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Gustavo Cardenas, MD, FACC, is a highly trained and experienced interventional cardiologist and vascular medicine specialist at South Palm Cardiovascular Associates. At the practice in Delray Beach, Florida, he provides direct patient care and consultative services. 

He is dedicated to the prevention, evaluation, and management of cardiac and vascular problems non-invasively and invasively. Dr. Cardenas takes pride in taking the time to listen to his patients, examining them, and establishing personalized care strategies for all of their cardiac and vascular problems.

Dr. Cardenas’ clinical interests include the prevention and management of hypertension, as well as the interpretation of cardiac and vascular tests. He is certified as a hypertension specialist by the American Society of Hypertension and is a registered physician in vascular interpretation. He is also a fellowship-trained vascular and endovascular specialist, treating all types of vascular diseases.

His invasive cardiology interests include minimally-invasive interventional procedures to restore blood flow to blocked coronary and peripheral arteries, treatment of aneurysms, and management of complex cases using advanced technologies. Dr. Cardenas has developed special and unique expertise in the treatment of structural heart diseases, including valvular diseases and procedures to prevent stroke and treat congenital abnormalities.

When clinically indicated, Dr. Cardenas performs coronary procedures through radial access (transradial), an approach that leads to better procedural outcomes and improved patient comfort. He also performs outpatient endovenous ablation for the treatment of varicose veins.

Andres Ruiz, MD, FACC, is a top-ranked, board-certified cardiologist providing state-of-the-art care at South Palm Cardiovascular Associates. He serves patients in Delray Beach, Florida, offering each patient individualized care and attention customized for their specific medical needs and lifestyles. 

As a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Ruiz has extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of heart diseases and related conditions, including heart attack, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, heart murmur, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and pulmonary hypertension. He uses stress testing, echocardiography, angiography, and other advanced techniques to assess patients and manage their care. 

In addition to treating patients with existing diseases, Dr. Ruiz is also skilled in helping patients prevent cardiovascular disease through patient education and interventional approaches aimed at reducing the risks of disease.

Dr. Ruiz completed his medical degree at the Health and Science Institute (CES) in Medellin, Colombia, followed by a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the Medical College of Georgia. He then completed another residency in interventional cardiovascular disease at Loyola University. In addition, he has been the recipient of several medical awards and has been widely published in peer-reviewed medical journals.

Dr. Ruiz enjoys the opportunity to care for new patients and looks forward to meeting them.

Michael Metzger, MD, FACC, is a fellowship-trained interventional cardiologist, with special expertise and training in vascular medicine and endovascular procedures. At South Palm Cardiovascular Associates in Delray Beach, Florida, he has extensive experience detecting and diagnosing the full range of cardiovascular disorders, and provides effective, individualized treatment to his patients.

Dr. Metzger earned his medical degree at the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University in Israel. He then completed his internal medicine residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before completing a cardiology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Afterward, he finished an interventional cardiology fellowship at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. He is board-certified in interventional cardiology, cardiovascular diseases, and internal medicine.

His specialties include the detection and treatment of peripheral arterial disease, as well as diagnosing and treating venous insufficiency. Dr. Metzger is an expert in transradial cardiac catheterization and serves on panels for the “Cardiac Alert” service, which provides prompt interventional services for patients entering the emergency room with heart attacks.

Charles Harring III, MD, FACC, is a board certified cardiologist at South Palm Cardiovascular Associates in Delray Beach, Florida. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. 

Dr. Harring graduated from Florida State University, majoring in biological sciences, and earned his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine. He completed his residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, followed by a cardiology fellowship at the University of South Florida. Dr. Harring’s training included proficiency in general cardiology, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and cardiac catheterization, with subspecialization in pacemaker and implantable defibrillator placement.

Upon completing his fellowship, Dr. Harring started working in private practice with Mid Carolina Cardiology in Charlotte, North Carolina. While working for one of the largest cardiology groups in the country, he maintained an invasive practice, performing all modalities of cardiovascular care. While Dr. Harring continued to battle all aspects of cardiovascular disease, he became attentive to catching diseases before events happened. It was at this time he was first exposed to the developing practice of preventive cardiology.

Dr. Harring joined the team at South Palm Cardiovascular Associates for social reasons, and his focus changed from a more non-invasive practice to prevention. As a clinical cardiologist, including echo and nuclear cardiology, he has developed extensive growth and training in the science of advanced lipidology. His memberships in the National Lipid Association and American Society of Preventative Cardiologists have continued to form a backbone for his continued education.

His future direction and desires include developing an integrative cardiology practice, incorporating not only traditional allopathic teachings but also blending functional and holistic approaches.

Frederick Tackey, MD, is a pulmonary and sleep medicine physician with over 25 years of experience providing compassionate, patient-centered care. At the Pulmonology & Sleep Center in Boynton Beach and Delray Beach, Florida, Dr. Tackey offers his patients a wide range of cutting-edge treatments for a number of different lung condition and lung treatments.

After receiving his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Ghana School of Medicine in Accra, Ghana, Dr. Tackey went on to complete his residency in internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins affiliated Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Tackey continued his postgraduate training with a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care at the University of Miami Jackson Memorial Medical Center in Florida. Prior to his work at the Pulmonology & Sleep Center, Dr. Tackey provided critical care to patients at JFK Medical Center in Atlantis, Florida. He continues to partner with Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach, Florida and Delray Medical Center in Delray, Florida. 

Dr. Tackey provides safe and effective care for a number of pulmonary conditions and sleep disorders. He uses pulmonary function tests, bronchoscopies, and a number of other in-office diagnostics to develop personalized treatment plans. Dr. Tackey has extensive experience using the latest technologies to achieve the best outcomes for each of his patients.

Michael Renfrow, MD, FACS, brings more than 17 years of experience in general surgery to South Florida Surgical Group in Miami, Florida, serving men, women, and teens throughout Miami-Dade County.

Dr. Michael Renfrow is a board certified general surgeon, with fellowship specialization in minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery.

He currently serves as the Chief of General Surgery, at Baptist Hospital, in Miami, Florida. He has extensive experience in surgical procedures involving the both benign and malignant disease of the stomach, esophagus, colon, gallbladder, breast, soft tissue and skin tumors, as well as complex abdominal reconstruction and hernia repair.  

Dr. Renfrow graduated, with honors, from the University of Florida. He earned his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine, where he was awarded the prestigious John Foman Award for most outstanding performance in surgery.  He subsequently completed a general surgery residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital / University of Miami where he was selected as chief resident. Following residency, he pursued further specialized fellowship training, in minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery in San Antonio, Texas, under the mentorship of Dr. Morris Franklin, professor emeritus at UT San Antonio.  Once he completed this specialized training, he returned to Miami, and has been serving the residents of Miami-Dade County, in his practice at South Florida Surgical Group, located at the Baptist Hospital Medical Arts Building at Baptist Hospital.

Dr. Renfrow is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.  He has presented at numerous academic conferences and symposiums throughout the country.  He has served as a consultant for Intuitive Surgical Inc., where he has proctored surgeons that were in the process of learning robotic surgery. He also volunteers his time at the University of Miami, training and proctoring surgical residents in robotic procedures.

Dr. Renfrow is married with three beautiful daughters. He enjoys spending time with his family, and coaching his daughter’s basketball, volleyball, and soccer teams. 

Saluja Varghese, MD, RVT, RPVI, is a board certified vein and vascular specialist at Goldman Vein Institute, which has two locations in Jupiter and Wellington, Florida. Since 2011, Dr. Varghese has been a full-time specialist in phlebology at the practice. 

Dr. Varghese received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University in 1994 and then completed her medical studies at Ross University of Medicine, receiving her Doctor of Medicine in 1999.

Upon graduation from medical school, Dr. Varghese attended Loyola University/West Suburban Medical Center for her internal medicine residency, which she completed in 2002. In 2003, Dr. Varghese received and has continued to maintain her board certification in internal medicine. Dr. Varghese is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and maintains full staff privileges at both Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens Medical Centers. She is also a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT).

Dr. Varghese demonstrates expertise and commitment to treating venous disorders, such as spider veins, varicose veins, venous stasis ulcers, and deep venous thrombosis. Dr. Varghese offers a variety of comprehensive non-surgical, highly effective methods for treating these conditions, including endovenous ablation techniques and sclerotherapy.

At the Goldman Vein Institute, Dr. Varghese exclusively provides effective, minimally invasive, state-of-the-art treatments for venous ablation, such as ultrasound foamed and visually guided sclerotherapy, as well as endovenous laser thermal-ablation. Dr. Varghese prides herself on providing her patients with both compassionate, thorough, and expert care.

Dr. Varghese and her staff maintain the highest credentials, treatment modalities, and patient care standards at the Goldman Vein Institute, by staying abreast of the latest developments in phlebology.

Are you ready to get back on your feet and experience life free of varicose and spider veins? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Goldman or Dr. Varghese of the Goldman Vein Institute today! Simply call the office or book an appointment online.

Leon Poveda, MD, is a board-certified family physician at Grace Family Medicine Direct Primary Care of Wellington in Wellington, Florida. He graduated from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua at León. He completed his residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. 

As a family physician, Dr. Poveda focuses on care for the whole body, whether acute and in need of urgent care or chronic. He delivers numerous medical treatments for patients of all ages, and his expertise includes treating specific issues, such as chronic disease, sports injuries, mental health conditions, and weight loss. He also provides routine check-ups to help patients create a healthy plan for preventing illnesses as they age.

At Grace Family Medicine Direct Primary Care of Wellington, Dr. Poveda offers direct primary care, which is a plan specifically geared toward meeting every health care need a patient may have, both physically and mentally, at an affordable price. Becoming a member of the practice through a monthly subscription gives the patient quick appointment scheduling, unlimited and untimed visits, wholesale pricing for prescriptions, and direct access to Dr. Poveda. Overall, he treats the patients’ needs and desires with over-the-top care that makes them feel well cared for, important, and like family.

Dr. Poveda welcomes patients to Grace Family Medicine Direct Primary Care of Wellington and looks forward to establishing a relationship that helps him treat and meet their health care needs. 

Dr. Jaso is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and General Surgery, with over 50 years’ experience in Private Practice, Military Service, Trauma and Emergency Medicine, surgical weight loss management, and other metabolic disorders.  His dedication to public service is unparalleled, from serving as a flight surgeon in the United States Army supporting the Presidential Flight Detachment to being deployed to North Africa in support of special operations, and proudly serving as an in-theater combat surgeon in Iraq. He has been sought after to teach and train medical professionals domestically and internationally. Dr. Jaso is proud to be a principal partner in Precision Medical. 

Suneet Kukreja, MD, is a board-certified specialist in cardiovascular disease. He currently diagnoses and treats patients at the Advanced Cardiovascular Consultants location in West Palm Beach. With over 30 years of experience, he can provide advanced, individualized care for patients at any level of heart health.

Dr. Kukreja attended medical school at Government Medical College in Amritsar, Punjab, India. He completed his fellowship training through Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, before completing an internship in internal medicine at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. He completed a second internship and his residency through Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. Finally, he completed a fellowship in clinical cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida. 

Today, Dr. Kukreja uses his skills to treat various forms of heart disease and vascular complications at Advanced Cardiovascular Consultants. He uses advanced testing strategies like echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, stress tests, and cardiac catheterization to gain valuable information to help guide treatment. He performs both surgical and nonsurgical treatments for cardiovascular conditions and follows up with each of his patients as needed.

Patients appreciate Dr. Kukreja’s keen ability to communicate with them about their health and transform that information into long-term lifestyle changes. He takes the time to answer all of their questions about their health and the treatments he recommends.

Dr. Denise Dvorquez earned her medical degree from the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil in Ecuador in 2007. She began her medical career as a primary care physician in the Galápagos Islands, where she served the local community for one year. Driven by a passion for public health, she was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship and completed a master's degree in public health at Johns Hopkins University.

Following her graduate studies, Dr. Dvorquez returned to Ecuador to teach at her alma mater before relocating to the United States to pursue her residency in Internal Medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami. She is board certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine and also holds certification from the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

Dr. Dvorquez has since practiced primary care in both Washington State and California, with a strong commitment to preventive care and chronic disease management. Outside of medicine, she enjoys the ocean, outdoor adventures, and camping. She values quality time with her son and loves playing soccer with him. Dr. Dvorquez is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Dr. Stephanie Coriolan is a board-certified physician specializing in Internal Medicine, dedicated to providing compassionate, efficient, and patient-centered care. She earned her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and completed her residency training in Internal Medicine at the University of Miami/Holy Cross program in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Prior to joining AssociatesMD, Dr. Coriolan practiced primary care, where she managed a wide range of chronic and acute conditions. In addition to comprehensive primary care, she regularly evaluated walk-in patients and treated various urgent issues in-office, including dehydration, respiratory and urinary infections, skin infections, minor burns, heart failure exacerbations, and lacerations.

Dr. Coriolan’s approach to medicine is deeply influenced by her upbringing. Raised in Haiti by two physician parents, she developed an early appreciation for compassionate care and the importance of serving her community. She is committed to taking the time to listen to her patients and tailoring treatment plans to meet their individual needs, ensuring they feel informed, supported, and confident in their care.

She is fluent in French and Haitian Creole and has intermediate proficiency in Spanish, allowing her to connect with and care for a diverse patient population.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Coriolan enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and maintaining an active lifestyle through Pilates.

Juan M. Escobar, MD, MPH, has over 27 years of experience in practicing cardiology. He is proud to bring his extensive experience to the team at AssociatesMD, where he sees patients from the office locations in Plantation and Weston, Florida. 

Dr. Escobar earned his medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He completed his internal medicine residency and fellowship at the same institution. Dr. Escobar achieved his board certification in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases and entry to the American College of Cardiology as a Fellow. 

Following his training, Dr. Escobar began his medical career in Dallas, where he initially worked as an Instructor of Medicine and later as an attending physician at Baylor Hospital. 

For five years, he was part of the Congestive Heart Failure and transplant service providing care to hospital patients and outpatients. He then moved to El Paso, Texas, where he practiced non-interventional cardiology for 20 years providing medical services in a medically underserved community. 

In 2019, Dr. Escobar began a personal goal of obtaining a Master of Public Health online at George Washington University with an emphasis on global health, a program he graduated from in August 2021. In 2022, he began a sabbatical year to allow time for volunteer work. 

For two months, he worked at the World Medical Missions in Kenya at the Tenwek Hospital and traveled to his native Colombia. Before joining AssociatesMD in July 2023, he worked for three months in a temporary capacity at Valley Verde Medical Center in Cottonwood, Arizona.

Dr. Escobar's background in various medical settings allows him to bring a unique perspective to the team at AssociatesMD, where he treats patients with all types of acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases. 

He has a special interest and expertise in the management of chronic heart failure. He believes in actively involving the patient and their family in the treatment of chronic heart disease, using education and counseling to bring about the best possible outcome. He makes a point to consider the complexity of the medicines and dietary changes necessary to achieve that goal.

A passionate learner and traveler, Dr. Escobar is keenly interested in learning and understanding different cultures and languages. He speaks Spanish fluently and has an advanced knowledge of French and some Italian. Lately, he has been focusing on learning a few phrases and words in Swahili. 

Outside of work, Dr. Escobar enjoys outdoor sports like running, cycling, and hiking and water sports like swimming, scuba, and sailing. He believes in setting a good example to his patients on the benefits of physical exercise in being instrumental to good overall health.

Languages Spoken:  English, Spanish, French, Italian  

Andrea J. Ramsay, MD, is a skilled primary care physician serving patients from the Plantation, Florida, office of AssociatesMD. 

Dr. Ramsay always had a dream and desire to become a special kind of doctor. Growing up in Miami, Florida, she attended the University of Florida and St. George’s University School of Medicine to begin a lifelong journey and dedication to the medical profession.

As Dr. Ramsay decided on her specialty, she pursued training in Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Trauma, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Plastic Surgery, and then Family Medicine – Family Medicine became her true calling because she could do a little bit of everything.

After spending a year in Buffalo, New York, for a Family Medicine Internship, she returned home to complete her residency at the University of Miami. The Jackson Memorial Hospital experience allowed her to speak medical Spanish fluently. 

Since 2015, Dr. Ramsay has been with AssociatesMD. She has long-term patients who have followed her from the Pembroke Pines office because they feel she has saved and improved their lives in a significant manner and is compassionate in her care. Her patients feel safe and comfortable and appreciate her experience in knowing what works best and shifting when a new approach is necessary. It is a partnership where both parties are involved in caring/healing because neither can happen independently.

Dr. Andrea J. Ramsay is board certified in Family Medicine and has over 25 years of experience. She continues training in Integrative Medicine, including Ayurvedic Medicine, supplements, and herbal medicine, and supports healing in mental health/cognitive behavioral therapy.

#1.: Golden Rule. “Treat the patient like you want to be treated and treat them like they are family.”
#2. Live a Healthy and Spiritual Life. Don’t just talk the talk but walk the walk.
#3. Keep it simple. “Medicine and Insurance companies can get very complicated. It is my job to be a wise filter. I am here to understand, help diagnose, and treat and provide the best quality care for each and every patient.”

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Amanda Berg, MD, is a skilled, board-certified internist at AssociatesMD in Plantation, Florida.

Originally from Michigan, Dr. Berg completed medical school in Detroit at Wayne State University, then moved to New Orleans for her intern year at Tulane. After Hurricane Katrina, she returned to Detroit and finished her residency training at the Detroit Medical Center. Following her training, she followed the rest of her family to Florida for the sun and warm weather.

Dr. Berg is passionate about metabolic syndrome, including elevated cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension, often working closely with patients on diet and nutrition to help improve these medical conditions. She has been practicing medicine for over 10 years and feels comfortable treating many medical problems. She will go out of her way to ensure her patients always get 100% of her attention, and she treats every patient like family.

Dr. Berg lives with her three sons and husband. When not at work, you can find her traveling, exercising, and chasing her kids around.

Dr. Maria R. Cortti Ferrari was born in Asunción, Paraguay, and earned her medical degree from the Universidad Nacional de Asunción, completing six years of rigorous training. Her clinical education included rotations at top institutions such as Hospital de Clínicas, Sanatorio Migone, Centro Médico La Costa, and the Centro del Quemado (Burn Center), where she gained valuable experience in both general and specialized care.

In 2005, Dr. Cortti Ferrari moved to the United States, where she later began her U.S.-based medical training. In 2012, she completed a Transitional Year Residency at Sinai Grace Hospital in Michigan, followed by an Internal Medicine Residency from 2014 to 2017. She went on to complete a Nephrology Fellowship at Ascension St. John Hospital in Michigan in 2018.

After finishing her fellowship, Dr. Cortti Ferrari and her family relocated to Florida in 2019, where she initially practiced as a nephrologist. Over time, she recognized the value of integrating her nephrology expertise into a broader scope of care and transitioned to primary care in 2021. Since then, she has been serving her community as a Primary Care Physician, offering comprehensive care with a deep understanding of complex chronic conditions.

Dr. Cortti Ferrari is married to Tadeo, also from Paraguay, and they are proud parents to Enzo (16), Celina (10), and their beloved dog Tito (4). In her free time, she enjoys running, playing the guitar, and being her children’s biggest fan at soccer matches and gymnastics competitions. She is passionate about building long-term relationships with her patients and helping them lead healthier lives through preventive care and compassionate support.

Languages Spoken:  English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian