
Overview
Dr. Okeefe Simmons graduated from medical school at the University of Miami with research honors, followed by an Internal Medicine residency at the University of Texas – Southwestern Medical Center where he was named an emerging liver scholar, a national distinction awarded by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).
He then completed four years of fellowship training at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and Cornell Medicine / New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. He is the first triple fellowship-trained physician in gastroenterology, bariatric endoscopy, and obesity medicine in the country.
Dr. Simmons has clinical, procedural, and research expertise in these areas – he has completed well over 2000 endoscopic procedures and has authored multiple research papers and textbook chapters in these fields. He is a member of multiple medical organizations, including The Association for Bariatric Endoscopy, The Obesity Society, and the Association for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Dr. Simmons also teaches University of Miami gastroenterology fellowship trainees at the Miami Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Center.
Dr. Simmons is a prominent gastroenterologist with extensive expertise in bariatric medicine. His dedication to gastroenterology and obesity medicine helped him contribute immensely to the advancement of these fields and be of service to hundreds of patients who got a new, healthy life thanks to his knowledge and hard work.
Many patients express their gratitude to Dr. Simmons not only because he is a highly-qualified and devoted gastroenterologist but also because he is a compassionate and caring human being who always takes time to better understand the situation of each person and provide individualized treatment.
Dr. Simmons is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Obesity. His top areas of expertise are Obesity, Opioid Induced Constipation, Hepatitis B, Colonoscopy, and Endoscopy.
His clinical research consists of co-authoring 8 peer reviewed articles. MediFind looks at clinical research from the past 15 years. In particular, he has co-authored 4 articles in the study of Obesity.
Insurance
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Accepted insurance plans:
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- OTHER COMMERCIAL
- OTHER MEDICARE
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
- PPO
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- INDEMNITY
- POS
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- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
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- OTHER MEDICARE
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- OTHER MEDICARE
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Locations
Clinical Research
Clinical research consists of overseeing clinical studies of patients undergoing new treatments and therapies, and publishing articles in peer reviewed medical journals. Providers who actively participate in clinical research are generally at the forefront of the fields and aware of the most up-to-date advances in treatments for their patients.
Gastro Health, LLC
Jerry Martel is a Gastroenterologist in Miami, Florida. Dr. Martel is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Obesity. His top areas of expertise are Colitis, Obesity, Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC), Colonoscopy, and Gastrectomy.
Digestive Medicine Associates LLP
Dr. Jeff Gonzalez obtained his undergraduate degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then completed his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, after which he went on to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to complete an Internal Medicine Residency. He obtained his Clinical Fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Gonzalez’s clinical interests include colon cancer screening in the South Florida community and pharmaceutical research studies. Dr. Gonzalez is Board Certified in Gastroenterology.Dr. Gonzalez has served as Chair of the Resident and Fellow Section for the American Medical Association and on the Florida Medical Association delegation to the American Medical Association. Dr. Gonzalez has also served as a Voluntary Assistant Professor at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology. Dr. Gonzalez is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Obesity. His top areas of expertise are Gastritis, Heartburn, Chronic Erosive Gastritis, Indigestion, and Colonoscopy.
Digestive Medicine Associates LLP
Dr. Joel Kertznus received his medical degree from the Universidad Central de Venezuela. He trained as a Research Fellow in Hepatology at the University of Miami School of Medicine and completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Montefiore Medical Center / Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. He completed his Clinical Hepatology and Gastroenterology Fellowships at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Dr. Kertznus served as a faculty member at the University of Massachusetts and University of Miami / Miller School of Medicine and Miami Transplant Institute. Dr. Kertznus is a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Physicians / American Society of Internal Medicine, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American Gastroenterology Association, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American College of Gastroenterology. He is Board Certified in gastroenterology. Dr. Kertznus is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Obesity. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC), Gas Bloat Syndrome, Gastritis, and Bacterial Gastroenteritis.
Areas of Expertise
MediFind evaluates expertise by pulling from factors such as number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials, speaking at industry conferences, prescribing and referral patterns, and strength of connections with other experts in their field.
Learn more about MediFind’s expert tiers
- Experienced
- Caroli DiseaseDr. Simmons isExperienced. Learn about Caroli Disease.
- ColonoscopyDr. Simmons isExperienced. Learn about Colonoscopy.
- EndoscopyDr. Simmons isExperienced. Learn about Endoscopy.
- HemorrhoidsDr. Simmons isExperienced. Learn about Hemorrhoids.
- Hepatic Cystic HamartomaDr. Simmons isExperienced. Learn about Hepatic Cystic Hamartoma.
- HepatitisDr. Simmons isExperienced. Learn about Hepatitis.
