ACV’s New Physician: Dr. Maria Gonzalez

Advent Christian Village at Dowling Park is thrilled to announce the arrival of their new chief of medical services, Dr. Maria Gonzalez. Maria, fresh from Florida Hospital in Orlando, began seeing patients in Dowling Park the 13th of last month. Besides seeing patients and managing daily operations at the Copeland Clinic, she will also supervise the medical care given at Good Samaritan Center, ACV’s 24-hour skilled nursing center, and at Dacier Manor its’ assisted living facility.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Maria attended and received her MD from Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. She attributes her desire to become a physician to her mother, who is also a doctor. Both women specialize in general medicine. Maria is board certified in family medicine, geriatrics, and hospice and palliative medicine. Maria has a great passion for hospice care.

Toward the end of her years in college, Maria was reacquainted with a childhood friend, Juan C. Gonzalez. The two began dating and were married in 2002. Together, the couple has a six-year-old son, Giovanni, and an eleven-month-old daughter, Rose.

The Gonzalezes have lived in the States for 13 years. The past six years, Maria worked as a geriatric specialist at Florida Hospital. In that position, she taught both medical residents and students of Florida State University attending the Orlando campus. In fact, she is a member of FSU’s faculty and hopes to continue teaching by bringing students to the Village for instruction.

Before being hired as a geriatric specialist by Florida Hospital, Maria received post-graduate medical education there, completing both her residency and fellowship.

Maria’s philosophy of medicine is centered around respect for the patient and what they want. She will always suggest what needs to be done, but then her course of action takes into account the patient’s wants. She’s willing to meet them half way and to adapt a treatment plan to what they want and to their values.

When asked what she likes best about being a physician, she responds, “Interacting with the people, and getting to make a different in their lives.”

Outside of the office, Maria says she really likes to shop. She also takes pleasure in visiting museums and attending the theater.

So far, the medical staff at Advent Christian Village have impressed Maria. She has also been surprised by the high level of care ACV’s Social Services staff provides. She comments that ACV’s members receive support like she’s never seen before.

Director of Nursing/Informatics Services Ann Toole is just as impressed with Maria. “She is very compassionate and is committed to providing the highest level of care for our residents and patients. She has big shoes to fill following Dr. Masoodi’s tenure here, but she is very capable of filling those shoes. I am looking forward to working with her and learning from her.”

“As far as a job opportunity,” Maria says with a smile, “this is probably the best I’m going to get.” The Village is very glad Dr. Gonzalez agreed to come to Dowling Park and hopes that our relationship lasts for many, many years.