Baptist Health Cancer Care APP Fellowship Faculty

Dr. Sinclair is an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) educator with twenty years of extensive experience in oncology and hematology. Her substantive oncology and hematology contribution at her current organization has been improving education requirements for the APPS via standardizing their onboarding and developing competencies. , Miri received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida International University, her Master’s in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Miami School of Nursing, and her Doctorate in Nurse Practitioner - Leadership Track from Chamberlain School of Nursing. She obtained her Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) in 2011.

Additionally, Miri coordinated the first cohort for the Miami Cancer Institute (MCI) Bone Marrow Transplant Fellowship in 2021-2022 and acted as interim manager for the education department in 2021. In January 2024, she launched the first MCI APP Educational Grands Rounds in the Baptist Health South Florida system. She is an active committee planner and moderator for the annual APP’s Oncology and Hematology Summits with Memorial Sloan Kettering and Horizon CME.

Miri is an active member of the Oncology Nursing Society and the Nurse Practitioner Council of the Miami-Dade Association. Previously, she was a speaker for Myriad Laboratory Genetic Labs INC and Pfizer Company and worked as an adjunct clinical faculty member for Miami Dade College School of Nursing.

Gerlem is an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Educator Specialist with over 15 years of diverse experience in Oncology. She provides comprehensive care to patients with cancer, demonstrating a profound commitment to improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practices. She is currently involved in an APP led Multidisciplinary Long-term Follow-up Clinic for Head and Neck patients, where she monitors their progress post-treatment. Her expertise encompasses the management of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation side effects, highlighting her proficiency in addressing complex cancer-related conditions. She is passionate about empowering APPs to deliver exceptional patient care and has a proven track record of enhancing clinical practices within her teams. Gerlem holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida International University and a Master’s in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner from Chamberlain University. She is dedicated to fostering a collaborative learning environment and is committed to the ongoing professional development of her colleagues in the field of oncology.

Gerlem’s professional journey includes significant contributions as an Advanced Practice Provider Education Specialist at Miami Cancer Institute. In this capacity, she supports the educational needs of clinical advanced practice providers, facilitating their professional development and enhancing clinical practice standards. Her leadership in innovative educational planning and coordination underscores her commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning within the healthcare environment.

In addition to her clinical work, she participates in multiple conference planning committees for APP conferences. Throughout her career, Gerlem has received numerous accolades that reflect her dedication to patient care and professional excellence.

Rafael Alonso, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, is an Adjunct Professor at Florida International University Graduate Nursing. He also practices as a Nurse Practitioner in Classical Hematology/Medical Oncology at Miami Cancer Institute, where he serves as the Classical Hematology Fellowship Site Coordinator. In these roles, he combines academic leadership, clinical expertise, and advanced practice provider training. Mr. Alonso is dual board-certified as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. His clinical background includes hematology/oncology, endocrinology, and endocrine surgery. He has contributed to the development of graduate nursing education through the creation of the Adult- Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program and the development of multiple graduate- level courses. His academic and professional interests include hematology education, fellowship development, advanced practice provider onboarding, and preparation of future nurse practitioners for complex acute and specialty care practice.

Victoria Cassidy, PA-C, is a Physician Assistant at Baptist Health South Florida’s Miami Cancer Institute, where she practices in the Malignant Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) inpatient unit and contributes to the care of patients with complex hematologic conditions. She works within a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.

Ms. Cassidy is also involved in the development and support of Advanced Practice Provider fellowship training, contributing to the education and mentorship of APPs specializing in malignant hematology and bone marrow transplant as a specialty coordinator within the APP fellowship program. She is committed to advancing oncology practice and improving outcomes for patients through collaborative, evidence-based care.

Camila Masias Castanon, M.D., is a medical oncologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders, such as iron-deficiency anemia, thrombosis hemophilia, sickle-cell disease, leukemia and lymphoma. She collaborates with Miami Cancer Institute’s multidisciplinary team to provide patients with personalized, comprehensive care. Dr. Masias conducts clinical research to improve the care and outcomes of patients with blood disorders and blood cancers. She is widely published in peer-reviewed medical journals and is an invited presenter at educational and scientific symposiums. She has received numerous awards for her academic, clinical, and research excellence.

Srikanth Nagalla, M.D., is chief of benign hematology at the Miami Cancer Institute. Dr. Nagalla specializes in treating benign (non-cancerous) hematological conditions, including bleeding and clotting disorders, rare blood disorders, high and low platelets, high and low blood counts, bone marrow failure syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms. In addition to his extensive experience in benign hematology, Dr. Nagalla has a master’s degree in microbiology and immunology. He has also contributed significant research to the field of platelet biology that could have a lasting impact on how diseases are treated in the future. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters in the field of hematology.

Dr. Nagalla joined the Miami Cancer Institute from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Throughout his career, he has served in multiple leadership roles. Dr. Nagalla has a strong understanding of the pathophysiology of blood disorders, which is important when developing personalized treatment plans. It allows him to think outside of the box and provide treatment options that are most beneficial to his patients. He believes in educating patients and their caregivers so they can serve as partners and advocates in the treatment process and experience better outcomes. Dr. Nagalla is also passionate about training the next generation of physicians. He has received several awards for his work in teaching medical students and trainees. He serves on multiple national committees for medical education.

When he is not treating patients, Dr. Nagalla enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and golfing.

Leonor Perez Aquino, DNP, AGACNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC, AOCNP, BMTCN, is an Advanced Practice Provider specializing in malignant hematology, bone marrow transplant, and inpatient oncology care at Miami Cancer Institute. She serves as a BMT APP and Fellowship Specialty Coordinator for the Malignant Hematology/BMT Fellowship Program.

In her clinical role, Dr. Perez Aquino provides comprehensive care to patients undergoing complex hematologic and transplant therapies, collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care. As Fellowship Specialty Coordinator, she acts as the primary liaison for fellows, coordinating rotations and clinic schedules, and ensuring compliance with institutional policies and educational standards. Her role supports both trainee development and the overall quality and continuity of the fellowship experience. With a strong commitment to education, she is an Adjunct Faculty member in graduate nursing programs, contributing to the academic preparation and mentorship of future nurse practitioners.

She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and multiple national certifications and is actively engaged in professional organizations and institutional committees. Dr. Perez Aquino is recognized for her leadership, clinical excellence, and passion for developing both patients and healthcare professionals within the field of oncology.

Marco Ruiz, M.D., MPH, FACP, FIDSA, in his current role as Chief of HIV Oncology and HIV Stem Cell Transplantation is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of hematologic cancers, including Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Myelofibrosis, as well as cancer combined with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). He has unique expertise in bone marrow transplantation, geriatric oncology, and palliative medicine. Dr. Ruiz performs cancer research and clinical trials, with a focus on perfecting cancer treatments and improving patient outcomes. He has extensive teaching experience, training medical students, residents, oncology fellows and advanced practice provider fellows. He is widely published in peer-reviewed medical journals and serves as editorial board member for numerous scientific publications. He also delivers invited lectures at national and international scientific symposiums.