Physician Update - Florida

Community Open House for Mayo Clinic's New Hospital

For more than 20 years, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville has provided specialized care to patients from around the globe. On April 12, we achieve another milestone — the opening of a new hospital, which completes the vision to provide world-class specialty care in one location. The 214-bed hospital features the latest medical and surgical technology, innovative operating suites, spacious rooms and an Emergency Department open to all.

Get a sneak peek at our Community Open House on Sunday, March 30, from 1 to 5 p.m.

New Bariatric Center Offers Weight Loss Support for Patients

Mayo Clinic's new Bariatric Center in Jacksonville, Fla., offers obese and overweight patients a comprehensive approach to weight loss and weight management. A team of specialists, including a bariatrician, registered dietitian, clinical psychologist, registered nurse and surgeon, work together to develop treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs. Medically supervised interventions include nutrition therapy, behavior modification, pharmacotherapy, liquid meal replacement and weight-loss surgery, including laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and revision surgeries.

New on Staff

Richard Agnew, M.D., has joined the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases from Jacksonville-based Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgical Associates. Dr. Agnew previously worked in Seattle following two residencies, in general surgery and thoracic surgery, at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. He earned his medical degree from Vanderbilt University Medical School in Nashville. Dr. Agnew is board certified in surgery and thoracic surgery.

Gretchen Ames, Ph.D., has joined the Department of Psychiatry & Psychology following a 14-month postdoctoral externship in Jacksonville. Previously, Ames served as a behavioral medicine therapist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. A board-certified psychologist, she earned her degree in clinical psychology from the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Cherise Cortese, M.D., Laboratory Medicine & Pathology

Scott Lynch, M.D., has joined the Division of General Surgery from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, where he was co-director of the Emory Bariatric Center. He also served as assistant professor for both the surgery department and the family and preventive medicine department. Dr. Lynch, who is board certified, received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia.

Chelsy Marty, M.D. , Dermatology

Rosa Rademakers, Ph.D., has joined the Department of Research, where she will work with the neuroscience team studying the genetics of neurodegenerative diseases. A native of the Netherlands, Dr. Rademakers earned her medical degree from the University of Antwerp, where she also worked in a molecular genetics laboratory before coming to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville as a visiting scientist.

David Shapiro, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology from the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, where he served as both a staff anesthesiologist and instructor in the registered nurse anesthetist program. Dr. Shapiro completed a surgical internship and an anesthesiology residency at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. He received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in Minneapolis. Dr. Shapiro is board certified in anesthesiology.

Jason Sluzevich, M.D. , Dermatology

Jeffrey Stone, M.D., has joined the Department of Radiology from the Medical College of Georgia where he served as section chief of the interventional neuroradiology department. Dr. Stone previously completed a fellowship in diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. He received his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, N.Y., and is board certified in diagnostic radiology and neuroradiology.

Kalpathi Venkatachalam, M.D., Cardiovascular Diseases

Joseph Whalen, M.D., Ph.D., Orthopedic Surgery

Mohamad Yamani, M.D., has joined the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio. Following several internal medicine residencies, he completed a cardiology fellowship at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a heart failure/transplantation fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Dr. Yamani earned his medical degree from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. He is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases.

Clinical Trials

Men with prostate cancer needed for quality-of-life study

Mayo Clinic is conducting a research study to improve the quality of life of men who have prostate cancer with rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. The goal of the study is to evaluate a new treatment program designed to help men with prostate cancer maximize their quality of life. The study includes a review of the latest medical treatments, a nutrition program, a fitness program to improve strength and vitality, stress management, strategies for creating a support system and tactics to help men reach their health goals. For more information, call Edgar Covil at (904) 953-2941.

CREST trial reaches milestone

The Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy vs. Stenting Trial (CREST) has enrolled more than 2,000 patients since it began in 2005. Investigators hope to enroll at least 2,500 before the study concludes. All three Mayo Clinic campuses, in Florida, Arizona and Minnesota, are involved in the study, as are more than 100 other medical centers.