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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. Israel Galtes is a skilled cardiologist practicing at the Cardiovascular Wellness Center in Homestead, Florida. 

Dr. Galtes was born in Havana, Cuba, and obtained his medical degree from the University of Havana School of Medicine. Early in his education, he paid close attention to the importance of history taking and physical examination, as technological resources were scarce at that time. His professors rapidly infused him with the philosophy of devoted patient care and true concern for the ill.

He graduated with honors and was selected to participate in the Talent Program, a selected group of doctors who, based on their accomplishments, were granted the subspecialty of their choice at a time when this was a great privilege. Dr. Galtes was planning to enter his cardiology training then.

Despite this, Dr. Galtes decided to emigrate to the US and, after sitting for the medical board examinations, started training at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, where he specialized in Internal Medicine. During his residency, he received the Best Intern Award as well as the Alfred Pick Award for Academic Excellence.

He continued his training at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, where he completed his Cardiology Fellowship. Later, he dedicated a year to Interventional Cardiology training.

Dr. Galtes truly believes in up to date knowledge of the advances in cardiovascular medicine as a way to provide optimal patient care. He mentors medical students and residents and assists to most major cardiovascular conferences yearly.

Dr. Galtes is also a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Internal Medicine (Cardiovascular Diseases), the American Board of Echocardiography and  the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology.

Dr. Galtes also specializes in treating venous disorders. Under his leadership, the Homestead Cardiac and Vein Center was created to treat lower extremity venous disease.

In his spare time, Dr. Galtes dedicates time to his horse breeding ranch; he also enjoys photography, tennis, and water sports.

Mauricio Buendia, MD, is one of the skilled cardiologists at Cardiovascular Wellness Center located in Homestead, Florida. 

Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Dr. Buendia attended medical school at Universidad El Bosque Medical School in Bogota. After relocating to the United States, Dr. Buendia completed a fellowship in special immunology at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. He then went on to complete his internal medicine internship and residency and his cardiology residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

To maintain the highest standard of care for his patients, Dr. Buendia is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (internal medicine), the National Board of Echocardiography (adult comprehensive echocardiography), the American Board of Internal Medicine (cardiovascular disease), and the Board of Nuclear Cardiology. 

As an active healthcare professional, Dr. Buendia has contributed to numerous publications throughout his career. 

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Buendia, call Cardiovascular Wellness Center or request one online today. 

Benjamin Hurwitz, MD, is an experienced cardiologist at Cardiovascular Wellness Center serving adults in Homestead, Florida. He accepts most health insurance and welcomes new patients to the practice.

Dr. Hurwitz studied at the University of California, Irvine, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology. After graduation, he enrolled at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where he obtained his master’s degree in biomedical science policy. 

In 2011, Dr. Hurwitz enrolled at the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University and earned his Doctor of Allopathic Medicine. Before entering private practice, Dr. Hurwitz completed an internal medicine residency and a cardiovascular disease fellowship at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida.

At Cardiovascular Wellness Center, Dr. Hurwitz diagnoses and treats various heart-related health conditions, including arrhythmia, high blood pressure, and heart disease. When he isn’t seeing patients, he serves as the Chief of Medicine at Homestead Hospital. He is also on the hospital’s Medical Staff Quality Committee.

Outside of work, Dr. Hurwitz is active in the cardiology community. He regularly contributes to scientific publications and speaks at conferences and industry events. Dr. Hurwitz is a member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Hurwitz is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Internal Medicine (Cardiovascular Diseases), the American Board of Echocardiography, and Certified in the Board of Nuclear Cardiology. He is also a registered physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI). 

Dr. Hurwitz welcomes anyone seeking high-quality cardiology care to schedule an appointment at Cardiovascular Wellness Center. Call the office or request an appointment online today. 

Thomas Nguyen, MD, MS, is a skilled internal medicine and nephrology physician at Nguyen Medical Group in Boynton Beach, Florida. Dr. Nguyen considers it a privilege to serve the community where he grew up. 

Dr. Nguyen started his educational pursuits at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he completed his Bachelor of Science in microbiology in 2000. After completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Nguyen earned his Master of Science in molecular genetics and gene therapy in 2002, also from the University of Florida. In 2006, he earned his Doctor of Medicine from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

After completing his studies, Dr. Nguyen returned to his home state of Florida, where he completed his residency and fellowship at UF Health Jacksonville (formerly Shands Jacksonville) in 2011. Shortly after, Dr. Nguyen opened Nguyen Medical Group.

As an experienced physician, Dr. Nguyen understands the importance of strong doctor-patient relationships. At well-visits, he takes great pleasure in learning about the lives of his patients while simultaneously assessing their health. Dr. Nguyen takes great pride in being there for his patients, especially when their health is compromised, so he can be their guiding light, steering them back into good health. 

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Nguyen and the team at Nguyen Medical Group, call the office or book online today.

Medical Doctor since 1985. Specialist in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Fellow of The American College of Physician, Fellow of The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Member of the American Association of Gastroenterology, The American Obesity Association and the ALEH. Unrestricted active Medical License in Florida and Puerto Rico (USA). Fifteen years teaching experience in the Gastroenterology Residency Program at Red Cross Hospital "Carlos J. Bello" Former President of the Hepatology Chapter of the Venezuelan Society of Gastroenterology. Published several papers and held presentation in the field of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Since 2015 Practicing as a Internal Medicine/Liver Diseases Physician in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. Medical Director at Bright Future Mental Health , Lake Worth, FL. Civil Surgeon Designation by USCIS

Y. Joseph Usta, MD, was born in Iowa City, Iowa. He was raised on an American compound in Dhahran called Aramco and went to high school at a Department of Defense Navy base in Bahrain.  He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Arizona in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Chemistry. He did a year of GI research n pancreatic cell transplant at Emory University in Atlanta. He completed his medical school at the American University of Beirut (AUB). He did his Internal Medicine training at St. Joseph Hospital and Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona. During his training he was selected as a fourth year Chief Resident in Internal Medicine and again selected to be Chief Fellow in Gastroenterology.

He also served as an Assistant Professor for both the University of Arizona and Creighton Medical Schools. Currently, Dr. Usta gives monthly lectures to residents and students at Wellington Reginal Medical Center and regularly has residents seeing patients with him in his clinic.

Dr. Usta is trained in all general GI but has a specific interest in liver diseases (Hepatology). He is very comfortable taking care of complex liver diseases including fatty liver, hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis, and getting patients ready for liver transplants consideration.

Dr Usta sees patients upstairs in the clinic and does procedures downstairs at the endoscopy center in the same building, cutting commute time and confusion for his patients. Some of the procedures he does include Upper Endoscopy (EGD), Screening Colonoscopy, and Capsules. He sees patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD), swallowing difficulties, and Barrett’s Esophagus. He regularly removes colon polyps during screening colonoscopies to help prevent colon cancer.

He also treats hemorrhoids using the CRH O'Regan System banding which is “fast and painless, over 99% effective and covered by insurance with no recovery time, fasting, or sedation” as per their website. 

Professional & Teaching Experiences

• Assistant Professor, University of Arizona.
• Assistant Professor, Creighton Medical School.

Research & Publications

• Poster 1675 Agent Orange Exposure
• Presented an abstract to the 2015 American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG)

Hobbies

Dr. Usta has two daughters and a son, and a pet tortoise named “Tiki”. His hobbies include working out at Orang Theory, fishing, kayaking, biking, and any activity that includes the pool or beach. He is also not scared to try new foods from around the world. He loves gardening and has a few fruit trees that he manages in his backyard. He is currently taking online courses at Standford University on quantum physics for fun and loves to read books about history especially pertaining to World War I and II.