Dr. Odette Mercado-Chebly, MD

Dr. Odette Mercado-Chebly, MD is an Internal Medicine Physician practicing at her clinic in Lakeland, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Internal Medicine care. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices 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. She is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where you, the patient, feel empowered to take an active role in your health journey.

Dr. Odette Mercado-Chebly, MD is an internist in Lakeland, FL, affiliated with Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She is accepting new patients, and she serves adults (18 years and older). She earned her medical degree from Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena Escuela De Medicina and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Mercado-Chebly is dedicated to creating preventive health plans tailored to each individual's needs, and she's eager to welcome you to begin your proactive health journey. Please call (863) 687-1321 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Mercado-Chebly provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Odette Mercado-Chebly 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. Odette Mercado-Chebly 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. Odette Mercado-Chebly 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:

• Acute Lower Respiratory Infection: Catching a lower respiratory infection early can prevent it from becoming serious and reduce the risk of long-term lung problems.
• Heart Disease: Managing risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol through proactive healthcare is crucial for preventing or delaying heart disease.
• Limb Swelling: Don't ignore limb swelling; it could be a warning sign of a developing chronic disease, and early intervention through preventive care can significantly improve outcomes.
• Lactose Intolerance: Preventing the discomfort and inconvenience of lactose intolerance symptoms improves your overall health and enables you to participate fully in social activities involving food.
• Obesity: Early detection of obesity allows for timely interventions, such as lifestyle changes and medical support, to reduce the risk of serious complications.
• Acute Upper Respiratory Infection: Preventing the spread of acute upper respiratory infections protects your overall health and reduces the risk of complications down the line, highlighting the importance of preventive care.
• Hemorrhoids: Managing hemorrhoids through dietary changes, increased fiber intake, and regular exercise helps prevent future occurrences and minimizes discomfort, enhancing your long-term well-being.
• Lipid Disorders: Managing your lipid levels is key to preventing heart attacks, strokes, and other life-threatening complications later in life.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Managing DVT effectively involves working closely with your internist to minimize your risk of blood clots and long-term health problems.
• Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Early detection of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is vital, as prompt treatment can prevent potentially fatal blood clots from traveling to your lungs.
• Boil: Boils are often caused by bacteria entering hair follicles, so maintaining clean skin and avoiding sharing personal items helps prevent them.
• Cluster Headache: Through preventive strategies like identifying triggers and utilizing appropriate medications, you can significantly reduce the impact of cluster headaches on your daily life.

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

• Diabetes Screening: Don't wait for symptoms to appear; proactive diabetes screening enables early diagnosis and management, improving your quality of life.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections Screening: Take a proactive step toward better sexual health with STI testing – early detection allows for prompt treatment and minimizes the risk of spreading infection.
• Liver Function Test: Take charge of your health with a liver function test; it screens for liver damage and helps prevent serious liver diseases.
• Cardiovascular Stress Test: Taking proactive steps to protect your heart health, a cardiovascular stress test helps your doctor screen for underlying heart conditions before they cause significant problems.
• Cholesterol Screening: Protecting your future starts with a simple cholesterol screening, which helps assess your risk for heart disease and allows for early intervention.
• 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.
• Immunization Administration: Schedule your immunizations to proactively minimize your risk of infection and maintain optimal well-being.
• Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer: Protecting your future, a fecal occult blood test is a crucial preventive measure that can identify colorectal cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages.
• Hepatitis Screening: A hepatitis screening is a simple blood test that helps detect hepatitis B and C viruses early, allowing for timely treatment and preventing serious liver damage.
• Abscess or Fluid Incision and Drainage: Taking proactive steps with incision and drainage helps clear infections, preventing further complications and promoting faster healing.
• 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.
• Thyroid Screening: Ensure your thyroid is functioning optimally with a screening test; early detection of thyroid disorders can significantly impact your overall 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. Odette Mercado-Chebly 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 proactively managing their respiratory health and understanding preventative measures, a patient significantly reduced their risk of a serious acute lower respiratory infection, leading to a more confident and healthy lifestyle.
• By proactively managing cholesterol and blood pressure, a patient significantly reduced their risk of heart disease, gaining peace of mind and confidence in their long-term health.
• Recognizing the subtle signs of limb swelling and engaging in a proactive health plan allowed a patient to identify and address underlying conditions early, significantly reducing their risk of developing chronic disease complications. This proactive approach fostered peace of mind and empowered them to take control of 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. Odette Mercado-Chebly:

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

An internist, or internal medicine physician like Dr. Mercado-Chebly, is a primary care doctor who specializes in adult health. While family physicians care for patients of all ages, internists have extensive training in diagnosing and treating the diverse health issues common in adults.

How does Dr. Odette Mercado-Chebly manage patients with multiple chronic conditions?

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

What is your approach to preventive care for adults?

Dr. Mercado-Chebly's approach to preventive care emphasizes a personalized, evidence-based plan tailored to each patient's unique needs. This includes key screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and cancers (colorectal, breast, prostate), working in partnership to minimize health risks and promote healthy aging.

Can you help manage my type 2 diabetes?

Yes, we can help manage your type 2 diabetes. Our comprehensive approach includes regular A1c monitoring, prescribing medications (oral or insulin) as needed, and counseling on diet and exercise to prevent long-term complications affecting your eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Do I need a cholesterol test, and what do the numbers mean?

Cholesterol screening is crucial for preventing heart disease and stroke. Dr. Mercado-Chebly will order the test and thoroughly explain the results (LDL, HDL, triglycerides) and their implications for your personal risk.

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

Dr. Mercado-Chebly coordinates your overall health, managing aspects like heart health, kidney function, and bone density, while a rheumatologist focuses on specialized medications. This holistic approach ensures comprehensive care for your autoimmune disease.

How do you approach medication management, especially for patients on many prescriptions?

Dr. Mercado-Chebly carefully reviews all medications, a process called polypharmacy management. This ensures potential drug interactions are identified, unnecessary prescriptions are eliminated, and the treatment plan is as simple and effective as possible.

What happens during a 'Welcome to Medicare' or annual wellness visit?

A "Welcome to Medicare" or annual wellness visit is a vital opportunity to establish a proactive health plan. It involves creating a personalized prevention schedule, reviewing all medications, assessing for health risks, and ensuring all of your healthcare is coordinated and effective.

1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd
Lakeland FL 33805
Phone: (863) 687-1321

Dr. Odette Mercado-Chebly, 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): 1689647083

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. Odette Mercado-Chebly 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.