Farhana Yaqoob Khan, MD

Dr. Farhana Yaqoob Khan achieved her MBBS (Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Medicine) from Fatima Jinnah Medical University, renowned for its commitment to empowering women in healthcare. Growing up in communities where women’s rights were limited, she was determined to defy norms. Dr. Yaqoob Khan upbringing in underprivileged communities drove her to prioritize equal healthcare for all. She works closely with underserved populations, promoting preventive health and fostering connections. This led her to specialize in family medicine, aiming to nurture both physical and emotional well-being.

Born in Pakistan, Dr. Yaqoob Khan enjoys baking cakes. She also channels her creativity into arts and crafts, indulging in hand embroideries, embellishments, and interior designing. These passions reflect her holistic approach to life, mirroring her commitment to bridging healthcare disparities in marginalized communities. Through her resilience and dedication, she serves as an inspiration to countless young girls, empowering them to pursue their dreams with dignity and determination.

Merin Abraham, MD

Dr. Merin Abraham attended medical school at Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India. She chose to pursue family medicine to help people of all ages with different ailments. Dr. Abraham believes that family medicine offers the opportunity to look after a patient’s holistic health. She is passionate about serving people who cannot afford treatment and giving them hope for a longer healthier life. Dr. Abraham aims to achieve that goal throughout her residency at Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) and in her future practice.

Joseph Mitchnaider, MD

Dr. Joseph Mitchnaider completed medical school at the Université Notre Dame d’Haiti and three years of family medicine training before moving to Miami. He had an early interest in family medicine during medical school by volunteering as a medical assistant and interpreter in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 2010. While he contributed care of the physically and psychologically wounded people, he was attracted to a specialty, unknowingly to him at the time, that would fit his vision of providing care to people of different ages and backgrounds.

Dr. Mitchnaider pursued family medicine for the opportunity to advocate for patients and the ability to create long-term connections with them. His specialty interest includes geriatrics and palliative care medicine. He also sees himself teaching the next generation of family physicians in the future.

During his free time, Dr. Mitchnaider enjoys novels, hiking with friends and family, and playing board games.

Franchezca Theis Higuera, MD

Dr. Franchezca Theis Higuera completed medical school at the Universidad Nacional Experimental Francisco de Miranda in Venezuela. She has a passion for community work, and it is where she discovered the wonderful impact of primary care medicine. She witnessed firsthand how the lack of health education and access to care can deeply affect patients’ health and quality of life. As a result, she is dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and entire communities to take control of their well-being. Dr. Theis Higuera believes family medicine is the path to achieving this goal.

As a physician, she is committed to building trusting relationships, guiding patients through the complexities of the healthcare system, and treating individuals and their families comprehensively. Dr. Theis Higuera’s goal is to address health disparities in communities and ensure healthcare access for everyone.

Sulma Moredo Loo, MD

Dr. Sulma Moredo Loo attended Miami Dade College and Florida International University for her undergraduate degree and Nova Southeastern University for medical school. Dr. Moredo Loo decided to pursue family medicine because she has always been interested in different areas such as pediatrics, women’s health, mental health, and procedures; all of which I found in Family Medicine. In addition, I like listening to patients and educating them about their medical conditions.

Originally from the island nation of Cuba, Dr. Moredo Loo moved to the United States when she was 15 years old.

Cheryl Holder, MD

Dr. Cheryl L. Holder is a family medicine physician at the Doris Ison Health Center and a Core Faculty member of The Brodes H. Hartley Teaching Health Center.

Dr. Holder is a graduate of Princeton University and George Washington University School of Medicine. She is also is a National Health Service Corp Scholar, Internist, and HIV Specialist. She previously served as Medical Director at a local community health center in Miami. Additionally, Dr. Holder is a member of the National Institutes of Health and Center for Disease Control and Prevention review panels. She has dedicated her career to improving health of underserved populations.

In 2009, she joined Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine’ faculty, where she taught about the social determinants of health, diversity, and the health impact of climate change. She also was the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity and Community Initiatives.

Dr. Holder’s leadership roles include organizations such as president of Florida State Medical Association, Founder and Co-Chair of Florida Clinicians for Climate Action and Co-chair of Miami Dade Heat Health Task Force. In spare time, she holds a strong passion for addressing climate change and delivered a TED Talk titled “The Link Between Climate Change, Health and Poverty” that gained more than 300,000 views.

Carol Williams, MD

Dr. Carol Williams attended the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus in Jamaica, where she obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) degree. She began her medical career by working in primary care, serving rural and urban communities throughout Jamaica.

She is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, and recently immigrated to South Florida amidst the pandemic to further her medical career.

Dr. Williams’ passion for family medicine stems from her love of building long-lasting relationships with her patients and the diverse range of medical challenges that the field presents. Her desire to become a physician was sparked by her aunt, Dr. Bryan, who served as a role model and inspired her to make a direct positive impact on people’s lives with a compassionate, non-judgmental approach.

When she’s not practicing medicine, Dr. Williams enjoys spending time with her family, practicing indoor cycling and yoga, volunteering, and indulging her creative side with fashion and pottery.

Kerling Israel, MD

Dr. Kerling Israel earned her medical degree at Universite d’Etat d’Haiti. She worked mostly in rural Haiti before she moved to the United States. She is passionate about providing comprehensive care for her patients and values each interaction that she has with them. She believes that family medicine will allow her to best serve individuals and families in underserved communities where she wants to practice.

She enjoys reading, meditation, outdoor activities and spending time with her family and friends. She speaks English, Haitian Creole and French.

Anaise E. Pierre, MD

Dr. Anaise E. Pierre completed her medical degree at the Université Notre Dame D’Haiti. She chose a career in family medicine because of the diversity within the specialty and the opportunity for building relationships with the patients.

She understands how much it takes for someone to put their trust in her to provide care and considers it an honor that she will value throughout her medical career.

Dr. Pierre was born in the United States but moved to Haiti where she was raised. Her hobbies include dancing, playing the violin and swimming. She speaks English, Haitian Creole and French.

Tamara Wright, MD

Dr. Tamara Wright, who joined CHI in January 2017, is a family medicine physician at Martin Luther King Jr. Clinica Campesina Health Center. She is also the Associate Program Director in the Family Practice Program of the Brodes H. Hartley Jr. Teaching Health Center at CHI.

She was inspired to enter the medical field by her mother’s passion and dedication as a registered nurse. Her younger brother, also inspired by their mother, became a physician.

In 1990, Dr. Wright graduated from Lugansk Medical Institute in Lugansk, Ukraine, where she was born and raised. For several years, she practiced as a cardiologist in the Acute Cardiac Unit at the First Hospital in Lugansk.

Dr. Wright moved to the United States and started her journey to practice medicine in a new country. She completed her residency at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, Georgia, in 2006. Dr. Wright is board certified in Family Medicine and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She enjoys reading, traveling, music and most of all, spending time with her family.