Eli Meyer Friedman, MD

Armando Alvarez, M.D., is a board-certified physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation as well as pain management at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute. He is fluent in English and Spanish. Dr. Alvarez diagnoses and treats patients with acute and chronic pain, as well as musculoskeletal conditions. He uses a range of treatment modalities, including spinal and joint injections, stimulator trials and rehabilitation to help patients manage their pain and regain function. Prior to joining Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, Dr. Alvarez completed his pain medicine fellowship at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Dr. Alvarez earned his master’s degree in public health from the University of Miami and his medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. As a student, he initiated the first Diversity Week at his school and achieved the Gold Humanism Award for exhibiting compassionate patient care and serving as a role model, mentor and leader in medicine. He then completed his physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at University of Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Alvarez conducts research, including studies on the management and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions and analyzing healthcare disparities in underserved populations. He is also a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia. Dedicated to helping others in their time of need, Dr. Alvarez partners with his patients to navigate complex medical issues. He understands the unique challenges of pain management and strives to help them get back to leading full lives. Whether he is assisting an athlete in returning to their sport or helping a mother lift her child, Dr. Alvarez encourages his patients to accomplish their personal goals. In his free time, Dr. Alvarez enjoys scuba diving, surfing, running marathons, playing softball and visiting the local ventanita for coffee.

Ricardo Luis de la Villa Pagán, M.D., is a cardiologist at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute specializing in non- invasive cardiology. He is fluent in English and Spanish. After earning his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico’s School of Medicine, Dr. de la Villa Pagán completed his internal medicine residency at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and West. Prior to joining Baptist Health, Dr. de la Villa Pagán completed his cardiology fellowship at Columbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. He was awarded chief cardiology fellow for his exceptional clinical work and commitment to quality care. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. de la Villa Pagán has been involved in both clinical research and quality improvement initiatives centered on improving the quality of patient care. His publications can be found in multiple medical journals including Journal of the American College of Cardiology and Circulation.With a passion for cardiovascular medicine and holistic care, Dr. de la Villa Pagán strives to address all aspects of his patients’ well-being. Committed to helping people navigate systemic obstacles to care, he takes time to educate patients on their diagnoses and treatment plans. He treats patients like an extension of his family and supports them through challenging moments.Outside of work, Dr. de la Villa Pagán enjoys leading an active lifestyle, playing sports and spending time with his friends and family.

Juan Lopez, M.D., is a board-certified medical cardiologist at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, specializing in complex cardiovascular conditions, echocardiography and preventive cardiovascular health. He is fluent in English and Spanish.Prior to joining Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Dr. Lopez completed his cardiology fellowship at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. He earned his medical degree from the Florida Internal University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and completed his internal medicine residency at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. He earned Intern of the Year in 2018 and the Derek J. Sayfie, M.D., Research Day Top Clinical Research award in 2019. Dr. Lopez coauthored a chapter in the 2023 book Mastering Structural Heart Disease and published research in journals such as Circulation Research and the American Journal of Cardiology.With a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, Dr. Lopez has a deep understanding of the procedures and devices that he recommends to patients. He also understands that patient care means going beyond diagnosis and treatment as he helps patients and their families work through fears and anxieties to achieve healing.In his free time, Dr. Lopez enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, which includes lugging an overpacked cart often to the beach or making a pizza from scratch at home.