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Internal medicine specialist Anteneh Addisu, a physician-scientist who holds both an M.D. and a Ph.D. in molecular science, has joined UCF Health, the College of Medicine’s physician practice. Dr. Addisu will practice at UCF Health’s second location, at Narcoossee Road and Tavistock Lakes Boulevard at the entrance of Orlando’s Medical City. That facility opens March 16.

Dr. Addisu also serves as an assistant professor at the UCF College of Medicine. All physicians at UCF Health are faculty members at the medical school.His research training in molecular science and a master’s degree in population health bring a unique perspective to patient care, especially in the areas of autoimmunity, fibrosis and inflammatory diseases.“Health is a continuum, not simply the absence of disease,” said Dr. Addisu. “My training in basic science constantly reminds me that life begins at the cellular level. What occurs there can tell us so much about the root causes of suffering and disease. But that doesn’t paint the complete picture. As a clinician and life-long student of population studies, I also look at my patients’ environment to better understand their health conditions and how I can facilitate their healing.”

For example, population studies show that the majority of people diagnosed with hypertension tend to carry extra pounds and use tobacco products, he said. “However, there isn’t a single cause or intervention for everyone. That’s where I have the privilege of working individually with my patients to translate the causes and knowledge of their conditions into an actionable plans that lead to improved health and longevity.”

Dr. Addisu said UCF Health’s individualized, patient-centered approach to medicine is the key reason he joined the practice.

“Thanks to technology, we live in an era where awareness of health is higher than ever before. However, translating that knowledge into action is still a challenge. I wanted to be part of a team that values the patient/doctor relationship because we know that when patients feel like they are heard and are involved in the decision-making process, the outcomes are vastly improved,” he said.

With experience in private practice, as well as positions as a practice group leader and medical director for a national physicians group, Dr. Addisu brings a wealth of patient care knowledge to UCF Health. His academic responsibilities included leading the muscle and cardiovascular physiology lab at the Gondar College of Medical Sciences, participation in the renal physiology preceptorship for medical students while at the natriuretic peptide lab at the University of South Florida, as well as teaching the physical diagnosis clerkship for third- and fourth-year medical students at the New York Medical College. He is an award-winning clinician and academic who has also been involved in voluntary provision of free medical services to indigent patients in the community he has served.

Dr. Addisu earned his M.D. degree from Addis Ababa University in Gondar, Ethiopia, and was a visiting scholar at the University of Washington’s School of Public Health. He completed his residency at New York Medical College, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Addisu also attended the University of South Florida where he earned a Master’s in Public Health and a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences at the department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology.

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