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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. 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

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. 

Yana Gofman, D.O. is a board-certified physician with extensive experience in primary care, geriatric medicine, and preventative healthcare. She graduated with honors from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she ranked in the top 10% of her class and was the recipient of the prestigious A. Alvin Greber Cardiology Award. 

Dr. Gofman earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in 2007, where she received the Outstanding Student Award. She began her academic journey at Ferris State University, demonstrating early on a strong commitment to excellence in her studies.

Her medical training includes completing an internship and residency in osteopathic internal medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, FL, from 2011 to 2014. During this time, she gained a robust foundation in managing complex medical conditions across diverse patient populations.

Dr. Gofman has over a decade of professional experience as a primary care physician. Her clinical focus is on treating adult and geriatric patients, emphasizing personalized care and preventative medicine to enhance patient outcomes. Dr. Gofman is deeply committed to fostering long-term patient relationships and empowering individuals to achieve their best health through proactive, comprehensive care.

Dr. Gofman is fluent in both English and Russian, which enables her to effectively communicate with a diverse range of patients. Beyond her professional endeavors, she values spending time with her family, exploring travel opportunities, and enjoying the outdoors. Her multifaceted interests and dedication to patient care exemplify her holistic approach to medicine.

Robin Saltz, DO, has been a board-certified family medicine physician in South Florida for 30 years. As a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) at AssociatesMD, Dr. Saltz provides exemplary family medicine care for her patients in the Dania Beach, Florida, office. 

Dr. Saltz earned her undergraduate degree at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. She went on to the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, now part of the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned her DO. 

Dr. Saltz has been a member of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and the Florida Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians since 1998. 

She’s also an experienced educator. In the 1990s, Dr. Saltz taught second-year medical students at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Davie, Florida, while treating patients at the school’s clinic. 

Her passion for education remains today, and her special areas of interest include educating the public about common conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and headaches through online lectures. 

At this time, Dr. Saltz is seeing new and established patients in the Dania Beach facility.  

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.

Dr. Rebecca Yaras is a skilled family medicine physician dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida in 2014, before completing her medical education at Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she graduated in 2020. Dr. Yaras then pursued her residency in family medicine at Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, FL, completing her training in 2023.

Dually trained and previously employed in both primary care and urgent care medicine, Dr. Yaras has honed her ability to manage a diverse range of medical conditions in a fast-paced environment. Her background equips her with a broad skill set and a patient-centered approach, essential for delivering effective and personalized care in family medicine.

Dr. Yaras is passionate about building lasting relationships with her patients and focuses on preventive care, chronic disease management, and overall wellness. Her approach is guided by a commitment to understanding each patient’s unique needs and working collaboratively to achieve their health goals.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Yaras enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, playing sports—particularly basketball—and traveling. These interests help her maintain a balanced lifestyle and foster a well-rounded perspective on life and health.

Dr. Yaras is excited to contribute her expertise to AssociatesMD and looks forward to making a positive impact on her patients' lives.

Dr. M. Sheikh, MDPA, is a board-certified physician dedicated to delivering exceptional healthcare services with a focus on family medicine. With a solid educational background and ongoing commitment to medical advancements, Dr. Sheikh offers comprehensive care, including preventive medicine, chronic disease management, women's health, men's health, pediatric care, and geriatric medicine. His holistic approach emphasizes overall wellness, promoting healthy lifestyles, and patient education. Dr. Sheikh actively engages in community health initiatives and strives to be a trusted healthcare partner for his patients, fostering lasting relationships and guiding them towards improved health and well-being.