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.
Lourdes T. Santiago, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon at Colon and Rectal Clinic of Tampa Bay in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Santiago specializes in the treatment of colon and rectal cancers, as well as pelvic floor disorders.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and serving as a major in the United States Army, Dr. Santiago relocated to Tampa Bay, Florida, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Science and Chemistry at the University of South Florida.
Dr. Santiago returned to Puerto Rico, graduating with her Doctor of Medicine from the Ponce School of Medicine. She completed her general surgery residency and colon and rectal surgery fellowship training at the University of South Florida.
She is a member of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), the American College of Surgeons (ACS), and the Florida Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (FLSCRS).
Dr. Santiago has an affiliation with many area hospitals, including St. Petersburg General Hospital in St. Petersburg, Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Largo Medical Center in Largo, and Belleair Surgery Center in Largo.
An advocate for education, Dr. Santiago gives regular presentations in English and Spanish about colon and rectal cancer throughout the Tampa Bay area.
In her free time, Dr. Santiago enjoys giving back to the community she serves. In addition to her lectures and presentations, she volunteers at the Health Department, provides care at local free medical clinics, and participates in local toy drives during the holidays.
Jaggers Keene, MD, provides excellent primary medical care at his practice Jaggers C. Keene, MD, in Largo, Florida. He attended the University of Texas at San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas for his undergraduate degree and earned his medical degree from the East Central University in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.
Dr. Keene went on to graduate from Memorial Family Practice Residency in Houston, Texas, and conducted his family practice residency at McLennan County Medical Education and Research Foundation in Waco, Texas.
Dr. Keene also attended a general surgery residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas, and a reconstructive surgery externship at Santa Rosa Hospital Downtown, part of the Baptist Healthcare System in San Antonio.
Dr. Keene shares his integrative approach to primary care concerns such as diabetes, skin cancer, and heart disease. Make an appointment at his office by calling today or request an appointment using the website
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. 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.
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.
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.
