Dr. Clara Chaves, MD

Dr. Clara Chaves, MD is a Family Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her clinic in Jacksonville, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is a trusted partner in preventive health. Your family medicine doctor is your primary partner in lifelong health, crafting personalized preventive care plans, coordinating essential screenings, and managing your overall wellness journey from childhood to senior years. She serves all ages, from newborns to seniors, and is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health.

Dr. Clara Chaves, MD is a family medicine physician in Jacksonville, FL, with a commitment to preventive care. She earned her medical degree from Columbia College Of Chiropractic and is Board Certified in Family Practice by the American Board of Family Medicine. Her approach emphasizes comprehensive care, coordinating screenings and creating personalized plans to promote well-being throughout life. Patients seeking her expertise should call (904) 861-1222 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Clara Chaves provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Clara Chaves is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Clara Chaves can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Clara Chaves provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Osteoarthritis of Shoulder: Early diagnosis of shoulder osteoarthritis helps us develop a personalized plan to slow its progression, preventing significant limitations in your daily activities.
• Anxiety: Don't let anxiety control your life – preventive care can equip you with the tools and support to manage it effectively and avoid long-term consequences.
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Lifestyle choices like diet and exercise can significantly impact your risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), highlighting the importance of preventive measures.
• Allergic Rhinitis: Preventing complications from allergic rhinitis, like asthma or sinus infections, starts with understanding your allergies and implementing strategies to minimize exposure to allergens.
• Diabetes Type 2: Early detection of type 2 diabetes is crucial to prevent long-term complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and blindness.
• Obesity: By focusing on preventive measures such as healthy eating and regular physical activity, you can reduce your chances of becoming obese and improve your overall health.
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Proper hydration and regular bathroom breaks are simple preventive measures that significantly reduce your chances of developing a UTI.
• Hyperlipidemia: High cholesterol, or hyperlipidemia, is a common condition that increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, making regular checkups and healthy lifestyle choices crucial for prevention.
• Abdominal Pain: Managing abdominal pain effectively through lifestyle changes and timely medical advice can help prevent chronic conditions and improve your overall health and well-being.
• Vitamin D Deficiency: Don't let vitamin D deficiency sneak up on you – proactive testing and management can significantly reduce your risk of developing associated health complications.
• Acute Upper Respiratory Infection: Understanding your own body's signals and seeking medical attention when experiencing symptoms can help prevent an acute upper respiratory infection from worsening and leading to more serious health issues.
• Lipid Disorders: Preventive care includes screenings for lipid disorders to identify and address any imbalances before they cause significant damage to your heart and blood vessels.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Clara Chaves offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Osteoporosis Screening: Protecting yourself from future fractures starts with an osteoporosis screening, a crucial step in preventing this often-silent disease.
• Hepatitis Screening: Hepatitis screening is a simple blood test that can detect the presence of hepatitis viruses, allowing for early treatment and preventing serious liver damage.
• Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Scan: Take charge of your bone health with a DEXA scan – a simple test that detects early signs of bone loss, allowing for timely intervention and preventing future problems.
• Strep Test: Taking a proactive step towards better health, a strep test helps detect streptococcal bacteria, enabling early intervention and preventing the spread of infection.
• Vaccination: Protecting yourself and your loved ones from vaccine-preventable diseases starts with scheduling your immunizations.
• Hepatitis C Virus Screening: Don't wait for symptoms – get screened for Hepatitis C to detect the virus early and begin treatment if needed.
• Diabetic Evaluation: Ensure optimal health by scheduling a diabetic evaluation. This assessment screens for diabetes and related health risks, facilitating proactive care.
• Hepatitis B Virus Screening: Protecting your future: Hepatitis B screening offers early detection of this potentially life-threatening virus, enabling prompt intervention.
• Lyme Disease Evaluation: Take a proactive step towards protecting your health with a Lyme disease evaluation, helping detect this infection early for effective treatment.
• ACTH (Cosyntropin) Stimulation Test: To ensure your body's hormone production is functioning optimally, an ACTH stimulation test can provide valuable insights and guide appropriate interventions.
• Joint Fluid Test: This simple test helps assess the health of your joints by analyzing the fluid within them, aiding in the early detection and management of conditions like gout or osteoarthritis.
• Vaginosis Screening: Taking charge of your vaginal health: a vaginosis screening can identify and address infections early, before they cause serious problems.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Family Medicine in Florida.

Dr. Clara Chaves is dedicated to partnering with Family members and caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By proactively addressing potential shoulder osteoarthritis risk factors, a patient developed a personalized exercise and lifestyle plan, significantly reducing their risk of pain and functional limitations. This proactive approach allowed them to maintain a fulfilling, active lifestyle.
• By establishing healthy coping mechanisms and stress-reduction techniques, a patient felt empowered to manage their anxiety effectively, leading to a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Family Medicine care with Dr. Clara Chaves:

What is a Family Physician, and how are they different from other doctors?

Dr. Clara Chaves and her team are family physicians, primary care doctors who provide comprehensive healthcare for people of all ages. They treat the whole person, focusing on the health of the entire family, and manage all aspects of a patient's care, emphasizing prevention.

What should I expect during an annual physical or wellness exam?

Your annual physical with Dr. Chaves is a great opportunity to partner with her in maintaining your health. It includes a review of your health history, a physical exam, and a discussion about personalized preventive screenings and lifestyle goals.

Why is it important to have a primary care physician, even if I'm healthy?

Having a primary care physician like Dr. Clara Chaves establishes a long-term relationship for your health. This baseline knowledge of your medical history allows for faster and more personalized care if you become unwell. It also helps you stay on track with preventive care to maintain your health.

I'm traveling internationally. Can you help with travel vaccinations?

Dr. Clara Chaves and her team can help you prepare for safe travel. We can review your itinerary, advise on necessary vaccinations like Typhoid or Hepatitis A, and provide prescriptions for preventive medications.

Do you provide care for children and infants?

Yes, Dr. Clara Chaves is fully equipped to care for children and infants. We provide well-child check-ups, developmental screenings, and childhood immunizations, making it convenient to have one doctor for all your family's health needs.

What blood tests are typically included in a routine check-up?

Routine blood tests are personalized. Common screening tests might include a complete blood count, cholesterol panel, and blood sugar to check for anemia, heart disease risk, and diabetes. Dr. Chaves will only order tests that are appropriate for your age and risk factors.

How does Dr. Clara Chaves approach mental health concerns like anxiety or depression?

Dr. Clara Chaves understands that mental health is crucial for overall well-being. She provides a supportive environment to discuss concerns, offers initial assessments, manages common medications, and coordinates referrals to specialists as needed.

Can I come in for urgent issues like a cold, flu, or minor injury?

Yes, Dr. Chaves and her team are happy to see you for urgent issues like colds, flu, or minor injuries. Seeing your primary care doctor for these acute illnesses is ideal because they know your health history. We can diagnose and treat common ailments, helping you avoid unnecessary trips to urgent care or the ER.

5238-16 Norwood Ave
Jacksonville FL 32208
Phone: (904) 861-1222

Dr. Clara Chaves, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1053370452

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Family Medicine like Dr. Clara Chaves are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your family medicine about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.