I am a Cuban-American pediatrician with over 20 years of clinical experience in the care of children.
I completed my residency training program in Pediatrics at Jackson Memorial Hospital/Holtz Children’s Hospital and received my medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine.
I worked 8 years in community health providing care for patients with Medicaid or no insurance. The majority of these patients were newly arrived immigrants from Cuba or South American countries, with most of the patient population speaking only Spanish. In 2009 I transitioned to private practice and have been taking care of children (0-21 years of age) of all cultures in the South Florida area.
I have a special interest in the health and well being of children of all ages, as well as their parents. I believe that a healthy child needs a healthy mind and body and that both are equally important.
During the pandemic in 2020, I provided care for patients via a telemedicine platform for several months.
In 2018 I began writing a blog at www.drvcares.com to provide support to parents on their parenting journey. Unfortunately I have learned that many parents feel unsure about their parenting skills and my hope is that my blog will give them confidence and empower them. There is no better advocate for a child than their parent.
My goal is to create a community where parents do not feel alone on their parenting journey. Parenting is not about being perfect its about parenting with intention and purpose.💖
In 2021 I decided to become a certified health coach. Health coaching allows be to approach a patient differently than just as their doctor. Coaching gives me insight into how to help a patient learn to help themselves find the overall health and wellness that they desire, with them as the decision maker. It also helps me to better understand how to help guide parents on finding the right tools to keep their children physically and mentally healthy.
The combination of my medical degree and coaching certification allows me to approach overall wellness in a unique and comprehensive way. My heritage and my experience in a multicultural community such as South Florida has allowed me to grow as a person and as a pediatrician. I love being a pediatrician and patient (and parent) advocate.