FIU Health Physicians to practice under Baptist Health as part of FIU clinical and academic alliance

MIAMI, FL – July 7, 2025 – Baptist Health and Florida International University (FIU) Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine have formed a strategic alliance that aims to enhance patient care, physician training and clinical research in South Florida.

Under the new partnership, FIU Health, the College of Medicine’s clinical faculty group practice located on the university campus, is now practicing under the Baptist Health Medical Group. Comprised of some of South Florida’s best physicians, the group includes the following medical providers who will continue to deliver high-quality primary and specialized patient care to the community. 

• Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care | FIU: Psychiatrists Lina Irena Augius, M.D., Beatriz Helena D’Onghia Coutinho, M.D., Patricia Junquera, M.D., and Carlos A. Salgado, M.D.
• Baptist Health Oncology | FIU: Medical oncologist Aron Berkman, M.D.
• Baptist Health Primary Care | FIU: Family medicine physicians Shweta Akhouri, M.D., and Julia Bisschops, M.D.; Internal medicine physicians Gloria Coronel-Couto, M.D., Doris Cubas, M.D., Aymara Fernandez De La Vara, M.D., Amalia Landa-Galindez, M.D., and Carla Rabassa, M.D. 
• Baptist Health Nephrology | FIU: Nephrologist Dollie Green, M.D. 
• Baptist Health Gynecology | FIU: Gynecologists Rebeca Martinez, M.D. and Juana Maria Montero-Bernaldez, M.D.

“We are pleased to welcome these 15 new physicians to Baptist Health,” said Vedner Guerrier, vice president of operation clinical enterprise at Baptist Health. “This marks a milestone in the expanded clinical and academic affiliation between Baptist Health and FIU, demonstrating our shared commitment to improving access to high-quality care, advancing physician training and fostering innovation in the region.” 

Dr. Juan C. Cendan, dean of the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and senior vice president for Health Affairs at FIU emphasizes the significance of this affiliation in raising healthcare standards. “Bringing together new and current physicians in partnership with Baptist Health underscores our dedication to improving health outcomes for South Florida,” he said. “Together, we are creating a transformative environment where groundbreaking research, compassionate care and medical education converge to touch countless lives.” 

The physicians will see patients at the FIU Health clinic, located on the FIU campus at 800 SW 108 Avenue, Suite 100, Miami, FL 33174. 

About Baptist Health:
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 28,000 employees, 4,500 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned institutes specializing in cancer care, brain and spine care, heart and vascular care and orthopedic care. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and the Baptist Health PineApp, a virtual health platform. Baptist Health South Florida is an academic and clinical affiliate of Florida International University. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and is the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

About FIU:
Florida International University is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of more than 330,000. Located in the global city of Miami, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, including medicine and law. FIU faculty are leaders in their fields and include National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars, and MacArthur Genius Fellows. A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health, and technology and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation. With a focus on student success, economic mobility and community engagement, FIU is redefining what it means to be a public research university.