the disease; Clarissa Abrantes MD

Dr. Clarissa Abrantes went to medical school at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, the oldest Catholic university in the Philippines. After graduation, she completed her residency in internal medicine at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. After that, she moved to Florida and spent three years in a local practice before joining the Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence family.

It was December 2010 when she was tapped to take over the helm of the Institute of Medical Excellence office in Mulberry for the late Dr. Guillermo Avecilla.

“I have a wonderful team,” she says. “They go above and beyond expectations to ensure the quality of care patients receive is top-notch. It’s important for us doctors to be good communicators. I am very conscious of explaining things in a clear, concise way so my patients understand what I am saying. I do my best to be attentive, taking the time to listen to their concerns and answer their questions. I want patients to feel comfortable and open up. I don’t just treat the disease; I treat the patient as a whole.”