term results.

We also offer weight loss support, prescribing the medications semaglutide and tirzepatide when appropriate. Our team also has vitamin B12 injections to improve nutritional health, boost energy, and support metabolism.

In addition to our weight loss services, My Weight Loss Company provides anti-aging treatments with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) supplements — a coenzyme made by the body that declines with age. Research suggests supplementing with NAD+ may slow the aging process.

We also prescribe Latisse® — a lash growth serum — for our patients with sparse or short eyelashes.

My Weight Loss Company helps you live your best life by providing the support and guidance that benefits overall health and well-being. 

To get started on your weight loss journey, call the office today or schedule an appointment online.