Faculty
The Larkin GME Faculty members shall demonstrate a strong interest in the education of residents, and must support the competency-based goals and objectives of the educational program of which they are a member.
Dr. Ivan Rodriguez, D.O., PhD.
Diplomate, American Osteopathic Board of Family Medicine
Director of Osteopathic Medical Education at Larkin Community Hospital
Education: University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelor Degree in Chemistry. After that, he studied in Michigan State University, where he successfully achieved a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry. After finishing his studies he registered in the University of Florida, Gainesville, with the purpose of improving his teaching and research activities.
The following years, he moved to Miami, Florida where he worked both as Chief of Chemistry and as a teacher. The next step in his career was in NOVA Southeastern University where he studied Osteopathic Medicine, obtaining the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. After graduation, he enrolled in a residency program of Family Medicine at Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, Florida. He is also the Medical Director of several Rehabilitation Centers in Miami, and Director of the Geriatrics unit at Palmetto General Hospital. Dr. Rodriguez has been involved notably in teaching medical students and residents; holding an excellent reputation as the Director of Medical Education for Osteopathic Medicine, as well as the Program Director for the Osteopathic Family Medicine Residency Program at Larkin Community Hospital in South Miami, Florida. Interests: Outside of medicine, Dr. Rodriguez enjoys spending time with his family and dedicating the week ends to all types of outdoor activities and fishing. In addition, he takes pleasure providing a charming care to his numerous pets. He loves art and music; probing his charisma and skills during his stupendous presentations as an advanced player of percussion instruments.
Marjorie Caro, M.D.Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, May 2004
Program Director, Psychiatry Residency Program
Education: Medical School: Universidad Del Este, Dominican Republic, 1995 -Residency Training: Psychiatry, Cooper Hospital, Camden, N.J, 1999-2003
Manuel Augusto Melendez, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Associate Program Director, Osteopathic Psychiatry Residency Program
Education: Medical School: San Marcos University, Lima, Peru, 1984-1993
Residency Training: Psychiatry, Cooper Hospital, Camden, New Jersey, 2000-2002
Dr. Manuel A. Melendez is a prominent psychiatrist in South Florida, holding an extensive medical career full of professional growth through his outstanding private medical practice, scholarly activities, and academic achievements. He studied sucessfully Psychiatry in the Cooper Hospital of New Jersey, after that, he enthusiastically worked as a psychiatrist in Atlantic-care Medical Atlantic City in New Jersey and in the state of Florida. He has Hospital Privileges mainly in South Florida, at Larkin Community Hospital, Coral Gables Hospital, West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital, Metropolitan Hospital, Westchester General Hospital, University of Miami Hospital, Bay-view Crisis Stabilization Unit. Dr. Melendez has had significant achievements during his professional trajectory; he had broadcasted a TV program in Univision Philadelphia about Depression Awareness in 2006. He also has a DATA waiver for treatment of opioid addiction and he is a candidate for ASAM certification. In addition, Dr. Melendez participated in a Visiting Fellowship at the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital on New York in 2009. Crisis Intervention: he is an Attending Psychiatrist providing urgent care to mentally ill patients, including acute intervention and involuntary commitment. Substance and Alcohol Abuse and outpatient care: Attending Psychiatrist providing substance and alcohol abuse care in acute and partial care programs. Furthermore, he has been an Attending Psychiatrist providing mental care in outpatient offices in New Jersey and South Florida. PACT (Psychiatrist Assertive Community Treatment): Attending Psychiatrist leader of team approach of severely and chronically mentally ill patients; managing a team of nurses, therapist, social workers and others. Academic Achievements: He is Professor of Psychiatry and Co-Program Director of the Psychiatry Residency Program at Larkin Community Hospital, Nova Southeastern University.
Manuel “Manny” Suarez, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine & Critical Care. FACCP Director of Pulmonary & ICU at Larkin Community Hospital. Chairman of Internal Medicine, ICU & Pulmonary at Larkin Community Hospital
Education: Dr. Manuel Suarez studied medicine in “Universidad Central del Este” in Dominican Republic. After graduating, he enrolled in a residency program of Internal Medicine at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, NJ.
The next step in his career was dedicated to train in fellowships of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Diseases in the University of Miami and in their affiliated hospitals, Jackson Memorial Hospital, the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Miami and Mount Sinai Medical Center, in Miami Beach. He brings with him certifications of the American Board of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine as well as certification in Age Management and Radiologic Technology. Dr. Suarez has been holding a phenomenal medical career for more than 25 years as a clinical scholar and physician-scientist. He is a good example of dedication and achievement as an investigator, educator, and clinician. He represents a model for medical students and residents as a successful US trained International Medical School Graduate. He has a fruitful private practice and excellent work as an attending physician of the Department of Internal Medicine and as the Chief of the Intensive Care Unit at Larkin Community Hospital. He has served in the Program Advisory Board and in the Dean of Clinical Sciences for Trinity School of Medicine. Larkin and affiliated medical schools are proud to have the privilege to offer our patients and learners the professional integrity, vast medical knowledge and experience of Dr. Suarez. In addition, he has been recognized by his outstanding work as medical educator at the University of Miami School of Medicine and Barry University School of Podiatry. Dr. Suarez has been the author of many significant publications to his credit in prestigious journals including JAMA, Chest, and Archives of Internal Medicine. He has been a leader accomplishing research and scholarly activity. Outside of medicine, Dr. Suárez enjoys spending time at home with his two wonderful daughters, getting involved in a superior education for them. He likes participating in social gathering and family celebrations. He loves music, the latest electronic technology, enjoys playing golf, amateur jai-a-lai and traveling.
Dr. Mario S. Cuervo, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Professor of Clinical Psychiatry
Chairman, Department of Psychiatry at LCH
Dr. Cuervo attended the University of Zaragoza, Spain for medical school, graduating in 1976. After that, he entered a Psychiatry Residency Program at the University of Miami in 1978 and was elected chief resident during his last year of training. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry. He is currently a top psychiatrist in his private practice in South Miami, Florida. Dr. Cuervo is a prominent Professor and Faculty of Psychiatry for medical students, interns and residents at Larkin Community Hospital. He has served as the Medical Director for the Department of Psychiatry in several psychiatric hospitals in Florida. He serves as Medical Director and Chief Principal Investigator for Acanthus-Research Group with seventeen years of scholarly activity experience. His outstanding work in clinical trials includes research in Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder and Depression.
Deborah Gracia, DO
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
Director, Internal Medicine Primary Care Track Program in partnership with Borinquen Health Center, Miami, FL
Chief Medical Officer, BORINQUEN Health Center
Education: Philadelphia COM – Internship: MOUNT SINAI MEDICAL CENTER, Miami Beach, FL
Residency Training: Internal Medicine at MOUNT SINAI MEDICAL CENTER, Miami Beach, FL
Dr. Gracia holds outstanding years of practice, and sufficient administrative, scholarly and academic experience; as well a suitable Continuing Medical Education trajectory. She has been the Chief Medical Director at Borinquen Health Center, Miami Beach Florida, a Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to serve multicultural, underserved and uninsured community in NW Miami Dade County. In this environment, she has been able to utilize not only her medical skills, but also her language skills. She fluently speaks and writes English, Haitian Creole, Spanish and French, has allowed her to communicate with the patients in their native language. Furthermore, from 2001 to 2005 she had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors of Borinquen Health Care Center, Inc. As a member of Borinquen Health Center Executive Committee, she had the opportunity to be exposed to an FQHC from both an administrative and a clinical perspective. Dr. Gracia is Assistant Professor of Medicine at FIU and Nova Southeastern University COM. She is the director of the LCH/NSU-COM Osteopathic Internal Medicine Residency Program that is currently functioning as a primary care or ambulatory track in partnership LCH/Borinquen Health Center. Dr. Gracia is actively involved in faculty professional development issues including presentations at local or national meetings, published articles, clinical and basic research and documentation of teaching or clinical excellence. She has demonstrated a genuine commitment for medical education through her innovative and effective clinical teaching performance. She encouragesthe trainees the passion to learn more and acquire life-long learning habits. Dr. Gracia is married and loves to share time with her family within a pleasant environment. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, exploring internet, waking, doing physical exercises, cooking healthy foods, listening music, dancing, attending social gathering, traveling, and other diverse activities that allow her a balance of her physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Joel Stein, DO
Higher Education Undergraduate:
Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, PA
Bachelor of Arts, 1978. Psychology and Bachelor of Arts, 1978. Fine Arts
Doctoral: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, Mo/Degree: Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.), 1983
Pre-doctoral Fellowship: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, Mo/Department of Anatomy, 1980-1983
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, Mo/Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, 1980-1983.
Postdoctoral Fellowship: F.A.A.O., Fellow of the American Academy of Osteopathy, 1998.
F.A.O.A.S.M., Fellow of the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine, l997.
F.A.C.O.F.P., Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, 2008
Board Certifications
AOBOMM: American Osteopathic Board of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, 1991; AOBFP: American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice, 1992 and CAQ Sports Medicine: American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine, Conjoint Board of Sports Medicine, 1995.
Postgraduate Training: Rotating Internship: Humana Hospital South Broward, Hollywood, Florida, 1983-1984
Competency Examinations
Sports Medicine: Competency Certification in Sports and Sports Medicine: CAQ Competency Certification in Sports Medicine, American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine, 1989; Orthopedic Medicine: Competency Examination, Orthopedic Medicine,; Orthopedic Medicine Society, London, 1993.; Acupuncture: Clinical Acupuncture, University of Miami, 1996.
National Board: Diplomat of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, 1983
Academic Appointments
Professor Emeritus: University of Miami School of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics ad Rehabilitation, Miami, Fl
Clinical Associate Professor: Nova Southeastern University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Davie, Fl.
Clinical Associate Professor: New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, N.Y.
Adjunct Clinical Professor: Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, Miami, Fl.
Bureau of Experts: American Academy of Osteopathy.
Board Examiner American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (AOBNMM)
Dr. Jorge Gonzalez, D.O.
Diplomate, American Board of Family Medicine
Education-School of Medicine: UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford.
Training: Jackson Memorial Hospital; University of Miami, Residency Family Medicine, 1984-1987
Memberships: American Osteopathic Association, Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, National Health Services Corp., American Academy of Family Physicians.
Clinical Experience: Family Practice Physician, private practice and Attending Physician at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida.
Affiliatons: Coral Gables Hospital, Larkin Community Hospital, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Pan-American Hospital, Miami, Florida.
Academic Appointments: Family Medicine Faculty, Clinical Assistant Professor, Larkin Community Hospital, Miami, FL. Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Miami, Florida Interests: Systematic learning and update of medical information through self study, Continuing Education Courses, professional meetings at regional, state, and national settings. He also has a special interest to expand his scholarly activities and academic achievements.
