Dr. Ernest Fontecha, MD

Dr. Ernest Fontecha, MD is an Internal Medicine Physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Internal Medicine care. He practices at his clinic in Riverview, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Internists are your primary partners in lifelong health, creating comprehensive preventive care plans, coordinating essential screenings, and managing complex adult diseases to ensure your overall wellness and optimal long-term health. He is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where you feel empowered to take an active role in your health journey.

Dr. Ernest Fontecha, MD is an internist in Riverview, FL, affiliated with Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine and serves adults (18 years and older). He is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (813) 660-6400 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Fontecha provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Ernest Fontecha 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. Ernest Fontecha 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. Ernest Fontecha 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:

• Reflux Esophagitis: Managing reflux esophagitis effectively through lifestyle modifications and medication, if needed, prevents the progression to more severe esophageal conditions.
• Anal or Rectal Pain: Preventive healthcare includes addressing anal or rectal pain to prevent chronic discomfort and ensure optimal digestive health.
• Overweight: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for preventing heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses; it's a vital aspect of preventive care.
• Tonsillitis: Preventive strategies, like good hand hygiene and avoiding close contact with infected individuals, can reduce your risk of contracting tonsillitis.
• Osteoarthritis: Managing osteoarthritis effectively through regular checkups and adherence to your treatment plan is essential to prevent joint damage and maintain mobility.
• Mononucleosis: Regular check-ups with your doctor can help detect mononucleosis early, even in asymptomatic cases, allowing for prompt management and minimizing potential health risks.
• Altitude Sickness: Planning ahead and making smart choices, such as appropriate ascent rates and hydration strategies, can significantly lessen your risk of developing altitude sickness.
• Eczema and Contact Dermatitis: Properly managing eczema and contact dermatitis through skincare routines and avoiding triggers helps prevent complications like secondary infections and emotional distress.
• Essential Tremor: Regular health screenings and communication with your doctor about any tremors are crucial for early detection and management of essential tremor, improving long-term outcomes.
• Benign Chronic Pain Syndrome: Proactive strategies like exercise, stress management, and healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent the development and worsening of benign chronic pain.
• Esophagitis: Early diagnosis of esophagitis is key to preventing long-term damage to your esophagus and reducing the risk of more serious health issues down the line.
• Allergic Conjunctivitis: Managing allergic conjunctivitis through proactive strategies like allergen avoidance and medication can help prevent frequent flare-ups and chronic eye problems.

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. Ernest Fontecha offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Abscess or Fluid Incision and Drainage: To prevent serious infections, sometimes a simple procedure to drain an abscess or fluid collection is necessary – a key part of your overall health plan.
• Advance Directive End of Life Planning: Take control of your future by documenting your healthcare preferences and making your end-of-life decisions known.
• Arterial Blood Gas Test (ABG): This simple blood test helps your doctor check your blood's oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, giving them a clear picture of your lung and kidney function and helping to prevent serious complications.
• Cardiovascular Disease Counseling: Invest in your future well-being: Through cardiovascular disease counseling, we'll work together to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, promoting a longer, healthier life.
• Care Coordination for Complex Conditions and Procedures: Prevent health crises by proactively managing your multiple medical conditions with a coordinated care approach focused on early diagnosis and intervention.
• Chronic Care Management: Prevent serious health issues down the road by participating in Chronic Care Management – it's a proactive approach to managing your health.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): To ensure your heart's functioning well, an EKG is a valuable tool that can identify hidden heart issues, allowing for timely intervention and preventing future complications.
• Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer: A simple fecal occult blood test helps detect hidden blood in your stool, allowing for early detection of potentially life-threatening colorectal cancer.
• Immunization Administration: Schedule your immunizations to proactively minimize your risk of infection and maintain optimal well-being.
• Obesity Counseling: Let's work together to assess your weight and create a plan to reduce your risk of obesity-related health problems like heart disease and diabetes.
• Smoking Cessation Counseling: Invest in your future by participating in smoking cessation counseling; it can significantly reduce your risk of lung cancer and heart disease.
• Wellness Examination: Proactively safeguard your well-being with a wellness examination, designed to detect hidden risks and empower you to make informed decisions about your health.

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 Internal Medicine Physicians in Florida.

Dr. Ernest Fontecha is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Adult Patient's life:

• By making dietary changes and incorporating stress-reducing techniques, a patient successfully managed their reflux esophagitis, preventing further complications and improving their overall well-being.
• By addressing potential discomfort early with a proactive health plan, a patient achieved lasting relief from anal or rectal pain, promoting improved digestive health and overall well-being.
• By incorporating regular exercise and a balanced diet into their routine, a patient successfully maintained a healthy weight, significantly reducing their risk of developing chronic illnesses and improving their overall well-being.

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

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Internal Medicine care with Dr. Ernest Fontecha:

What is an Internist, and how are they different from a Family Physician?

An internist, like Dr. Fontecha, is a primary care doctor who specializes in adult health. While family physicians treat patients of all ages, internists have extensive training in diagnosing and managing the many medical conditions adults may experience.

How does Dr. Ernest Fontecha manage patients with multiple chronic conditions?

Dr. Fontecha excels at managing patients with multiple chronic conditions. He acts as the quarterback of your care team, coordinating specialists, optimizing medication regimens to prevent interactions, and focusing on your overall well-being.

What is your approach to preventive care for adults?

Dr. Fontecha's approach to preventive care emphasizes a personalized, evidence-based plan. We partner with you to identify and address potential health risks through key screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and cancers (colorectal, breast, prostate), and to encourage healthy lifestyle choices for optimal well-being and healthy aging.

Does Dr. Ernest Fontecha provide care for patients in the hospital?

Dr. Fontecha works closely with our hospitalist team to provide comprehensive care for patients admitted to the hospital. This ensures a smooth transition from our clinic to the hospital and back, maintaining continuity of care throughout your stay.

Can you help manage my type 2 diabetes?

Yes, Dr. Fontecha's practice is equipped to comprehensively manage type 2 diabetes. We will monitor your A1C regularly, prescribe oral medications or insulin as needed, and provide counseling on diet and exercise to help prevent long-term complications affecting your eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Can you help me understand my risk for stroke?

Yes, Dr. Fontecha will conduct a thorough risk assessment, focusing on key preventable factors like managing high blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, treating atrial fibrillation, and counseling on smoking cessation to significantly lower your stroke risk.

I have high blood pressure. What is your treatment philosophy?

Our goal is not just to lower your blood pressure numbers, but to prevent serious health problems like heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. We take a multi-faceted approach, starting with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and adding medication when needed to achieve a personalized, safe blood pressure target.

What is the role of an Internist in managing autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus?

Dr. Fontecha acts as a central coordinator, managing the overall health of patients with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. While a rheumatologist may focus on specialized medications, Dr. Fontecha manages other health aspects, including heart health, kidney function, and bone density, ensuring comprehensive care.

3140 S Falkenburg Rd Ste 302
Riverview FL 33578
Phone: (813) 660-6400

Dr. Ernest Fontecha, 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): 1114230232

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. Internal Medicine Physicians like Dr. Ernest Fontecha 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 internal medicine physician about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.