Cardiologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Chiropractor providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dentist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dermatologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Family Physician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
OB-GYN providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Ophthalmologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Orthopedic Surgeon providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Pediatrician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Physical Therapist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Podiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Psychiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
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 The Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research
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 Juliet was a great doctor and her professional advices were good! And her diagnose and treatment were really accurate! She gave me peace of mind! Thank you very much”
“Dr. Daniel is an excellent doctor — highly professional, caring with his patients, and incredibly attentive. My treatment with him has been a great success, and that’s why I told him: ‘Don’t forget, you’re the best!’””
Orland Mata obtained his Master's of Science in Nursing in Universidad el Turabo in Puerto Rico and graduated in 2016. He then moved form Puerto Rico to Florida seeking better opportunities and was able to initiate his nurse practitioner career in Sebring, FL in October of 2016 as a Nephrology Nurse Practitioner. With over 6 years of experience in internal medicine, nephrology, and primary care, Mr. Mata developed a passion for preventative care. He decided to embark on the journey of providing holistic primary care services to the community of Highlands County who has accepted him since his arrival from Puerto Rico over 6 years ago. Mr. Mata is a double board certified nurse practitioner in family medicine and nephrology and is excited to apply his knowledge and experience in the acute and chronic healthcare settings in the area of primary care in order to prevent and manage complications that can lead to severe adverse events in the long run.
Dr. Ashton C. Brinson, MD is a committed family medicine physician who uses his expertise, training, and education to help patients every day. His own drive for health and wellness drives his passion to help others achieve their health and wellness goals.
Dr. Brinson graduated from Edgewater High School in 1986 after growing up in Orlando, Florida, and later attended Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. He graduated from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee and completed his internship at Warren Hospital in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. He then went on to complete his Family Practice residency training at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, obtaining the necessary training to practice in the field and ensure his patients receive the care and consultation they need.
Allow me to help you look your best, feel your best, and be your best.
Dr Zuniga founded Zunimed Family & Wellness Clinic with a clear vision: to provide compassionate, personalized care that blends the best of modern medicine with a holistic approach to lifelong wellness.
With board certifications in both Family and Obesity Medicine, Dr Zuniga specializes in helping patients not only to treat illness but also to achieve their healthiest selves. Her passion lies in prevention, education, and empowering patients to take control of their health at every stage of life.
Known for her attentive listening, calming presence, and evidence-based decision-making skills, Dr Zuniga founded Zunimed to create a clinic environment that feels both elevated and deeply personal-where patients are treated like people, not charts.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr Zuniga is passionate about health equity and providing culturally sensitive care to diverse populations.
“Dr. Zuniga is a caring, patient, and knowledgeable doctor. She took the time to listen to my concerns, and I did not feel rushed at any point. The office is beautiful, clean, and welcoming. I would not hesitate to recommend her practice to anyone looking for a wonderful Doctor!”
