ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
UM/JMH Family Medicine Residency
RESIDENT PROFILES
CLASS OF 2025
Over Acuna, MD
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Hometown: Miami, FL
Hobbies: Exercise and reading
Favorite thing about FM: The ability to tailor your practice, broad scope, and patient relationships
Why choose UM/JMH: Wide range of exposure, diversity of the patient population, located in my home town, ability to serve my community
Favorite food: Steak and potatoes with some sort of greens
Go-to spot in Miami: Bill Baggs State Park Beach
Favorite coffee: Colada
Jonathan Cruz, MD
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
Hometown: Stratford, CT
Hobbies: Traveling! (I've been to 45 countries and all 50 states!)
Favorite thing about FM: Providing a broad range of services to populations with the most needs.
Why choose JMH/UH: The diversity of the residents & faculty
Favorite food: I drive to Fort Lauderdale for Italian at Louie Bossi’s and Greek at Ethos
Go-to spot in Miami: Any beach
Favorite coffee: Cold Brew with cream
Stephanie Deccy, MD
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Hometown: Burlington, CT
Hobbies: Running, music, NYT crossword, spending time with my husband Diego and our cat OC
Favorite thing about FM: I love the challenge of connecting with and treating people of every age and the continuity of care. Also, the versatility of the field is remarkable - you can do truly anything through Family Medicine.
Why choose UM/JMH: My co-residents are my favorite part of the program. They have made me feel so welcome and included since day 1. I also love the opportunity to meet people from all over the world every day (very unique to Miami!) and the strong sports medicine mentorship program.
Favorite food: pizza
Go-to spot in Miami: Mid-beach early in the morning when parking is free
Favorite coffee: Café con leche
Sonie-Lynn Francois, MD
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Hometown: Sunrise, FL
Hobbies: Baking, brunching, hanging out with friends (and my dog)
Favorite thing about FM: I love the continuity of care and the variety of full-scope family medicine. From prenatal care to peds to adult medicine, we do it all.
Why choose UM/JMH: I love the opportunity to serve a diverse patient population, especially the Haitian Community here in Miami. The residents and faculty are phenomenal too!
Favorite food: Doubles and Haitian Bouillon
Go-to spot in Miami: AAA for a Heat Game
Favorite coffee: I'm more of a chai tea latte hot kinda girl
Pedro Garcia Rodriguez, DO
Nova Southeastern School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Hobbies: Reading
Favorite thingabout FM: Focus on prevention and close relationship with your patients
Why choose UM/JMH: Cares for the underserved population, large Hispanic presence, exposure to broad pathology
Favorite food: Mofongo de jueyes
(and bbq sauce)
Go-to spot in Miami: L’artisane Bakery
Favorite coffee: Oat milk latte
Julieta Gonzalez Alvarez, MD
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Hometown: Havana, Cuba
Hobbies: running, cooking, cycling, reading
Favorite thing about FM: Being able to care for all members of the family, and creating long lasting bonds with my patients.
Why choose JMH/UH: Opportunity to work with an underserved population and serve my community. The people at this program are great!
Favorite food: Tacos
Go-to spot in Miami: Lagniappe, the beach
Favorite coffee: Cortadito and colada w/ sugar, please
Kimberly Lopez Clemente, MD
Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine
Hometown: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Hobbies: Spending outdoors
Favorite thing about FM: Diversity in patient population and preventative medicine
Why choose UM/JMH: Exposure to variety pathologies and commitment to the underserved
Favorite food: Puerto Rican pasteles
Go-to spot in Miami: The Taco Stand
Favorite coffee: ehh... Pink Lemonade
Samantha Valencia, MD
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Hometown: Miami, FL
Hobbies: Cooking, cycling, dog parks
Favorite thing about FM: Continuity of care and the ability to match your career to your evolving interests
Why choose UM/JMH: To serve the community I grew up in, work with a diverse and underserved patient population, and be part of a supportive program
Favorite food: Pão de queijo and stroganoff…and pad Thai
Go-to spot in Miami: Haulover Beach (it’s a dog beach too!)
Favorite coffee: Cortadito