Melissa Franco, PA is a Gastroenterology Physician Assistant practicing at UHealth Outpatient Center in Miami, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care. Your gastroenterologist is your primary partner in lifelong digestive health, creating personalized plans for prevention, coordinating crucial screenings, and managing the wellness of your entire digestive systemfrom esophagus to liverto keep you feeling your best for years to come. She serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey.
Dr. Melissa PA's approach to care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. As a gastroenterology specialist in Miami, FL, she is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Melissa PA offers consultations in Spanish. Call (305) 243-8644 to schedule.
A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Melissa PA is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.
Dr. PA partners with you in proactive digestive health, offering comprehensive preventive care. She crafts personalized plans for prevention, coordinates essential screenings, and manages the overall wellness of your entire digestive system, from esophagus to liver. This holistic approach ensures you receive the best possible care, promoting long-term digestive health and well-being.
By working together, you and Dr. Melissa PA can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Blue Card High Performance Network HPN
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Choice Plus POS
- Cigna
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- Medica Choice
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate POS
- Nexus Open Access
- Options PPO
- SureFit South Florida
- UnitedHealthCare
A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Melissa PA 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:
- Ampullary Carcinoma: Managing risk factors like smoking and chronic pancreatitis might lower your chance of developing ampullary carcinoma, a cancer in the bile and pancreatic duct junction, emphasizing the importance of preventive health.
- Portal Vein Thrombosis: Portal vein thrombosis is a blood clot in the vein that carries blood from your intestines to your liver, and preventing it involves managing risk factors like liver disease or blood clotting disorders.
- Chronic Inflammatory Diarrhea: Chronic inflammatory diarrhea means your intestines are constantly inflamed, causing persistent loose stools, and early detection through regular checkups can help prevent long-term damage and complications.
- Alcoholic Hepatic Failure: Regular health screenings and conscious alcohol consumption are vital strategies to prevent alcoholic hepatic failure, a serious and potentially fatal consequence of excessive drinking.
- Polyps: Polyps are small growths in your digestive tract that, while often harmless, can sometimes develop into cancer, making regular screenings crucial for early detection and prevention.
- Microscopic Lymphocytic Colitis: Microscopic lymphocytic colitis, a condition affecting the large intestine, might not show obvious symptoms, therefore preventive colonoscopies are vital for early identification and timely treatment to avoid lasting digestive problems.
- Esophageal Stricture: Preventing the progression of esophageal stricture involves proactive management of conditions like acid reflux and regular monitoring with your gastroenterologist.
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. Melissa PA offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:
- ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): An ERCP is a specialized procedure to investigate and address concerns in your biliary system and pancreas, acting as an important early diagnostic tool to prevent major health problems.
- Jejunostomy Tube Placement: Jejunostomy tube placement is a procedure that helps ensure you receive the necessary nutrients and medications directly to your small intestine, proactively improving your health and aiding recovery.
- Colon Cancer Screening: Colon cancer screening helps detect precancerous polyps and early-stage colon cancer, allowing for prompt treatment and improving your chances of survival.
- Liver Function Test: Protecting your liver is key to overall health. A liver function test is a proactive step to identify any abnormalities and helps prevent serious liver conditions.
- Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration: Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a minimally invasive procedure that allows doctors to take a small tissue sample from organs in your abdomen for precise diagnosis, helping to detect and treat problems early.
- Gastroenterology Procedures: Through various procedures, gastroenterologists can thoroughly examine your entire digestive systemfrom your esophagus to your intestines and even your liver and pancreasto identify any underlying problems.
- Pneumatic Dilations (PD): As part of your commitment to digestive wellness, pneumatic dilation addresses issues like strictures, allowing food to pass more easily and preventing discomfort.
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 Gastroenterology in Florida.
Dr. Melissa PA 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 Patient's life:
- By addressing chronic pancreatitis and quitting smoking, a patient significantly lowered their risk of developing ampullary carcinoma, gaining peace of mind about their future health.
- By understanding and proactively managing underlying liver conditions, a patient significantly reduced their risk of portal vein thrombosis, gaining peace of mind about their long-term health.
- By scheduling regular checkups and following a proactive health plan, a patient successfully managed chronic inflammatory diarrhea, significantly reducing the risk of long-term complications and enjoying a healthier, more comfortable lifestyle.
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.
- Primary Location:
UHealth Outpatient Center
1295 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33125
Phone: (305) 243-8644
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Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Gastrointestinal care with Dr. Melissa PA:
- What is a Gastroenterologist?
- A gastroenterologist is a specialist physician trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. They are experts in performing preventive screenings, such as colonoscopies, and provide comprehensive care for digestive health.
- When should I get my first screening colonoscopy?
- For average-risk individuals, routine screening colonoscopies are now recommended to begin at age 45. However, individuals with a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors may need to start earlier. Dr. Melissa PA will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.
- What is a capsule endoscopy?
- A capsule endoscopy is a modern, non-invasive way to examine your small intestine. A small, pill-sized camera is swallowed, taking thousands of pictures as it travels through your digestive tract. This allows us to view areas of the small intestine that are difficult to reach with traditional scopes.
- What is the role of diet in managing IBS?
- Diet is a cornerstone of IBS management. Dr. Melissa PA can help identify trigger foods and may recommend specific dietary approaches, such as the low FODMAP diet, to significantly reduce symptoms like bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.
- What are gallstones?
- Gallstones are small, hard deposits that can form in the gallbladder. Many people have them without any problems. They only become a concern if they cause blockages, leading to pain. Dr. Melissa PA can help diagnose this issue.
- What are some common signs of liver problems I should watch for?
- Some common signs of liver problems include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), persistent fatigue, abdominal swelling, and unexplained dark urine. If you experience any of these symptoms, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Melissa PA for a thorough evaluation.
- What is the difference between a colonoscopy and an upper endoscopy (EGD)?
- A colonoscopy examines the large intestine (colon) to screen for colon cancer, while an upper endoscopy (EGD) examines the esophagus, stomach, and the beginning of the small intestine to diagnose issues like heartburn or difficulty swallowing.
- Can hemorrhoids be treated without surgery?
- Yes, most hemorrhoids can be effectively managed with lifestyle and diet changes. For persistent internal hemorrhoids, Dr. Melissa PA can perform simple, painless in-office procedures like hemorrhoid banding.
UHealth Outpatient Center
1295 NW 14th St
Miami FL 33125
Phone: (305) 243-8644
Melissa Franco, PA 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): 1801161559
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. Gastroenterology like Dr. Melissa PA 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 gastroenterology about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.