Roles
Associate Professor of Clinical
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Biography
As the youngest child of Cuban refugee parents who had come to America in 1961, I was the only one in my immediate family to be born in the United States. From an early age I developed a desire to become a doctor and knew I would want to continue to work in the community that raised me. I attended the University of Miami where I majored in Biopsychology, graduating in 3yrs then working in a cancer research lab before entering medical school. I attended Tulane School of Medicine and returned to Miami for a pediatric residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital. I served as Chief Resident and joined the faculty of Pediatrics in 1997. My role has always been in primary care pediatrics working mainly at the UHealth Pediatric practice on the medical campus where I also supervise the training of medical students and residents daily. In 2006 I was appointed medical director of the practice. Throughout I have been involved in research, teaching and community services involving children and families with a special interest in the Latino population of Miami Dade county. This year I celebrated 25 years on faculty at the "U". -
Education & Training
Education
Licensures and Certifications
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Honors & Awards
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Teaching Interests
For the past 25 years I have been involved in the teaching and training of medical students and residents in general pediatrics. From newborns to young adults we educate the next generation of physicians and pediatricians in well child care as well as management of chronic illness, developmental and behavioral concerns and acute illness. My particular interest has been in the education of both physicians and new parents on infant nutrition, with an emphasis on breastfeeding in particular. This has naturally transitioned to education on childhood healthy diets and obesity prevention across childhood. -
Research Interests
My early research interest centered on the education and support of breastfeeding families in East Little Havana. This interest in breastfeeding promotion led me to assist in the development of a pediatric resident breastfeeding curriculum nationally. The curriculum has improved the way pediatric residents in training at our institution, and across the country, promote and encourage families to breastfeed.
More recently, our practice group has been involved in several community based interventions to address the growing obesity epidemic in children. As an academic pediatric practice, we currently have ongoing research in Health literacy, adolescent risk behaviors, early childhood development and obesity prevention strategies. Our location in an urban, multiculturally and economically diverse community has informed the focus of our research goals. -
Publications
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Professional Activities
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