Biographies
Dr. Erick Acosta Heredia
Dr. Erick Acosta Heredia completed his medical studies in Havana, Cuba, laying the foundation for his illustrious medical career. Proficient in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, he possesses a unique linguistic versatility that enhances his interactions with diverse patient populations.
Erick's life is a tapestry woven with a love for cultural exploration and dance, particularly Latin rhythms, which he joyfully shares with his wife. His soul resonates with Trova fusion music, finding exquisite delight in live concerts or intimate gatherings with loved ones. The true essence of fulfillment, for Dr. Acosta, lies in spending quality time with his cherished family and friends, whether engaged in conversation, savoring a meal, or simply basking in each other's presence.
Prior to embarking on his journey in psychiatry, Dr. Acosta served as a family medicine practitioner, specializing in Geriatric medicine, in Angola. His diverse experiences have enriched his medical expertise, making him a valuable asset to the field.
Dr. Claudia M. Alfonso
Claudia is Cuban born and was raised in South Florida since she was 11. She became a registered nurse in 2012 after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of South Florida and worked in behavioral health. She then furthered her career in the field to become a Psychiatrist and received her MD in 2021 from St. George’s in Grenada. “I have committed my professional life to caring for and treating mental illnesses … In my free time I like to spend time with my family and friends, puzzles, movies, travel, hiking, fitness, 5K for charity, boat rides, beach and dance. “ Claudia speaks English and Spanish.
Dr. Xenia Aponte
Dr. Xenia Aponte is a highly experienced Board-Certified Psychiatrist with over 35 years of practice. She obtained her Medical Degree from the University of Panama and completed her psychiatry training at the New York Psychiatric Institute at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center. Dr. Aponte furthered her education with a fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. For four years, she served as an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine before relocating to Miami.
In 1993, she embarked on her journey at the Adult Crisis Stabilization Unit within Citrus Health Network. Here, she led a diverse team, including medical students, psychologists, nurses, and social workers. Dr. Aponte worked in close collaboration with the legal system and homeless programs to provide comprehensive care to these populations. She currently holds the position of clinical director for the Citrus Assessment and Emergency Services (AES) department. Moreover, Dr. Aponte holds a Clinical Faculty appointment at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, specializing in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health.
In 2015, Dr. Aponte assumed the role of Associate Program Director, and in 2016, she was promoted to Program Director of the Psychiatry Residency Program at Citrus Health Network. As the Program Director, she is responsible for the overall management and operation of the program. Her duties encompass creating and maintaining a clinical learning environment conducive to resident education, covering the ACGME competency areas, ensuring compliance with program policies and procedures, and presenting posters and workshops at national meetings.
Throughout her career, Dr. Aponte has dedicated herself to the treatment of the Severely Mentally Ill population and underserved communities. She is a recognized expert in the treatment of Psychotic Disorders, Mood Disorders, Psychiatric Emergencies, and Panic Disorders, always following an evidence-based approach.
Scholarly Activity:
Moss, S., Salgado, C., Aponte, X., Zec, T. "SoMe" Rounds: Enhancing Resident Competencies in Web 2.0, Social Media, and Digital Technologies to Improve Psychiatry Education, Leadership, and Patient Care, 2020 AADPRT Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX, March 2020.
Medina, C., Salgado, C., Aponte, X., Bezos, E. "Creating a Culture of Wellness in the Clinical Learning Environment," 2019 AADPRT Annual Meeting Program Administrator Symposium, San Diego, CA, March 2019.
Quintana F, Aponte X, Guzman V, Gonzalez-Mayo A, Larrauri C, Foster A. Resolving the Puzzle of Psychiatric Readmissions: Variables Versus Predictors, American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, New York, NY, May 2018.
Alonso M, Jardon M, Pizarro M, Castellanos D, Aponte X, Esposito K, Foster A. (2017) The community value of academic psychiatry: the development of a psychiatry residency program in a federally qualified health center. Academic Psychiatry, accepted for publication.
Notable Contributions and Expertise:
Dr. Aponte was part of an Expert Panel Meeting in 2016 aimed at updating the Florida Best Practice Psychotherapeutic Medication Guidelines for Adults. She also presented her work on the impact of residents on workflow at the 2016 American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training Annual Meeting in Austin, TX. Moreover, she participated in a University of South Florida Psychiatry Expert Panel in September 2015.
Dr. Julissa Artiles
Julissa Artiles, Psy.D. is a Nova Southeastern University graduate, obtaining a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. She received training at Jackson Memorial Hospital in the Medical Psychology Consultation and Liaison track. During that time, Dr. Artiles provided psychological services to surgical, emergency room, oncology, trauma, and other medical units within the hospital. She acquired experience in conducting evaluations and interventions for pre-existing psychiatric issues, coping, chronic illness management issues, poor adherence to treatment, and establishing capacity to provide informed consent. Dr. Artiles is licensed in the state of Florida and is the primary care psychology services coordinator and consultant at Citrus Health Network, Inc. She provides trainings for primary care medical and support staff, psychology interns, psychology and psychiatric residents, conducts assessments, consultations, and brief interventions for psychological disorders and collaborates with medical staff to help patients improve self-management of chronic disease and overall quality of life.
Dr. Aramys Barzaga, MD
Dr. Barzaga is Psychiatrist at Citrus Health Network and Voluntary Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Since completion of his training, Dr. Barzaga’s practice has focused in providing care to children, adolescents and adults through his work with multiple agencies as a medical director, consultant, and psychiatric provider.
He has been especially involved in the care of children and served as Medical Director and Psychiatric Consultant at Charlee of Dade County. Additionally, he served as Medical Director of Psychiatry at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in affiliation with FIU Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health until his employment at Citrus Health Network.
Amongst Dr. Barzaga's past roles, stands his duties as a Voluntary Assistant Professor at the University of Miami while working as a Psychiatrist at the Student Counseling Center; and Consultant for Miami-Dade Public Schools EBD program.
Dr. Anne Beaulieu
Dr. Anne Beaulieu obtained her Bachelor of Science at McGill University and her medical degree from St. George’s University in 2022. Dr. Beaulieu was born in Montreal, Canada and currently resides in Miami. She speaks English and French. Her hobbies and interests include spending time with family, friends and her dog, Kora. She enjoys hiking, nature, and traveling around the world.
Dr. Noemi Bermudez
Dr. Bermudez was born in Milagro, Ecuador and she and her family immigrated to south Florida when she was five years old. She attended high school at McFatter Technical Center in Davie, Florida where she developed an interest in the medical field through training in optometric assisting. Dr. Bermudez attended Nova Southeastern University and graduated with a B.S. in Biology with minors in English and Leadership. She moved to Virginia for medical school where she attended Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Here, she became fascinated with psychiatry during clinical rotations and international mission trips. Dr. Bermudez is currently completing general psychiatry residency at Medical College of Georgia and has special interests in child and adolescent psychiatry, outreach, mentorship, and the integration of faith and psychiatry. Dr. Bermudez married during residency and now lives in Broward with her husband and son. “I'm very grateful and excited for the opportunity to return home to south Florida after these past 7 years of training!”
Dr. Carissa
Cabán-Alemán
Dr. Carissa Cabán-Alemán is Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health at the FIU College of Medicine. Her main research interests are social justice and structural competence in mental health, cultural humility, mindfulness, meditation, and climate health. She is a founding member of the Climate Psychiatry Alliance (CPA) and of CrearConSalud, Inc. (CCS), a non-profit organization devoted to mental health education, awareness and advocacy in Puerto Rico. She was a board member of the American Association of Community Psychiatry (AACP) and now represents it in the Social Climate Leadership Group, which informs the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. She has worked with disaster psychiatry initiatives since 2017 in Florida and Puerto Rico.
Dr. Thresia B. Gambon
Dr. Thresia B. Gambon was born and raised in New York. She attended Fordham University and the New York Medical College. For her residency in Pediatrics she chose to move to Florida and completed training in 1997 at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Women and Children. The next thirteen years she worked at the University of Miami/Jackson Health Systems as a Pediatrician and later Medical Director in Ambulatory Services. While at UM/JHS, she was involved in several roles: teaching pediatric residents, direct patient care, clinical research and administration. During her years there, she completed a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters in Public Health. Dr. Gambon became involved locally and served on the board of The Children’s Trust. Since 1999, she became involved in the American Academy of Pediatrics serving in different positions including as a current executive committee member of the Committee of Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. She was inducted as President of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2022. In 2010, Dr. Gambon began her employment at Citrus Health Network. There she cares for children from birth to 21 with a focus on children with behavioral and mental health issues. Her career interests include access to care and advocacy for children. She enjoys teaching and caring for her patients and their families.
Dr. Krystal Gonzalez
Dr. Krystal Gonzalez was born in Barranquilla, Colombia and raised in South Florida. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Miami, majoring in Neuroscience. Dr. Gonzalez obtained her medical degree from Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. Her interests and hobbies include working out, traveling, listening to audiobooks, podcasts, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Victor Guzman
Victor Guzman, MD is a part of our first class of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows. Dr Guzman received his medical doctor degree from the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña Escuela de Medicina in the Dominican Republic in 2007. He came to the US in 2007, initially worked as a phlebotomist, eventually becoming a manager for the American Red Cross Center based at Miami Children’s Hospital and later at Blood Centers of South Florida. In 2010, he has worked as a care manager in the emergency department and behavioral health unit at Mt Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach. He also worked as a care manager for Medica Health Plans, evaluating Skilled Nursing facilities. Dr Guzman completed clinical observerships in Florida, New Jersey, and Louisiana. Dr Guzman has a sport pilot’s license, and his hobbies include aviation and chess.
Dr. Elizabeth Hoy
Dr. Elizabeth Hoy is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. She completed her the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship as well as Psychiatry Residency training at Citrus Health Network and was part of inaugural class for both programs. She received her MD degree from Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, in 2014. Prior master’s degrees in pharmacology and Master of Science degree in Public Health. Dr. Hoy’s professional time is divided between medical education and clinical services. She is the current Director of Clinical Training for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Citrus Health Network.
Dr. Michael Inesta
Dr Michael Inesta is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Subspecialties in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He has been a Staff Psychiatrist for Citrus Health Network (CHN) since 2016 and also has served as Clinical Faculty for the Citrus Health Network/Florida International University (FIU) General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Training Programs. Dr Inesta is an Associate Professor at the FIU Herbert Wertheim School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. Since joining Citrus Health Network he has helped in the development of a First Episode of Psychosis specialty clinic and in collaboration with the FIU EMBRACE Program has collaborated in the development of the Citrus/FIU EMBRACE Medical Center which specializes in services to the neurodivergent population. He serves as a clinician for both programs as well. Dr. Inesta supervises general psychiatry residents and child and adolescent psychiatry fellows in the Outpatient and in the Assessment and Emergency Departments at CHN.
Dr. Raid Khereiddine
Dr. Raid Kheireddine, originally from Venezuela with Lebanese heritage, earned his degree from La Universidad del Zulia in December 2016. Following his graduation, he gained valuable experience as a General Practitioner in his home country, Venezuela.
In 2018, he made the significant decision to further his medical career by relocating to Miami, Florida, to prepare for his medical board examinations.
Raid is proficient in several languages, boasting fluency in both Spanish and English, along with a basic understanding of Arabic. His multilingual skills enable him to connect with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Outside his professional commitments, Raid is deeply interested in exploring and experiencing different cultures. He enjoys quality time spent with friends, going to the movie theater, and takes pleasure in tasting cuisine from various parts of the world.
Sports also hold a special place in Raid's heart, with a strong affinity for UFC, boxing, and soccer. His diverse interests contribute to his well-rounded perspective on life and culture.
Dr. Julio C. Machado Jr
Dr. Julio C. Machado Jr was born in Cuba and raised in Venezuela. He attended undergraduates at the University of Miami (1978-80)and Medical school at Instituto Tecnologicode Santo Domingo (Intec) Dominican Republic (1980-85). Training in General Psychiatry at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington DC from 1987-1990 and at Jackson Memorial Hospital for Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship from 1990-1992. For 17 years was in solo private practice in Miami. Dr Machado joined Citrus Health Inc. in 2001 and has seen the growth of Citrus over the years. He has been involved in most of the areas of service including coverage in Forensic psychiatry at TGK (2 years), Director of the Partial Hospitalization Programs, and at Citrus he is part of the Acute Care and Stabilization unit weekend coverage, worked in the Assessment Emergency Service, treating the homeless program, the residential programs at KIVA, ASTEC, Housing Act, Kolapi, CCST as well as the Navigate program for patients with new onset psychosis. He has been proudly a part of the Psychiatric Training Program at Citrus Health since its beginnings. Dr. Machado is board-certified in Psychiatry and Neurology, with over 30 years of experience in the field. He is an Associate Clinical Instructor at FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Citrus and a Faculty for the General Psychiatry Training Program for Citrus Health. Dr Machado most recently has become the Assistant Program Director for the Psychiatric Program.
Dr. Teofilo E. Matos Santana
Teofilo Matos Santana is a graduate from Universidad Ibearoamericana (UNIBE) in Dominican Republic. He joined Internal Medicine Residency Program at Yale-New Haven Hospital – Saint Raphael’s Campus and transitioned to the Psychiatry Residency Program at Yale University where he completed a specialized 4th year in Consultation and Liaison. Dr. Matos Santana did the Addiction Fellowship at Yale University the following year and became board-certified. He was recruited as a faculty at Yale Medical School, Department of Psychiatry where he initially led the HIV Clinic and was a member of the proactive and multidisciplinary Behavioral Intervention Team – a specialized Consultation and Liaison program. Dr. Matos Santana was promoted to Section Chief of Psychiatric Emergency Services while he participated in two leadership and management programs at the Yale School of Management. Dr. Matos Santana is excited to join Citrus Health Network in September 2023. He will be supervising residents in Assessment and Emergency Services, he will join the HOPE clinic – specialized program in substance use disorders, FACT team – Florida-based ACT team and he will also join outpatient services.
Dr. Angela Mooss
Dr. Angela Mooss joined the BSRI team in 2010 after relocating to Miami from Atlanta. She has been working in evaluation and research since 2003, with content area expertise across issues such as youth development, mental health, substance use, HIV/AIDS, and drug court models. Her work focuses on implementation science and barriers and facilitators to enhanced processes at the organizational and programmatic level. She has conducted strategic planning, needs assessments, research studies, and applied program evaluations in Florida and throughout the United States. Angela has a deep understanding of healthcare systems, federal and local funding structures, and how human behavior fluctuates as a result of systemic influences and oppressors. As Executive Director, she provides leadership and mentorship coaching, targeted support across projects and initiatives, oversees business development, and works closely with the team on mixed method research and evaluation methodologies. Angela thrives on relational aspects of her work and prioritizes time spent within her “geographic” and “evaluation” communities. She serves on Miami-Dade HIV/AIDS Partnership Committees and is a grant reviewer for HRSA, SAMHSA, and the Miami Foundation. She also serves as a peer reviewer for several academic journals. When not working, you can find her cuddling with her dog, sampling local restaurants in Miami (favoring Miami Beach) and globe-trotting with her husband.
Dr. Sam S. Moss
Dr. Sam S. Moss is a Board-Certified psychiatrist with specialization in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. He completed his early education in Montreal, Canada, graduating with degrees in molecular biology and political science. He obtained his MD from St. George University School of Medicine before completing his psychiatric intern year at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai at Elmhurst Hospital in New York, where he was awarded the hospital’s Patient Choice award for outstanding patient care. He completed the remainder of his residency and fellowship training in Miami, FL at Citrus Health Network-Florida International University, where he served as the Chief Fellow and was awarded Fellow of the Year and Fellow Teacher of the Year in consecutive years. Dr. Moss has been involved in several research projects throughout the course of his career and presented nationally at the American Psychiatric Association, The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Training and the Society for Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Moss’ interests include novel treatments of eating disorders, high risk adolescent mental health and use of technology to bridge the gap in mental health care. Dr. Moss is fluent in English, French, Farsi and basic Spanish.
Dr. Mariestrella Morffi-Pla
Dr. Mariestrella Morffi-Pla embarked on her medical journey in Havana, Cuba, where she completed her medical studies. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Morffi possesses a linguistic versatility that enhances her communication with diverse patient populations.
Her interests and hobbies paint a vibrant picture of her multifaceted personality. Dr. Morffi is an avid reader of medical literature, constantly expanding her knowledge base. She finds joy in exploring new destinations, attending captivating theatrical performances, basking in the sun at the beach, and cherishing quality moments with her family.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Psychiatry Residency Program, Dr. Mariestrella Morffi-Pla achieved the remarkable distinction of being elected Psychiatry Resident of the Year for the academic years 2021-2022, a testament to her dedication and excellence as recognized by her peers.
Dr. Javier F. Morales
Javier F. Morales, MD was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He received his Bachelor of Science in Cell/Molecular Biology and his medical degree from the University of Puerto. Javier’s interests and hobbies include music, literature, research, cooking, Jiu Jitsu, and languages. “I enjoy playing recreational tennis and I authored a poetry book in Spanish.” He moved from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico to attend residency. Javier speaks English, Spanish, French and German.
Dr. Linett Negron
Dr. Negron was born in Cuba and was raised in Miami, FL. She attended FIU where she got her Bachelor's degree in Biology and a minor in Psychology. She attended St. George's University School of Medicine. Prior to medical school she worked as a social worker attending the elderly in the community. She enjoys spending time with family and playing with her three golden retrievers. Her hobbies include scuba-diving, gardening, boating,
Dr. Roberto Orozco-Vega
Dr. Roberto Orozco-Vega, a distinguished medical professional, earned his medical degree from the esteemed UAG School of Medicine in Guadalajara, Mexico. His educational journey commenced with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, showcasing his passion for the sciences.
Originating from the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico, Dr. Orozco-Vega fluently communicates in both English and Spanish, facilitating effective patient interactions across diverse backgrounds. Beyond his medical career, he finds solace and inspiration in a range of interests, including music, art, avid reading, tending to plants, and the exhilaration of soccer matches.
In recognition of his commitment to promoting wellness, Dr. Orozco-Vega served as the Wellness Chief during the 2022-2023 term, making a lasting impact on our institution. Presently, he holds the esteemed position of Chief Resident, underscoring his unwavering dedication to the field of medicine and patient care.
Dr. Daniela Otero
Dr. Daniela Otero was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, and raised in Miami. She completed her undergraduate studies at Florida International University, and later pursued a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences at Drexel University College of Medicine. Dr. Otero obtained her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine. She enjoys: reading and reviewing novels, running, going to concerts, playing with her new Labrador Retriever puppy, Charlie, and traveling to Key West. Daniela speaks both English and Spanish.
Dr. Michelina Pando
Dr. Michelina “Mickey” Pando is from Miami, Florida and is happy to be back home for her residency training. As a first-generation American, she comes from a Cuban-Italian family whom have always supported her aspiration of becoming a psychiatrist. She received her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Psychology with a concentration in Child & Adolescent Mental Health from New York University. After completing the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Studies Program at NYU, she received her medical degree from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. During her spare time, she enjoys reading fiction, playing tennis, zip-lining, traveling (anywhere), and biking around the beach with her two little pups, Beemo and Lola. Her professional interests include narrative medicine, psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapies.
Dr. Elizabeth Perea
Dr. Elizabeth “Lizzy” Perea was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She graduated from college at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and earned her medical degree at Ponce Health Science University in Puerto Rico. Dr. Perea is so excited to be back home for residency training. Some of her interests include: reading novels, exploring Puerto Rico's beautiful beaches, traveling, going to the gym, and listening to music.
Dr. Jose Pagliery
Dr. Jose Pagliery, MD FACP, has over twenty years of experience in internal medicine. Prior to coming to work at Citrus Health Network, Dr. Pagliery spent five years teaching and supervising medical students and residents from Florida International University Wertheim College of Medicine at West Kendall Baptist Hospital. He has been an Associate Clinical Instructor at FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine since 2011. He has also taught webinar-based risk management strategies for emergency physicians. Dr. Pagliery is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians since 2014. He has been Board Certified in Internal Medicine since 1995. He received Cornell University certificates in Executive Healthcare Leadership and Healthcare Change Leadership in 2020. He has served as the Medical Director of Citrus Health Network since 2016.
Dr. Nelson A.
Ramos-Negrón
Dr. Ramos-Negrón was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He completed his undergraduate studies at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, where he consistently earned a place on the Dean’s List. He completed his Medical Degree at Ponce Health Sciences University/Ponce School of Medicine and received the esteemed Clinical Distinction Award. Subsequently, he completed his Adult Psychiatry Residency training in Miami, FL, at the Florida International University-Citrus Health Network program, where he received a Resident of the Year award and served as Chief Resident. Dr. Ramos then transitioned to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship and serves as a Chief of Wellness. Some of his favorite activities involve dining, exploring different restaurants and their culinary atmosphere, cooking, watching movies, visiting art museums, going to the beach, and traveling.
Dr. Ashley Sparber
Ashley was born and raised in Miami, FL. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Florida and obtaining medical degree from St. George’s University in Grenada. “In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and my dog, doing yoga, watching slam poetry, attending musical theatre, and going down to the Florida keys to have some fun in the sun.” Ashley speaks English, Spanish, and French.
Dr. Joshua Tapia
Joshua Tapia is a Miami native. He went to Braddock High School, studied Biology at Barry University, and earned his medical degree from Ross University. He enjoys taking time off to jump on a boat and go fishing. “To relieve some stress I enjoy working out at the local gym and participating in Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes. On my days off you will probably find me traveling, baking, walking my dog, or playing guitar.” Joshua speaks English and Spanish.
Dr. Virginia Ulloa
Dr. Virginia Ulloa, originally hailing from Peru and currently residing in the vibrant city of Miami, Florida, embarked on her medical journey in Portsmouth, Dominica. She is fluent in both English and Spanish, a linguistic proficiency that enhances her ability to connect with a diverse array of patients.
Her interests and hobbies reflect a deep appreciation for cultural diversity. Virginia finds great joy in traveling, not only to explore new places but also to engage with the people and cultures she encounters. She firmly believes that cultural competence is essential to comprehending the impact of global health disparities on overall well-being. Additionally, her passion for music transcends boundaries, as she enjoys listening to a wide spectrum of musical genres. Music has served as a universal language, forging friendships with individuals from various corners of the world.
In the academic year 2022-2023, Dr. Virginia Ulloa not only served as the esteemed Chief Resident but also received the honor of being elected Resident of the Year by her peers. These accolades are a testament to her unwavering commitment to the medical field and patient care.
Dr. Angela Vittori
Dr. Vittori was born and raised in Venezuela by an Italian family. In medical school, she participated as an instructor of Histology for the upcoming class and played for the Volleyball team of her school. After graduation, she worked in a small rural area on the coast of Venezuela where she provided medical care to an undeserved population. Following this, she completed a transitional year in Internal Medicine in Caracas. After coming to the United States in 2014, Dr. Vittori volunteered for 2 years in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry unit at The UTHealth Harris County Psychiatry Center in Houston. During her residency, she received the Intern of the Year 2018-2019 award and Leadership award 2020-2021. Dr. Vittori was Chief Resident for 2 consecutive years during her Psychiatry residency. As Chief Resident, she served as resident representative on the Graduate Medical Education Committee. Responsibilities included managing the Conference schedule for the residents as well the development of the Academic Track at Aventura Hospital. Dr. Vittori’s areas of research have been focused on Psychopharmacology, ADHD, Bipolar disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing volleyball with her friends and learning from other people and cultures.
Dr. Prisa Zachariah
Dr. Prisa Zachariah was born in Kerala, India and grew up in West Chester, PA. She attended Penn State University for undergrad, before going to Ross University Medical School on the island of Dominica. She completed her Psychiatry residency at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, one of the oldest state psychiatric facilities in NY, with affiliations with NYP/Columbia University Medical Center. She completed her Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Citrus Health Network and served as Chief Fellow during her CAP2 year. Dr. Zachariah stayed on at CHN as the Director of Curriculum for the CAP Fellowship Program and is also part of the CHN FIU EMBRACE Medical Center.
Dr. William Zambrano
Dr. Zambrano was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Cartagena, Colombia. He currently lives in Sunny Isles Beach, a place he loves because he and his family feel safe, “have excellent neighbors, and because the beach is just around the corner!” Dr. Zambrano speaks English and Spanish. Dr. Zambrano completed his undergraduate studies in Biology at Florida International University, a place that stayed in his heart after he left Miami. He earned his MD degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara Facultad de Medicina in Guadalajara in 2015, and is proud of this experience since it is the place where he met his wife, and also because he met excellent attendings there. He had the fortune to come back to Miami, specifically to Citrus health Network/FIU to realize his dream of becoming a psychiatrist. “It has been a pleasure to be part of this program as I consider my attendings and friends that I have made here as part of family. I would not imagine another place where I could be as happy as I am here.”