Yeily Hernandez Mato, MD

Dr. Yeily Hernandez Mato is a first-generation immigrant from Cuba and has enjoyed calling Miami her home for many years now. The difficulties she overcame during her childhood drove her to pursue a career in medicine and to work with at-risk communities.

She received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Florida International University. She attended St. George’s Medical School and was awarded the distinction of joining the Gold Humanism Honor Society for the impact she made in the local community.

Dr. Hernandez values the relationships she creates with patients. This led her to pursue a Family Medicine Residency. She is excited to join the CHI family and continue serving her home community. In the future, she is interested in pursuing a fellowship in wound care/hyperbaric medicine and geriatric medicine.

Dr. Hernandez’s pursuit of giving back to underserved communities has led her humanitarian efforts around the world. She has spent time learning and giving back to diverse communities, including in Grenada, Ghana and India. During medical school in Grenada she grew her passion for hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its impact on wound care. In Thailand, she learned alternative medicine techniques used to alleviate muscular and skeletal conditions and gained a new appreciation for cultural inclusion medicine. Her diverse experiences abroad and at home are incorporated into her medical practice to provide patients with compassionate, personalized care.

Aside from her passion for medicine, she is a lover of salsa dancing with her father, traveling and history. Dr. Hernandez believes in being accessible to people, and enjoys experiencing new cultures, foods and customs. Just as she believes in making the most of every day, she looks forward to providing patients with a positive and individualized experience of medicine that will help her patients live a healthier life.

Omoyeme Edaki, MD

Dr. Omoyeme Edaki attended medical school in St. Lucia and earned a master’s degree in clinical research administration from Walden University.

After graduating she worked as a clinical research coordinator in Dallas, Texas.

Born and raised in Nigeria, her interest in the field of psychiatry began at the age of eleven after witnessing a peer suffer from a mental health crisis.

She hopes to explore neuropsychiatry research in her future practices.

“I am passionate about helping the uninsured and underserved communities, especially those struggling with mental health,” She said.

When she is not practicing psychiatry, she enjoys writing, cooking, and running. Blessed with a loving husband and four adorable children, she cherishes time spent with them.

Dr. Edaki desires to leave a positive impact on the lives of others through her service as a psychiatrist.

Richard-Alexander D’Arbelles, MD

Dr. Richard-Alexander D’Arbelles, originally from Miami, completed his undergraduate degree in Marine Biology at Florida International University. He received his medical degree from St. George’s University.

Dr. D’Arbelles is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to him.

“I want to inspire the next generation of physicians to do the same,” Dr. D’Arbellas said.

Tajudeen O. Basiru, MD

Dr. Tajudeen Basiru obtained his medical degree from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. While studying there, he developed a keen interest in mental health. He worked with various non-profit organizations during this time where he helped to enhance access to healthcare among different underserved populations.

Born in the ancient city of Owo, Southwest Nigeria, Dr. Basiru relocated to the United States to pursue a graduate medical education.
Dr. Basiru is excited to continue caring for the underserved at CHI.
In his spare time, Dr. Basiru enjoys hiking, cycling, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Ashleigh E. Russell-Smith, APRN

Ashleigh Russell-Smith is a Behavioral Health APRN at CHI’s Doris Ison Health Center. Employed with CHI since 2019, she obtained a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Master’s Degree from Florida International University in 2021. She also has a BSN from Nova Southeastern and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of West Florida.

Russell-Smith has diverse experience practicing in ER and ICU settings at Jackson Memorial Hospital. She previously worked at Henderson Behavioral Health as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Russell-Smith is passionate about serving the South Florida community and strives to make a positive impact on her patients’ lives.

Her hobbies include gardening, reading, coffee and church.

Rubis D. Vergara Ramirez, APRN

Rubis Vergara Ramirez is an APRN at Community Health of South Florida’s, Inc. (CHI) South Miami Health Center. Vergara Ramirez obtained a master’s degree in 2016 from the University of Miami. She is nationally certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

Vergara Ramirez enjoys working with the underserved population and has fun working with her patients. Her connection to the underserved began in her home country of Colombia where she provided care to underprivileged patients.

She has a strong devotion to the health of her patients and community. She carefully listens to the needs and complaints of her patients to help best address their concerns, while being cognizant of issues surrounding health disparities and education in underserved communities.

Vergara Ramirez is an avid dog-lover, and soap opera aficionado. In her spare time, she enjoys family trips to Disney World and visiting her family in Colombia. At heart, Vergara believes she is a lifelong student, she enjoys readings of novel practices in hopes that she can better serve her patients and community. On the weekends, she enjoys finding new recipes and attends regular Sunday service.

Gloria M. Gonzalez, APRN

Gloria M. Gonzalez is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with over 25 years of experience in the medical field. She earned her General Medicine degree in 1989 and went on to complete her BSN/RN at Sacred Heart University in Puerto Rico in 2014. In 2018, she received her Master of Science in Nursing, specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN/FNP-BC), from Turabo University.

Gonzalez is nationally certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by both the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Prior to moving to the United States in 2004, she served as a primary care physician for 14 years at a community health center in her hometown of Havana, Cuba.

In 2020, she joined CHI as a dedicated primary care provider. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. Her favorite pastimes include traveling and relaxing by the beach.

Patricia Philippe, APRN

Patricia Philippe, APRN, has worked at Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) since 2018.  She is also the Director of Education and Infection Prevention and Control. Board certified in Nursing and Infection Control, she has over 15 years of experience in preventative care. Philippe has experience in infectious diseases, research and promoting community participation in health-related issues.

Philippe obtained her master’s degree from the University of Montreal in Community Health with a concentration in Community Dental Health and Preventative Dentistry in 1997. In 2004, Philippe completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and was licensed to be an APRN in 2021. She also obtained a graduate certification in Community Health with an emphasis on Epidemiology and Anthropology in 1995.  

Before working as a nurse, she had several years of experience working as a dental hygienist in Montreal, Canada and Miami, Florida. 

Born in the island nation of Haiti, Philippe has devoted her professional journey to both research and providing exceptional care to her patients. She takes great pride in her efforts to make a positive impact in the South Florida community. 

Lilian Vazquez Prado, RDH

Lilian Vazquez Prado, RDH, has worked at Community Health of South Florida’s, Inc. (CHI) Marathon Health Center since 2018. She graduated dental school in 2013 and obtained her dental hygienist license in 2022.

Vazquez Prado was born and raised in Cuba and moved to the United States in 2016. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Maxwell Cardenas, DDS

Dr. Maxwell Cardenas, DDS, is a dentist at Community Health of South Florida’s, Inc. (CHI) Doris Ison Health Center. He received his dental degree as a dental surgeon in 2011. After completing his initial education, Dr. Cardenas pursued further training and completed a residency at the Florida Institute for Advance Dental Education in 2021.

Born in Nicaragua, Dr. Cardenas moved to the U.S. with his father and brother when he was six years old. He was raised in Miami and attended college at Florida International University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology. His love for dentistry was inspired by his father who was also a dentist. After college, Dr. Cardenas returned to Nicaragua for five years to attend dental school. He has a passion for helping others pursue their dreams of a dental career.

Dr. Cardenas hobbies and special interests include basketball, relaxing at the beach and working out.