Dr. Joyce Cortes, MD

Dr. Joyce Cortes, MD is an Internal Medicine Physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at AdventHealth Well 65+ Altamonte Springs in Altamonte Springs, FL. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under 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. She serves adults (18 years and older) and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (407) 349-7917 to schedule.

Dr. Cortes completed rigorous medical training from recognized institutions, including her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, where she earned the American Medical Women's Association Glasgow-Rubin Certificate of Commendation. She then completed an internship and a residency in Internal Medicine at Loma Linda University Medical Center, graduating in 2004. Dr. Cortes is Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Her care philosophy centers on proactive health management, and she is fluent in both English and Spanish, offering consultations in Spanish. This distinguishes her as a valuable resource for a diverse patient population.

Dr. Cortes is deeply committed to providing exceptional care, combining her extensive training and experience with a focus on preventive medicine. She understands the importance of proactive health strategies for individuals of all ages. Her dedication to comprehensive care, combined with her fluency in Spanish, makes her a valuable partner in your health journey. She is a dedicated internal medicine physician, ready to welcome new patients and provide a proactive approach to their health needs.

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

• Hyperkalemia: Hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels in your blood, can be prevented through regular blood tests and careful management of underlying conditions like kidney disease, helping to avoid serious heart problems.
• Reflux Esophagitis: Understanding your risk factors and adopting preventative measures, like dietary changes, can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of reflux esophagitis episodes.
• Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Having familial hypercholesterolemia means you're born with a higher chance of developing dangerously high cholesterol, putting you at greater risk for heart attacks and strokes; regular checkups and proactive treatment are crucial.
• Chronic Sinusitis: Preventing chronic sinusitis from becoming a long-term issue involves identifying and addressing risk factors like allergies and environmental irritants to protect your respiratory system.
• Hypertension: Hypertension often has no symptoms, highlighting the importance of proactive blood pressure monitoring to catch it early and reduce long-term health risks.
• Muscle Weakness: Managing muscle weakness effectively, often through lifestyle changes and medical intervention, helps maintain your independence and prevents further decline in physical function.
• Allergic Rhinitis: Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is a common condition that can be managed effectively with early diagnosis and treatment to prevent worsening symptoms and long-term respiratory problems.
• Arthritis: Through comprehensive preventive care, your internist can help you develop a personalized plan to manage arthritis, reducing pain and improving your overall health.
• Allergic Conjunctivitis: Early identification of allergic conjunctivitis helps prevent long-term eye damage and significantly improves your quality of life by reducing symptoms.
• Seborrheic Dermatitis: Regular skin checks and early treatment of seborrheic dermatitis are part of a holistic approach to preventive care, helping to maintain healthy skin and prevent associated complications.
• Wheezing: Wheezing is often a symptom requiring medical evaluation; early identification and management by your internist can improve your respiratory health and quality of life.
• Diabetes Type 1: Preventive care for type 1 diabetes involves working closely with your doctor to develop a personalized plan that addresses blood sugar control, nutrition, and regular health monitoring to maintain overall well-being.

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

• 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): As a key part of your comprehensive health assessment, an arterial blood gas test helps your doctor assess your body's acid-base balance and identify potential problems affecting your breathing or metabolism.
• Care Coordination for Complex Conditions and Procedures: Simplify your healthcare experience by having one team coordinate all aspects of your complex medical needs, leading to better health management.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): Taking proactive steps for your heart health starts with an EKG, a quick and painless test that screens for irregular heartbeats and other heart conditions.
• Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer: This easy test checks for hidden blood in your stool, an early indicator of colorectal cancer, giving you the chance to take action and protect your health.
• Immunization Administration: Schedule your immunizations to proactively minimize your risk of infection and maintain optimal well-being.
• Wellness Examination: Take charge of your health with a wellness examination; it's a comprehensive assessment that screens for various diseases and conditions, enabling early diagnosis and treatment.

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. Joyce Cortes 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 regularly monitoring potassium levels and carefully managing underlying kidney conditions, a patient ensured stable potassium levels, avoiding potential heart complications and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
• By understanding their risk factors and making dietary adjustments, a patient significantly reduced the frequency and severity of reflux esophagitis episodes, leading to a more comfortable and enjoyable daily life.
• By adhering to a proactive cholesterol management plan, a patient significantly lowered their risk of developing heart disease, gaining peace of mind and control over their health.

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 Internal Medicine care with Dr. Joyce Cortes:

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

An internist, like Dr. Cortes, is a primary care doctor specializing in adult health. While family physicians care for patients of all ages, internists have extensive training in diagnosing and treating the many medical conditions affecting adults.

How does Dr. Joyce Cortes manage patients with multiple chronic conditions?

Dr. Cortes excels at managing patients with multiple chronic conditions. She acts as the quarterback of your care team, coordinating specialists, managing medications to avoid interactions, and focusing on your overall well-being.

What is your approach to preventive care for adults?

Dr. Cortes's approach to preventive care is personalized and evidence-based, partnering with patients to minimize health risks and promote healthy aging. This includes key screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and cancers (colorectal, breast, prostate), tailored to individual needs and risk factors. We work together to create a plan that fits your lifestyle and goals.

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 reach a safe, personalized blood pressure target. This personalized plan is tailored to your specific needs.

I was told I have 'fatty liver disease.' What does that mean?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is when fat builds up in your liver, often due to conditions like obesity or diabetes. Dr. Cortes can help you understand lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and diet, to prevent further liver issues.

I have a complex or undiagnosed set of symptoms. Can you help?

Yes, internists are experts in complex diagnostics. Dr. Cortes excels at investigating challenging symptoms, ordering the appropriate advanced tests, and putting the pieces of the puzzle together to reach an accurate diagnosis.

Can you help manage my type 2 diabetes?

Yes, Dr. Cortes's practice is equipped to comprehensively manage type 2 diabetes. We offer regular A1c monitoring, personalized medication plans (oral or insulin), and detailed counseling on diet and exercise to prevent long-term complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Can you help me understand my risk for stroke?

Yes, Dr. Cortes 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.

AdventHealth Well 65+ Altamonte Springs
303 E Altamonte Dr Ste 1000
Altamonte Springs FL 32701
Phone: (407) 349-7917

Dr. Joyce Cortes, 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): 1881883478

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. Joyce Cortes 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.