2025 marked another year of growth for First Physicians Group, increasing our primary and specialty care services throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties. With over 60 new providers throughout our network, FPG continues our commitment to providing high-quality care to patients of all ages.
Primary Care Services
Dr. Jammal Alexander Marcano Buret joined Dr. Albert Arias at FPG Family Medicine in North Port. He provides comprehensive care for adults and is fluent in English and Spanish.
Dr. Lauren Jackson joined the FPG Internal and Family Medicine office at University Parkway Health Care Center, working alongside Dr. Mario Azuero, Dr. Carlos Rodriguez, Dr. Enas Sallam, Dr. Bryce Somer, Dr. Nicholas Sutera and Dr. Seth Wilson. She provides comprehensive care, including the management of chronic conditions, for patients 12 and older.
Dr. Daniel Lang is part of the FPG Internal Medicine team in Suite 605 at Waldemere Medical Plaza in Sarasota. He provides yearly physicals, regular screenings and counseling on health, wellness and disease prevention.
Dr. Hadassa Leader is accepting patients at FPG’s Venice Island Pediatrics office, where she works with Dr. Avanee Lobo and Dr. Rachna Gulati. She provides comprehensive care for children from birth through age 18, and specializes in treating chronic conditions, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory conditions, infectious disease, skin conditions, orthopedic issues and neurologic and behavioral health.
Dr. Jose Manuel joined Dr. Randall Raine and Dr. Raymond Steele at FPG’s new Internal and Family Medicine office at Pointe Loop in Venice. He provides medical care for patients over 18 years old and specializes in the management of chronic conditions such as heart disease, respiratory conditions, diabetes, weight management and osteoporosis.
Dr. Berkis Contreras Tejeda joined the FPG Internal Medicine team at Newtown. She provides comprehensive care for patients 18 and older.
Specialty Care Services
Dr. Jackson Brown joined FPG’s Gastroenterology practice at Hillview Street in Sarasota, working alongside Dr. Stephen Kucera, Dr. Dustin Albert, Dr. Sooyun Chun, Dr. Mark Radetic, Dr. Benjamin Rodriguez, and Dr. Nihar Shah. Fellowship-trained in Gastroenterology, Dr. Brown specializes in esophageal disorders, GERD and reflux, colon cancer screening and prevention, liver disorders, irritable and inflammatory bowel disease, gall bladder disease and pancreatic disorders. He is board eligible for gastroenterology.
Dr. Justin Bryant is fellowship trained in both microvascular surgery and craniofacial reconstructive surgery. He performs a wide variety of plastic and reconstructive surgical procedures for patients of all ages. Dr. Bryant specializes in reconstructive microsurgery, autologous DEIP flap and implant breast reconstruction, partial breast reconstruction after lumpectomy, lower extremity reconstruction/limb salvage, lymphovenous bypass, perforator flaps, targeted muscle reinnervation, reconstruction after radiation, craniofacial reconstruction, oncologic and complex reconstruction. He joined Dr. Jerette Schultz in FPG’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery team at Waldemere Medical Plaza in Sarasota.
Dr. Alexander Casella is double board certified and fellowship trained in colon and rectal surgery. He performs advanced, minimally invasive surgery for benign and malignant colon and rectal problems including colorectal cancers, diverticulitis, rectal prolapse and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), as well as surgery for anorectal problems, such as hemorrhoids, anal abscesses, fistulas, and fissures.
Dr. Linnea Fechtner is accepting patients at First Physicians Group’s Silverstein Institute. Dr. Fechtner is an ear, nose and throat specialist who is board certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and fellowship trained in Otology. She specializes in the treatment of chronic ear disease and hearing loss, treatment of dizziness and balance disorders, and the management of nasal and sinus disease. Her specialties include minimally invasive ear and sinus surgery, Cochlear and bone conduction implants, tinnitus, and sleep apnea treatment with Inspire implants. For pediatric patients, she also performs tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies, ear tube procedures and tympanoplasty (eardrum repair).
Dr. Timothy Fernandez is fellowship trained in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular disease. He specializes in treating coronary artery disease, rhythm disorders including arrythmia and atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, pericardial disease, and vascular disease. Dr. Fernandez performs a wide range of cardiovascular testing and procedures including echocardiogram and stress testing, angioplasty and stent placement, in-stent restenosis, pulmonary embolism and thrombectomy, rotational, shockwave and laser atherectomy. He is a member of FPG’s Interventional and Diagnostic Cardiology team in Venice.
Dr. Lisa Liceaga is a board certified and fellowship trained physiatrist specializing in general physical medicine and rehabilitation. She provides inpatient rehabilitation care for patients admitted to Sarasota Memorial’s Rehabilitation Pavilion. She designs comprehensive, patient-centered plans for a variety of orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries, brain and spinal cord injury, neurological diseases, and cardiac and pulmonary conditions.
Dr. Gregory Lomas and Dr. Thomas Ruane joined FPG‘s Urology practice in Venice this year, joining the Urology suite at the Venice Medical Office Building at SMH-Venice’s campus. As board-certified specialists in urology, both doctors have broad clinical experience in medical and surgical treatments for a diverse range of common and complex urologic conditions including prostate, kidney and bladder cancer, kidney stone disease, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction.
Dr. Juan Pablo Pauta Martinez is double board certified and fellowship trained in Vascular Neurology and Neuro-interventional Radiology. He joined Dr. Eyad Almallouhi in FPG’s Neurointerventional Surgery team in Sarasota. Neuro-interventional surgeons perform interventions to treat vascular brain and spinal cord conditions such as stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral aneurysm, AV malformation, AV fistulas, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and tumors of the head, neck, and spine.
FPG Pulmonology in Sarasota and Venice gained two new critical care pulmonologists this year—Dr. Haares Mirzan and Dr. Evan Wasserman. Fellowship trained in Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, they specialize in diseases and conditions affecting the lungs and airways. They both treat a wide range of respiratory issues including asthma, bronchitis, bronchiectasis, COPD, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, mesothelioma, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary vascular disease, pleural effusion and sarcoidosis.
Dr. Suellen Sa became part of the Obstetrics and Gynecology team at the Venice Medical Office Building, working alongside Dr. Angela Marshall and Dr. Francisco Battaglia. Dr. Sa offers comprehensive care tailored to individual needs. Her expertise spans routine gynecologic care (including annual exams, contraception counseling, and STI screening), obstetric services (from prenatal care to labor and delivery, including high-risk pregnancy management in collaboration with Maternal-Fetal Medicine), and specialized treatments for conditions such as menstrual disorders, fibroids, ovarian cysts, infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, pelvic pain, and menopause. Fluent in English and Portuguese, and proficient in Spanish, she is committed to providing accessible, compassionate care to a diverse patient population.
Retirement
Dr. Joseph Rand retired from his position in the FPG Endocrinology team. We thank Dr. Rand for his excellent patient care over many years and wish him well in his future endeavors.
