Preferred Health Partners is one of the largest multi-specialty groups in Brooklyn with more than 150 multilingual board certified physicians serving the diverse population of Brooklyn. The 12 medical offices throughout the borough are designed to provide multiple services at each one of our locations so patients can see their primary care doctor and see specialists at one office location.
Within the group, specialties range from family practice, pediatrics, allergy, to obstetrics/gynecology, and ophthalmology. Preferred Health Partners also accepts most major insurances. Through the hard work and dedication of two Preferred Health Partners executive leaders, Dr. Martin Valdes, chief executive officer (CEO) and Dr. Lesly Kernisant, president and chief medical officer of Preferred Health Partners formerly Central Brooklyn Medical Group, PC overcame many challenges in the healthcare industry as the largest medical group in Brooklyn.
Dr. Valdes, born in Havana, Cuba, came to the United States with his mother as political refugees when he was 11 years-old. His father, a physician, was not permitted to join them because of his political dissent. Dr. Valdes earned his medical degree from the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, followed by training in Internal Medicine at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. In addition, Dr. Valdes received his Master of Business Administration from the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Since becoming the CEO, Dr. Valdes has remained committed to reducing health disparities in the community by developing strategic initiatives aimed at improving the health of Brooklyn residents. Through his leadership, Preferred Health Partners has grown to become an accessible center of health care excellence, while remaining committed to providing culturally sensitive care to its diverse community. He has also spearheaded the full implementation of an electronic health records system, distinguishing Preferred Health Partners as one of the few health care delivery systems of its size in the US, to have this capability.
The Electronic Medical Records System enables physicians to access a patient’s medical record from any of the medical office locations, order laboratory tests and access the laboratory results. The implementation of the Electronic Medical Records also enables physicians with an opportunity to generate prescriptions electronically and to refer electronically to specialists. This provides the physician with more time for the care of the patient and to improve the rate of non-compliance.
“All our medical providers are assured that they have readily available all the critical information which they need to provide the best level of care” said Dr. Valdes, who is fully committed to investing in resources which will enhance the healthcare and services delivered to the Preferred Health Partners family of consumers.
Born in Haiti and graduated from Howard University Medical School, Dr. Kernisant is also a distinguished gynecologist and practitioner of medicine for more than 25 years. Prior to being appointed president & CEO of Preferred Health Partners, PC, he was responsible for the hiring of physicians that reflect the diversity of the residents of Brooklyn that seek regular care at the Preferred Health Partners’ medical office locations.
In this capacity, he has used his leadership to gain support for health issues affecting the diverse community of Brooklyn. Dr. Kernisant oversees more than 150 medical specialists, along with 650 non-physician staff, who are employed at the 12 medical office locations located throughout the borough of Brooklyn. As an advocate for healthcare reform, he applauded several of the recently expressed healthcare initiatives that called for more affordable healthcare for the more than 500,000 New York residents that are uninsured. In his role as advocate, he is one of the proponents for the movement that seeks to eliminate healthcare disparities that affect Brooklyn’s minority community.
This past year, in collaboration with the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President, Preferred Health Partners sponsored the Healthcare Disparities Symposium at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Additionally, Preferred Health Partners has been a major sponsor and contributor in the “Take your Man to the Doctor” campaign, which included free health screenings for men at all Preferred Health Partners locations. Preferred Health Partners has sponsored a number of community lectures & events focusing on healthcare issues with the highest rates of incidence in Brooklyn such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
In acknowledgement and appreciation of their service and contributions to the communities that they serve, both executives have been honored by a number of community based organizations. In addition, Dr. Valdes and Dr. Kernisant are members of numerous scientific, medical, and community associations.
For more about Preferred Health Partners Center locations, call 1-888-761-9088 or visit them at www.brooklyndocs.com.
