Hermes Florez, MD, MPH, PhD

After graduating from medical school, Dr. Hermes Florez was asked by a professor if he was interested in research on metabolic syndrome.  Realizing an immediate need to intervene in the obesity epidemic, Dr. Florez began studying cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

“We have a natural cohort of patients with metabolic syndrome and we can see how many develop diabetes and cardiovascular disease and what we can implement to delay or reduce that risk,” says Dr. Florez, “that translates into real life from a clinical setting.”

Dr. Florez serves as an investigator with the HSRC and as an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine.  He is also a staff physician at the Miami Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center where he co-founded the frailty and aging research group.

Dr. Florez was first drawn to the HSRC because of the unique assets of a large data base from Humana and the academic setting at UM.  With the ability to look retrospectively at patients’ claims, and ahead with clinical studies, Dr. Florez believes there is the potential to change care standards and eventually changes in policies.

Dr. Florez received his M.D. from the University of Zulia, School of Medicine in Venezuela, and his Master’s in Public Health and his Ph.D. in epidemiology from the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine.

Dr. Florez is a frequent lecturer in Venezuela and the United States and has co-authored more than a dozen publications on diabetes.  He also practices what he preaches to his patients when it comes to exercise.  He walks at least 10,000 steps a day and is an avid salsa and gaita dancer.