Faculty

Oriana Mazorra Damas, M.D.

Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine , Digestive Health and Liver Diseases
Clinical Profile
Biography: Oriana Damas, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Director of Translational and Research, Crohn’s and Colitis Center. Oriana M. Damas, MD, MSCTI, is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She also serves as the Director of Translational Studies for the...
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Amar R. Deshpande, M.D.

Professor of Clinical Medicine
Clinical Profile | Publications
Biography: Dr. Amar R. Deshpande is Professor of Medicine in the Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases with a secondary appointment in the Department of Medical Education at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He completed his medical degree at the University of Miami School of Medicine and then stayed at the University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital...
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Stephanie Ioannou, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine

Biography: Dr. Ioannou received her medical degree, completed her internal medicine internship and residency and Gastroenterology Fellowship from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Hospital. She spent her last year of her Gastroenterology Fellowship focusing on Inflammatory Bowel Disease, seeing patients in a specialized clinic. Dr. Ioannou will...
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David Harris Kerman, M.D.

Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine
Clinical Profile
Biography: David H Kerman, MD, is an Associate Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston. His postdoctoral training includes an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Rush University in Chicago, IL, followed by a year as Chief Resident...
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Gabriella A. Raffa, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine

Biography: Dr. Gabriella Raffa earned her medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine residency and chief residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. She then moved to Nashville to complete her Gastroenterology fellowship at Vanderbilt University, where she also graduated with a Master's of Science...
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Bety De La Torre, APRN

Biography: Bety de la Torre, APRN is a highly accomplished and dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in nursing leadership, patient care, and clinical operations. She is currently serving as a Nurse Practitioner at the University of Miami’s Crohn’s and Colitis Center, where she provides comprehensive care for patients living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Her clinical expertise includes patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, medication management, and patient education, with a strong focus on collaborative care and long-term wellness. Her role as Nurse Manager at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Crohn’s and Colitis Center has further showcased her leadership abilities, as she has overseen clinical operations, supervised multidisciplinary teams, and implemented evidence-based practices to ensure high standards of care. Earlier in her career, Bety was a Registered Nurse Supervisor at Asthma and Allergy Associates of Florida, where she trained nursing staff, supervised clinical procedures, and managed operations across six clinics in Miami-Dade County. She is a bilingual healthcare professional (English/Spanish) and holds numerous certifications, including State of Florida ARNP and RN licenses, CPR, ACLS, ONS, IV, and PICC certifications. She has also served in multiple leadership roles, including Secretary of the Magnet Unit-Based Council and Co-Director for the “Ins and Outs of IBD” Conference. A recognized expert and contributor in the field of gastroenterology, Bety has co-authored several clinical research publications, including studies on antibody formation, vitamin protocols, and the role of diet in ulcerative colitis treatment outcomes. Her work has been featured in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH). She is also a member of The National Society of Leadership and Success, reflecting her ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and impactful patient care.

Susana Diaz, PharmD, BCPS

Clinical Pharmacist

Biography: Susana Diaz, PharmD, BCPS, is a clinical pharmacist at a Crohn’s and Colitis clinic specializing in pharmacotherapy management for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and completed a PGY-1 pharmacy residency at Baptist Hospital of Miami. She is a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and previously practiced for two years as a clinical pharmacist in the emergency department, where she developed extensive experience in acute care and complex medication management. Her professional interests include quality improvement initiatives, optimization of medication therapy, and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve patient outcomes. She pursued a career in pharmacy with a commitment to improving lives through safe, effective, and evidence-based medication use.

Adrian Estopinales, MSN, RN, AMB-BC, ONS/ONCC

Crohn's & Colitis Center Nurse Manager

Biography: Adrian Estopinales is the Nurse Manager of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center, bringing over eight years of nursing experience across emergency and ambulatory care settings. His clinical background includes three years in the emergency department and five years in ambulatory care, providing him with a strong foundation in both acute and chronic disease management. He also has four years of experience as a charge nurse, where he developed leadership skills focused on team coordination, patient flow, and clinical excellence. Adrian holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and is certified in Ambulatory Care Nursing (AMB-BC) and Oncology Nursing (ONS). As a nurse leader, he is committed to patient-centered care, staff development and engagement, and advancing quality, safety, and productivity through thoughtful process improvement. He values close collaboration with providers and interdisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality, coordinated care for patients with complex gastrointestinal conditions.

Ashley Nicole Horne, RN

Eytan Stern, RD, LD/N, CNSC

Biography: Eytan Stern is a registered dietitian with the University of Miami Crohn’s and Colitis Center. He is originally from New Jersey, where he completed his didactic program in dietetics at Montclair State University. He then completed both his dietetic internship and Master of Science degree at Mississippi State University before relocating to South Florida. Eytan, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2012, has first-hand knowledge of the impact dietary therapies can play in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. For the last 4 years Eytan has provided outpatient nutrition counseling for the Crohn’s and Colitis Center and recently transitioned into a research position supporting multiple dietary studies in the IBD population. He also completed the inaugural Cedar Sinai Advanced Dietary IBD Education and Training (DIET) Program: Beyond Malnutrition.

Floribeth Arrautt, MSW, LCSW

Biography: Floribeth Arrautt, MSW, LCSW, CPH is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist with 19 years of experience in mental health care. She earned her MSW from Florida International University in 2006 and has dedicated her career to providing evidence-based, compassionate care. Since 2018, Ms. Arrautt has served as the LCSW/Psychotherapist for the Digestive Health Department at the University of Miami Health System, working within an interdisciplinary team to support patients with complex gastrointestinal and hepatological conditions.

Her clinical work focuses on the psychosocial impact of chronic illness, including IBS, IBD, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, rectal cancer, ostomies, enteral feeding, and kidney transplantation. She also addresses co-occurring mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, chronic stress, sleep issues, and body image concerns.

Ms. Arrautt is committed to helping patients build resilience, improve quality of life, and navigate the intersection of medical and emotional healing. She is active in education and advocacy, presenting on topics such as the mind–gut connection, clinical hypnosis, mindfulness, and psychosocial support in chronic illness. Her work is grounded in ethical practice, cultural sensitivity, and a deep belief in the strength and resilience of individuals.