44
COM Outlook . Spring 2015
of Miami, enjoyed many memorable
moments, including participating in
a medical outreach trip to Guatemala
and presenting his award-winning
research at various national confer-
ences. “But perhaps most impor-
tantly, I was blessed to have many
faculty and staff mentors who took a
special interest in me,” he said.
After graduating from NSU-
COM, Dr. Hernandez completed his
internal medicine residency training
at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston,
Florida, before becoming the CEO
and director of internal medicine
at Cano Health, which was estab-
lished by his mother, Lourdes Cano,
D.M.D., who is a 2001 NSU College
of Dental Medicine graduate. The
company is planning on building
two more health care centers within
the next year and is working closely
with Cano Life—a 501c(3) nonprofit
corporation—to provide free health
care to individuals who demonstrate
financial need.
Cano Health is a true family affair
because in addition to being affili-
ated with the company his mother
created, his wife, Stephanie M.
Hernandez, D.M.D., and his brother,
David Hernandez, D.M.D., both of
whom earned their graduate degrees
from NSU’s College of Dental Medi-
cine, are on the staff as well. “I’m
very proud of Cano Health, which is
a one-stop shop health center dedi-
cated to quality primary care,” said
Dr. Hernandez, who is the proud
father of sons Adrian and Nicolas.
“Since opening in 2010, we created
programs that could serve patients
with limited financial means at very
little cost to them. As of today, we
have served over 25,000 patients,
many of which did not have health
insurance. Last month, we opened a
satellite office and increased our ef-
forts to bolster our charitable founda-
tion, Cano Life, in order to be able to
serve even more patients.”
Because he possesses an entre-
preneurial spirit, Dr. Hernandez has
added another aspect to his career
by starring in a medical reality show
entitled
Medicina Moderna
that is set
to air later this spring on the VME
Spanish television network as well
as other local TV outlets. “The show
brings modern medicine to the fore-
front by educating—and entertain-
ing—the public with regard to the
clinical and administrative require-
ments of a modern health center,”
he explained. “Essentially,
Medicina
Moderna
allows me to bring state-
of-the-art medical and public health
practice into the viewer’s home. The
show complements the office because
while the clinic is able to help an
individual or a family, the show can
reach entire communities.”
Dr. Hernandez, who credits his
family for helping him accomplish
so much in his relatively young life,
plans to pay it forward and help
others who have been less fortunate.
“My passion lies in public service.
Therefore, my professional focus will
be on building institutions that make
a difference in our communities,” he
concluded. “I enjoy what I do be-
cause it is a
calling
rather than a
job
.”
THE NEXT GENERATION:
Dr. Stephanie M. Hernandez, sons Nicolas and Adrian, and Dr. Hernandez.
A BRIGHT FUTURE BECKONS:
Dr. Hernandez in
his NSU-COM graduation attire.
