Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the FIU College of Medicine Faculty Group Practice locations?

FIU Health Faculty Group Practice - Modesto Maidique Campus  
855 SW 109 Avenue, Suite 131
Miami, FL 33199
Phone: (305) 348-3627 [348.DOCS]

Where can I park at the Faculty Group Practice?

Complimentary parking spaces have been reserved for patients at both Faculty Group Practice locations.

What are the hours of the FIU Health Faculty Group Practice on the Modesto A. Maidique campus?

The Faculty Group Practice – MMC is open on the following days and times, except on scheduled University and public holidays:

Appointments are recommended, and for your convenience, the scheduling of same day appointments is often available. To make an appointment, call (305) FIU-DOCS (348-3627).

I am an employee at the Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC). Is there a similar service at the BBC location?
Currently there is not a similar service at the BBC, however faculty and staff from all of FIU’s campus locations are encouraged to seek services from FIU Health. For your convenience, FIU offers transportation between the Biscayne Bay campus and Modesto Maidique campus, as well as from the College of Engineering to the Modesto Maidique campus. Visit http://parking.fiu.edu for more information and a schedule.

Who are the FIU employed physicians that are available at the Faculty Group Practice?
Faculty Group Practice - MMC
Primary Care:
Lester Carrodeguas, MD – Family Practice
Sandra Sarmiento, MD – Family Practice
Raul I. Tano, MD – Family Practice

Specialty Care:
Marta Cuellar, MD - Rheumatology
Jorge Fleisher, MD - Infectious Disease
Yolangel Hernandez Suarez, MD - Gynecology
Christopher La Riche, MD – Psychiatry
Carla S. Lupi, MD - Gynecology
Geeta Nayyar, MD - Rheumatology
Carolyn Runowicz, MD – Gynecology
Anup Sabharwal, MD - Endocrinology

Are there plans for additional specialty care to be provided?

Yes, plans are underway for additional specialties at various locations.

Are there other locations where College of Medicine clinical faculty provide services?
Yes, College of Medicine physicians are located at the Jackson Health System’s practice in the NorthPark Professional Building, at Jackson North Medical Center, 100 N.W. 170th Street, Suite 410, North Miami Beach, Florida 33169. For appointments, call (305) 654-6850.  Check with your health insurance plan regarding whether these physicians are in your health plan’s provider network. The current College of Medicine physicians at the NorthPark practice are:

Aron Berkman, MD - Hematology/Oncology
Bernard Cantor, MD - Gynecology
Seza Gulec, MD - Surgical Oncology
Cheryl L. Holder, MD - Internal Medicine
Mark Multach, MD - Internal Medicine

College of Medicine physicians are also located at Baptist West Kendall Hospital (15955 SW 96th Street, Ste. 203, Miami, FL 33196; (786) 467-3435. These physicians are:

Jaime Rodriguez, MD – General Surgery

What type of after-hours care does the Faculty Group Practice offer?
Both the Faculty Group Practice - MMC and the Faculty Group Practice – Broward have a 24/7 answering service for established patients to access their physicians for matters which cannot wait until the next business day.

What if I get hurt while at work here at FIU, can I go to the Faculty Group Practice?
No, the University has established policies regarding work injuries and employees should contact the University’s Department of Human Resources at (305) 348-2181 and OptaComp at (877) 518-2583 or seek emergency care if necessary.

What services are provided at the Faculty Group Practice?
Services available at the Faculty Group Practice - MMC include primary care, preventative care and management of chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, specialty care, basic radiology and laboratory services. More detailed information on services at this location is available here. 

Can I get a seasonal flu-shot at the Faculty Group Practice?
Each year, the flu vaccine is offered at the Faculty Group Practice on the Modesto Maidique Campus or at various outreach events during the flu season. No appointment is necessary. The cost of the flu vaccine is covered by most insurance plans. For more information on receiving a flu vaccine, please call (305) FIU-DOCS (348-3627).

If I am a new employee and my group health insurance isn’t effective yet, or if want a service that I want is not covered by my health plan, can I go to the Faculty Practice for service?
Yes. Check with the Faculty Group Practice to see if the service you desire is available. You can also inquire about the fee schedule. The FIU Health Faculty Group Practice accepts cash, checks, debit cards, Visa and Mastercard.

Yes. Since you would be responsible for payment for any services received you can inquire with the Faculty Group Practice about available services and the fee schedule.

What insurance plans are currently accepted at the Faculty Group Practice?
The list of insurance plans accepted by the Faculty Group Practice – MMC is available here.

Additional insurance plan contracts are in progress. Please check the specific practice location for updates.

Is the Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plan offered to FIU international, graduate assistants and other students the same Blue Cross Blue Shield plan that is offered to benefits-eligible FIU faculty and staff?
No it is not, therefore students having the Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan (Blue Options, Group Number 67222) need to seek medical care at University Health Services/Student Health at either the MMC or Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC).

I work at FIU but I belong to an insurance plan other than the plans offered to FIU faculty and staff. Can I and/or my dependents receive services at the Faculty Group Practice?
Various insurance plans are contracted at each practice location in addition to those insurance plans which are University-sponsored/ones currently offered by FIU. As these plans are contracted we will provide communication at the Faculty Group Practice as well as on our website. Since November 1, 2011, medical services are available to dependents of the FIU community as well as the general South Florida community.

I’m not a patient of the Faculty Group Practice. Can I just come in to have my blood pressure checked by the doctor?
You must be an established patient at the Faculty Group Practice in order to come in and get your blood pressure checked, or have blood drawn to send to a lab. However, you are able to receive radiology services (i.e. x-rays, ultrasound) at the MMC even if you have never been a patient at the practice as long as you have a prescription from your doctor.

Are there other College of Medicine faculty members who are available to FIU faculty and staff?
Yes. Many College of Medicine voluntary faculty members are available to provide medical services through their community practices. You may get information about their specialty and practice contact information at the College of Medicine's website. A variety of specialties are represented on the listing and practices are located across Miami-Dade County. Make sure to check with your insurance plan regarding the affiliations of any of these providers before making an appointment.

Will my privacy be respected?
Yes. In order to ensure your privacy, appointments, medical records, phone and electronic communications, we have set up systems specific to the Faculty Group Practice and privacy standards that apply to health care providers. To learn more about the ways in which we may use and disclose your health information, your rights and our obligations regarding the use and disclosure of health information under the HIPAA, please refer to our Notice of Privacy Practices.

Are there documents that have to be completed the first visit?
Yes. There are some forms and documents (those that do not require a witnessed signature) – including medical history, patient demographic information, assignment of benefits and authorization for release of medical information and payment – available on the FIU Health website. We want to make sure your visit to the Faculty Group Practice is as simple and convenient as possible, so you are encouraged to download and complete these forms in advance of your initial visit. Please bring the completed forms with you; otherwise they will be available when you arrive for your first appointment.